Atos 6
A.T. Robertson · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 6
Robertson - Where were Peter and John at this crisis? Apparently Stephen stands alone before the Sanhedrin as Jesus did. But he was not alone for he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). There was little that Peter and John could have done if they had been present. Gamaliel did not interpose this time for the Pharisees were behind the charges against Stephen, false though they were as Gamaliel could have found out. A Face Shining for the Lord - I cannot tell you the privilege it is to go forth as Christ's messenger. I have lately returned from a visit to China, and it has been, not an occasional thing, but quite the usual thing, to find the missionaries full of blessing and boiling over. One who reached China about a year ago was not there very long before the natives gave him a name — "Mr. Glory-face" — because his face was always shining for the Lord. He left a large business in which over two thousand hands were employed. He left a very precious work for God, in which he had been happy and much blessed. But what was his testimony? "The Lord promised me," he said, "a hundredfold more than all I left for Him. He has given me a very large hundredfold. It has been the best investment I have ever made." (T. Hudson Taylor.) Joseph Parker - The face is made every day by its morning prayer, and by its morning look out of windows which open upon Heaven. Character Seen in the Face - Phillips Brooks It was once said of a Christian man that “His face was a thanksgiving for past mercies and a love-letter to all mankind.” A little boy going home one day, exulting in the fact that he had met Mr. Pennefather, was asked by his mother, "What did he say to you?" "He said nothing," was the child's reply, "but he beamed upon me." His singularly attractive power, however, was not confined to children. An importunate beggar, who was one day telling his tale of want to a party of travellers, suddenly caught sight of Mr. Pennefather, and prefaced his appeal with the exclamation, "You, sir, with heaven in your face !" It is said that Raphael, the great master of the beautiful, in sketching any figure or group of figures, gave his first attention to the drawing and modelling of the limbs, adding the draperies only after he had satisfied himself as to these. By this method he succeeded in imparting to them an air of inimitable ease and truthfulness. In like manner, grace, the character-creating principle, begins from within, gradually but surely harmonising the outward man with the laws of the new nature, and so producing that "beauty of holiness" which is so indescribable yet so familiar to us all. (A. F. Muir, M. A.) See also Man or Angel An American minister quaintly said, "Many Christians are like chestnuts: very pleasant nuts, but enclosed in very prickly burs, which require various dealings of nature and her grip of frost before the kernel is disclosed." This reminds me of an incident in my experience. Some years ago, when walking with a dear friend in the West-end of London, we happened to meet a lady truly eminent for her good works, but, alas I possessing a stern, sombre expression of countenance. I remarked to my friend, "That lady is a very earnest Christian." She replied, "I would not like to make her acquaintance, judging from her face." Here was one of Christ's servants repelling instead of attracting to Himself. Truly it has been said, "Gloominess, irritability, discontent, and touchiness are four things more catching than cholera.". ILLUSTRATION OF ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE IMPACT OF A "ANGELIC" LIFE FACE - Judson's Life: An Aroma of Christ was "The sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him (Jesus) in every place." (2 Cor 2:14) Many years ago when the great missionary Adoniram Judson was home on furlough, he passed through the city of Stonington, Connecticut. A young boy playing about the wharves at the time of Judson’s arrival was struck by the man’s appearance. Never before had he seen such a light on any human face. He ran up the street to a minister to ask if he knew who the stranger was. The minister hurried back with him, but became so absorbed in conversation with Judson that he forgot all about the impatient youngster standing near him. Many years afterward that boy—who could never get away from the influence of that wonderful face—became the famous preacher Henry Clay Trumbull (Read The life story of Henry Clay Trumbull, missionary, army chaplain, editor, author - 1905) (See also his fascinating book The Blood Covenant). In a book of memoirs he penned a chapter entitled: "What a Boy Saw in the Face of Adoniram Judson." That lighted countenance had changed his life. Even as flowers thrive when they bend to the light, so shining, radiant faces come to those who constantly turn toward Christ! (Read the original story in context of H C Trumbull's life story) LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE DEAR DISCIPLE OF CHRIST! Adoniram Judson once wrote "A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity… If it has been a useless life, it can never be improved. Such will stand forever and ever. The same may be said of each day. When it