Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying in number, there was grumbling from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.” 5 And this word pleased the whole congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they stood before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. Acts 6: 1-7 LSB
Acts 6: 1-7 Selecting Men of Integrity
13 Now it happened the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. 14 And Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, so he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a matter, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.” 17 And Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. 18 You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19 Now listen to my voice: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the matters to God; 20 then warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they shall go and the work they shall do. 21 But you shall select excellent men out of all the people, those who fear God, men of truth, those who hate greedy gain; and you shall place these men over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And they will judge the people at all times. And it will be that every major matter they will bring to you, but every minor matter they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”
24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses chose excellent men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all times; the difficult matter they would bring to Moses, but every minor matter they themselves would judge. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way into his own land. Exodus 18: 13-27 LSB
Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying in number - The church was growing rapidly, and with it the responsibilities. Twelve was no longer a great number in comparison to the need. I grew up in big churches, even mega churches, and so my preference now is a smaller church, as far as the local congregation meeting place, but that is preference. The examples I saw were fraught with many problems, relying on persona, programs, prestige, but having all manner of bad doctrine including a watered down gospel. The Bible itself took a back seat to the temperament of the attendees and the culture. People came to have their ears tickled and the "preachers" accommodated. There are some big churches that break the mold though, like John Macarthur's Church, Grace, in California. It seems to grow despite not following any marketing strategy, instead just preaching, teaching the Word, and then following what it says, relying on the Holy Spirit to change hearts and bring people in.
…10For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. 12You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.… Isaiah 55: 10-12
…16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.… Matthew 16: 16-18
V. 1b There was grumbling from the Hellenists against the Hebrews - I think here the main difference is language and some cultural divisions. I included a link below that talks about the Hellenization that went on during the Intertestamental period by force from Antiochus Epiphanes and Jews and Samaritans who had shifted to Greek culture. That included very violent attacks against orthodox Judaism, including force feeding the priests pork in the temple, desecrating the temple, and holding a sort of naked Olympics outside the temple. There are obviously some differences and divisions here in Acts, but apparently not to that extent. Pride finds all sorts of dumb reasons to vaunt itself, and it could be as simple as, "I'm more Jew than you, you ain't black if you don't vote for Joe Biden, or I have lived in Jerusalem longer." Whatever the definable divisions were here, most likely Hebrew speaking vs. Greek, we are all one in Christ, so don't make much of what God isn't making much of. You can go to hell speaking any language, being born in any place, or raised up in any culture. Being found in Christ makes you a new creature, that's what makes you special.
Hellenistic Jews - You will encounter considerable variation in the commentaries on the identification of this group, but suffice it to say there is not much factual information available. Most commentaries differentiate between these two groups on linguistic and geographic grounds. These are Greek-speaking Jewish believers from Jewish settlements outside Israel (from the Dispersion, the Diaspora). Robertson suggests "These Hellenists had points of contact with the Gentile world without having gone over to the habits of the Gentiles."
Hellenistic (1675)(Hellenistes from hellenizo = to hellenize) refers to a Jew by birth or religion who can speak Greek only and not a Semitic language, either Hebrew or Aramaic. Hellenistes used chiefly of foreign Jews and proselytes whether converted to Christianity or not (2x - Acts 6:1; 9:29; one additional use in Textus Receptus - Acts 11:20; no uses in the Septuagint).
Gilbrant gives a lengthy discussion of Hellenistes -
With the conquests of Alexander the Great in the Fourth Century B.C. and the subsequent rise of the Roman Empire, the Mediterranean world had become relatively unified through easier travel, common language, and shared elements of culture. For purposes of commerce many Jews migrated to commercial centers all around the Mediterranean Sea. As a result differences developed between them and Palestinian Jews. Even though they generally held onto their religious heritage, Jews of the Dispersion adopted the language and— in varying degrees—the customs of Graeco-Roman culture; they became “Hellenized.” This background sets the context for the meaning of Hellēnistēs. The traditional view has been that Jew versus Greek, or Gentile, distinguished racial and religious matters; but Hebrew versus “Hellenist” distinguished languages and customs between Jews at home and abroad (cf. Lightfoot, Philippians, pp.146-148). Hebrews spoke Hebrew (Aramaic) as their mother tongue while “Hellenists” used Greek and/or some other language to which they “were born” (Acts 2:6,8,11).
