Acts 6
Big idea: Multiplying growth produces the church's first internal dispute, which the Twelve resolve by protecting both the priority of the word and the care of the neglected — and the Spirit-filled Seven they appoint immediately push the witness further: Stephen's irresistible wisdom draws the manufactured charge that will occasion the book's longest speech.
The false witnesses' brief — blasphemy 'against this holy place and the law,' Jesus of Nazareth destroying the place and changing the customs of Moses (6:13–14) — sets the exact agenda for ch. 7: Stephen's whole speech is a history of the place, the law, and the deliverers Israel refused.
6:1–7 — The Seven appointed
Growth opens the community's first fault line: the Hellenists complain that their widows are neglected in the daily service. The Twelve refuse to forsake the word of God to serve tables, and have the multitude select seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom they appoint with prayer and laid-on hands. The result is a triple growth notice — the word increases, disciples greatly multiply, and a great company of priests obey the faith.
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. 2 The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” 5 These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
6:8–15 — Stephen accused
Stephen, full of faith and power, performs great wonders and signs among the people. Diaspora synagogue members dispute with him but 'weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke' — so, losing the argument, they secretly induce witnesses, stir up people, elders, and scribes, and bring him before the council charged with speaking against 'this holy place and the law.' Every eye fastened on the accused sees a face like the face of an angel.
8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. 10 They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council, 13 and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).