is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it will exhibit forever… Each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will affect our everlasting destiny (Note: Not in loss of salvation but of rewards - cp 1Co 3:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, Jn 15:5, 2Co 5:10-note, cp 1Ti 4:7, 8-note). No day will lose its share of influence in determining where shall be our seat in heaven. How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness! It will then be too late to mend its appearance. It is too late to mend the days that are past. The future is in our power. Let us, then, each morning, resolve to send the day into eternity in such a garb as we shall wish it to wear forever. And at night let us reflect that one more day is irrevocably gone, indelibly marked. (See page 33-34 of A memoir of the life and labors of the Rev. Adoniram Judson) Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-60 Standing Ovation By Jennifer Benson Schuldt Look! I see … the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! —Acts 7:56 Susan Boyle spent most of her adult life living with her cat Pebbles, caring for her aging mother, and singing in church. She certainly didn’t look like a musical superstar. That’s probably why the audience laughed at this unassuming middle-aged woman before she performed in a talent show. Undeterred, Susan faced the unfriendly crowd, sang beautifully, and went on to receive a standing ovation. Stephen was confronted by a hostile crowd in the days of the early church (Acts 6–7). A panel of religious authorities listened to lying witnesses accuse him of blasphemy (Acts 6:13). Stephen responded by speaking the truth of God’s Word, which reinforced his faith in Christ. At the end of his speech, he said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (7:56). Then the crowd stoned him (v.58). Jesus, who was watching from heaven, welcomed Stephen home. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long; This day the noise of battle—the next the victor’s song. To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be: He with the King of glory shall reign eternally. —Duffield If you meet opposition, maybe it shows that you are doing something that counts. when Moses came down from Mount Sinai .. the skin of his face shone Exodus 34:29 The late G. Campbell Morgan once told of a factory girl who. after she was saved, simply radiated Christian joy. One day while waiting for a train at York station she slowly walked up and down the platform to pass the time. A highly cultured lady, sitting nearby, observed her closely. Finally, impressed by her sweet face, she called to her, "Excuse me, Miss, but what makes you so happy?" The girl replied, "Was I looking happy? I didn't know it showed, but I certainly am. I'll be glad to tell you why!" She then witnessed to the woman concerning the wonders of salvation and the joy it brings to the heart, and eventually led her to a personal acceptance of Jesus Christ. This girl wasn't trying to look happy. Her face just naturally reflected the joy of her soul. Moses also did not know his skin was shining with a celestial glow when he came down from the Mount. It glistened because he had been in close touch with God. The same was true of Stephen the day he laid down his life to become the first martyr of the Christian church (Acts 6:15). His face lit up with angelic glory because of his close relation-ship to Jesus Christ. You don't have to tell how you live each day, You don't have to say if you work or pray, A tried, true barometer serves in its place; However you live, it will show in your face! —Anon. The light of God's Son in your heart will put His sunshine on your face! —Bosch Acts 6:9-15 A Daily Beauty By Vernon C. Grounds All who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. —Acts 6:15 When you look in a mirror, what do you see? Do you see a lovely reflection? A handsome face? Or do you see a plain or unattractive countenance? We want to give those who behold us what my friend called an aesthetic blessing. But what about the beauty of holiness? Are others blessed by the beauty that flows through us from Christ? A distinguished Bible scholar of the 19th century, J. B. Lightfoot, was described by one of his devoted students as “startlingly ugly: a stout little man with a grotesque figure and a squint.” But that same student also said that Lightfoot was “the best man I have ever encountered, and I say this deliberately after the experience of many years. In a day or two … his face appeared the most beautiful and lovable thing imaginable.” When Stephen was brought before the Jewish council for interrogation, “they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke” (Acts 6:10). As he was being accused, they “saw his face as the face of an angel” (v.15). Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me, All His wonderful passion and purity; O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine Till the beauty of Jesus is seen in me. —Orsborn Nothing can dim the beauty that shines from within. Acts 6:15 UNDENIABLE EVIDENCE And all that sat in the council … saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Someone gave me a card the other day with this question printed on it, "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" As I thought of this I couldn't help wondering how many enemies of the Gospel would testify that I was guilty of witnessing to them concerning my Savior? How many wicked people would say that my godly conduct and Christlike spirit put them to shame? Would unsaved individuals charge that the influence of my life constitutes a menace to their cause? Our suggested Scripture reading (Acts 6) presents Stephen on trial because of his devotion to Jesus Christ, and the evidence was indisputable. In fact, the reaspn for his arrest was that his adversaries had become infuriated when "they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke." They had been silenced by his arguments and confounded by the Christlike attitude he evidenced. They hated him so much they resorted to bribery and perjury to destroy him. However, as they looked upon him, their faces angry and their eyes flashing, they saw Stephen's countenance glowing as if reflecting the very presence of God. This radiance was too much for his antagonists, and they soon hustled him out to the stoning ground. One of their number, Saul of Tarsus, however, never forgot that scene. The remembrance of it burned in his soul until he accepted Jesus as his Master and, like Stephen, became a Spirit-filled Christian witness. Has someone seen Christ in you today? Christian, look to your heart, I pray. The world, with a criticizing view, Has watched, but did it see Jesus in you? —Hopkins
Atos 6
Robertson observes "The new freedom from the intercession of Gamaliel was bearing rich fruit." I would add, probably not the effect he would have hoped for as an orthodox Jew! Increasing (rapidly multiplied - NLT)(present tense)(4129)(plethuno from plethos = fullness from pletho = to fill) means to be made full, grow, increase or be multiplied. In the active sense it means to cause to increase, to cause to become greater in number, to multiply (increase in number especially greatly). W A Criswell makes an excellent point that "This incident was not primarily a case of the early church solving its social problems, for it solved the problem with dispatch. The episode points to the primacy of the ministry of "the word of God" (Acts 6:2), which always kept the death and resurrection of Christ in the foreground: the scarlet thread through Scripture, or the suffering of Christ for sins and victory over death, which came immediately in its wake. (Believers Study Bible) WHERE THERE IS GROWTH THERE ARE PROBLEMS A complaint arose - It was like a distant rumble. A low, muffled noise came from the Hellenistic Jews. It is like the sound one hears from a large crowd before a service or play begins. It is not "a loud outspoken dissatisfaction, but that undertone murmuring which one sometimes hears in the lobbies of our present day churches where certain cliques are “having it out,” so to speak, among themselves." Paul used this word (goggusmos) commanding the members of the church at Philippi to "Do (present imperative) all things without grumbling or disputing" (Php 2:14+), which suggests there were differences of opinion among the Philippians but they had not yet risen to the point of loud, overt dissension which is a precursor of division. Murmuring needs to be cut off at the head! Of course the only way to obey Paul's command to "do all things without grumbling...." is to continually rely on the Spirit (cf these seven are to be "full of the Spirit" - Acts 6:3) rather than our "default mode," the flesh! Only the Spirit can continually give us the (divine) desire and (supernatural) power to not grumble or complain (see Php 2:13NLT+). Have you grumbled, murmured or complained this past week? About your church? About your spouse, etc? If so, confess, repent and be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18+) so that you can walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16+) and not fulfill the desire of the flesh (which is to grumble). Paul gives another solution for not murmuring - "in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Th 5:18+, cf continual praise Heb 13:15+) Beloved, we cannot murmur and give thanks or praise to God at the same time! And as discussed below, remember that when you murmur, you are murmuring against God! Did you know that the Bible ranks murmuring in the same category as idolatry, fornication and tempting God? Read Paul's words in 1 Cor 10:7-10. Note what God did to murmurers in the Old Testament! In the present context it appears the Hellenistic Jews had a legitimate complaint, but Luke's use of goggusmos indicates that they voiced their legitimate complaint in an "illegitimate" way -- murmuring! Complaint (1112)(goggusmos from goggúzo = to say anything in a low tone) is an onomatopoetic word (words that "sound" out their meaning) which means to speak privately in a low tone, usually expressing dissatisfaction or discontent. Grumbling, murmuring, complaining. Robertson says this describes "secret grumblings that buzz away till they are heard." Fruchtenbaum says goggusmos "means “whispering” and emphasizes a smoldering discontent, which, if it was not handled, can very easily flame up and produce a split in a Church. What was happening in this infant church was an undercurrent of constant, secret whispering that finally grew loud enough for