The Hebrew-Hellenist distinction also tended to correlate with Palestinian Jew and Dispersion Jew. That correlation was not absolute, of course, since in Jerusalem itself there was one synagogue (some think five) apparently for Hellenists (Acts 6:8-15; cf. 6:1-5), the one from which Stephen—and perhaps Saul and Barnabas—originated (Acts 6:36,37; 7:58-81; 11:20,22; 15:36-41). Jews raised outside Palestine might return to their ancestral land, and Jews raised in Palestine might emigrate elsewhere but diligently observe the law of Moses, the traditions of the elders, and Jewish social customs. Paul’s family could be an example since he called himself a “Hebrew of Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5) despite being born in Tarsus of Cilicia. Hellēnistēs would typically refer to a Jew outside of Palestine, though the word itself stressed which language he spoke. - Precept Austin
V. 1c Because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food - So this turns out to be a real issue, and a stain, because they not only address it, but in surprising fashion, none of the men picked have Hebrew names, all are Greek. This is fascinating, because the men weren't trusted based on the synagogue they came out of, nor the origin of their names, but solely based upon their godliness. There is a stronger commitment here to removing any blemish from Christ's own body than to perception; it is meritorious in the greatest possible sense. During the Apostolic age the Bible was also being finished with the New Testament.
…27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.… Galatians 3: 27-29
V. 2 It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the Word of God in order to serve tables - Moses was caught in a similar situation in Exodus, being the voice of God to the people, bringing His words before them, but also having to handle many civil duties, and it was too much for one man to bear. The emphasis of the body is the Word, the Word is what brings life, our knowledge of God, and therefore informs our relationship to God. It is where we find the gospel, form sound doctrine and also bring up our children. What men know of God outside of His word is ill informed, and quickly becomes an idol. We can see the majesty of God in Creation, but the Bible tells us Who the Creator is, Who Christ is, and who we are.
1Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises. 2I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else. 3On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.… Psalm 138: 1-3
…10With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. 11I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. 12Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.… Psalm 119: 10-12
…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.… 2 Timothy 3: 15-17
V. 3 Select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom - Note, the Apostles make a point about the necessity of their calling to teach the Scriptures, be the guardians of the gospel, but they still want to address this issue. It's an important one, taught to them by Christ Himself. The men that are chosen not only have good reputations, but are also full of the Spirit, meaning genuine believers, fruitful trees one might say. It is important in any church position that it be filled with those with whom we are equally yoked. The Holy Scriptures outline and define the qualifications that must be met of those who would aspire to roles of service in the church. See links below.
…26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. 27Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1: 26-27
…26When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home. 28After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”… John 19: 26-28
V. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and the service of the Word - A lesson from the pillars of the Church, if prayer was so important to them then who are we to neglect it? Prayer does not direct God, but careful study and prayer bring us into God's direction.
…16Rejoice at all times. 17Pray without ceasing. 18Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.… 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
V. 5 And they chose Stephen - It says he was full of the Holy Spirit, and so a logical first choice for such a team. He is the first Deacon and also a gifted preacher as we will see.
V. 6 And after praying they laid their hands on them - This is not just for show; this is as sobering as it gets.
21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality. 22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.… 1 Timothy 5: 21-23
V. 7 A great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith - They had a change of heart, those who thought they were in the know had to realize they were nothing without Christ. "We watched our Messiah be crucified, and cheered it on." Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic priest, came to the realization of his church's bad teaching and left Roman Catholicism.
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