This Week with the Word

The Uniform Lesson for October 12
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

Throughout the book of Acts, Luke pauses a number of times to report on the growth of the church—once in today’s lesson
(v. 7; see also 1:15; 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:31). We are not sure exactly how much time elapsed between the events recorded at the end of chapter 5 and the growth problem described in today’s text.

A Serious Problem Solved/Acts 6:1-7

Verse 1. The Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The Grecian Jews (sometimes called Hellenists) were members of the church in Jerusalem who were foreign-born, having had Greek education. The Hebraic Jews spoke Aramaic and were mostly natives of Palestine. Note that Luke does not say the murmuring arose among the widows, but because of them. Some deserving saints might easily be overlooked unintentionally in the fast-growing Christian community. From the beginning, the Christians gave generously to help those in need (see Acts 4:32-35). Widows were naturally an integral part of this ministry (compare 1 Timothy 5:3-16).

Verses 2-4. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” Bringing food to hungry people is certainly God’s work, but the apostles’ top priority was to preach and teach the Word. Because the apostles didn’t have time to do the job themselves didn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. The apostles turned the selection of these servant-leaders over to all the disciples. And will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. Both the spiritual and physical needs of the people could thus be met. The word ministry comes from the same root as wait on tables (Acts 6:2). Elsewhere the term is used when speaking of deacons (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13). Many Bible students feel that “the Seven” were the first deacons in the early church.

Verse 5. This proposal pleased the whole group. Each of those selected had a Greek name. This made clear the people’s desire to treat everyone alike. Other than Stephen, only Philip is followed in detail later in the book (Acts 8:5-9; 21:8, 9). Both did not limit their work to waiting on tables, but also were preaching and evangelizing.

Verse 6. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. In what must have been much like a modern ordination service, the seven were set apart for their new work.

Verse 7. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. A harmonious church is a growing church.

A New Preacher Challenged/Acts 6:8-15

Verse 8. Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Only the apostles were reported to have worked miracles prior to this. It appears that the power for Stephen to do so came with the laying on of the apostles’ hands (v. 6). God confirmed the truth of the message by such miracles (see Mark 16:17-20).

Verses 9, 10. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. The Libertines were Jews, once slaves of Rome, now set free and settled in Jerusalem. Bible scholars suggest that young Saul of Tarsus was probably in the crowd, and tried to out-argue Stephen. This might help explain Saul’s role at Stephen’s stoning (see Acts 8:1).

Verse 11. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” The Pharisees attacked Stephen as the Sadducees had attacked Peter and John (Acts 4).

Verses 12-14. So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified . . . “We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” The Jewish leaders reverted to these tactics when trying to have Jesus killed (see Matthew 26:59-61). Stephen could have referred to the words of Jesus (John 2:19-21) that were also misinterpreted by his enemies.

Verse 15. All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Stephen stood poised, calm, and ready to die, just like his Master had. J. W. McGarvey wrote, “He was arraigned on a similar charge; he had the same judges; and he knew perfectly well that the court had come together not to try him, but to condemn him.” The church continued to grow even after his death. |L

Sam E. Stone is the former editor of Christian Standard. He continues his writing and speaking ministry from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.