the apostles to become aware of the problem and nip it in the bud! Goggusmos has its most concentrated use the LXX in the passages in Exodus and Numbers that record the sad episodes of Israel's grumbling (Ex 16:7, 8, 9, 12; Nu 17:5, 10). Notice that when we grumble, we are in essence grumbling against the Lord! Woe! Moses said, “This will happen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the LORD hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.” In the papyri it occurs in a letter from a doctor to his mother in which he says he has not been able to send his brother to her because he could not leave the patients, “lest there be some murmuring against us. ” Adrian Rogers says that " Murmuring is a half-uttered, half-concealed complaint—not that a person comes out and says to the right person, at the right time, in the right spirit, for the right reason, that something needs to be done. Well, that's always acceptable, and that's always good—when a person comes in the right spirit, at the right time, to the right person, and for the right motive. But murmuring... you know what murmuring is? Now, the Bible says: "Do all things without murmurings..." When you murmur—listen—you're really murmuring against God." (How to Turn Your Problems into Possibilities) On the part of the Hellenistic Jews - As discussed below this probably refers to the Greek speaking Jews in the church. 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. Hellēnistēs evidently does not appear anywhere earlier than Acts of the Apostles, and there it occurs for certain in only two places. Acts 6:1 records a difficulty in the Jerusalem church because the “Hebrews” had been overlooking widows among the “Hellenists” when dispensing support. The second passage is Acts 9:29 where Paul, having returned to Jerusalem after his conversion, was disputing with the “Hellenists,” probably many of the same group whose synagogue earlier was instrumental in getting Stephen executed with Paul’s approval. According to most editions of the Greek text, a third usage appears in Acts 11:20. Describing the persecution of Judaean Christians, Luke says that in general these believers preached the gospel wherever they fled but only to Jews (Acts 11:19; cf. Acts 8:4). In Antioch, however, some Cyprians and Cyrenians “began to speak also to the Hellenists” (UBS 3rd; Wescott-Hort; Majority Text; Textus Receptus). When news of this reached Jerusalem, the church sent Barnabas to Antioch, and he in turn traveled on to Tarsus and brought Paul to this new work (Acts 11:22-25). A rather well-attested alternate reading puts “Greeks” (Hellēnas Nestle-Aland 25th) in place of “Hellenists” (Hellēnistas), which makes proper sense under the traditional meaning of the latter term. There would have been nothing unusual about preaching to Greek-speaking Jews. That had already been done in Jerusalem long before (Acts 6:1ff), since it was being done elsewhere in this same scattering (Acts 11:19). Also, Samaritans had been evangelized without objections (Acts 8:4-25), although they were farther removed from mainstream Judaism than Greek-speaking Jews in Antioch would have been. Yet preaching to these people in Antioch must have been unusual because the term “Hellenists” in Acts 11:20 clearly contrasts with the word “Jews” in 11:19, and because soon afterward Judaizers tried to get them to be circumcised (Acts 15:1-35; cf. Galatians 2:11ff.). It is possible, then, that those actually evangelized in Antioch were in fact Gentiles (possibly “God-fearers,” or sebomenoi, Gentiles who attended synagogue but were not circumcised so as to be included among proselytes: Luke 7:2-5; Acts 10:2; 13:48-50; 16:14; 17:4,17; 18:7). The question that remains is how to define Hellēnistēs in light of this fact. Various suggestions have been made: (1) that Hellēnistēs means “proselyte” since Nicolas, one of the seven, was a proselyte (Acts 6:5); (2) that Hellēnistēs and Hellēn are synonyms meaning “Gentile” in all three references. If so, one wonders why there were not (recorded) conflicts over their conversion as was the case later in Antioch, why Peter and other Jewish Christians were so skeptical about evangelizing Cornelius’ household (Acts 10:1 to 11:18), why the main body of fleeing Christians preached only to Jews, or why the conference on circumcision even occurred. God’s granting Gentiles repentance unto life was a new thought as late as Acts 11:18 (cf. 8:14-16; 22:22-24). Furthermore, early Gentile conversions do not fit with the natural expansion of Christianity to increasingly distant groups—Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles (cf. Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16, etc.). Another view is as follows: (3) that Hellēnistēs means simply “Greek-speaking” with no implication about race or religion. If this is so, one wonders what contrast would have been communicated between Acts 11:19 and 11:20. Both groups would have been Greek-speaking. To use in the same sentence a term for Antioch Gentiles that could as well be used for Jews with whom they are deliberately contrasted would surely be unclear. On the whole, the easiest proposal seems to be (4) that the principles of textual criticism by themselves are simply inadequate in Acts 11:20. Hellēnistēs means “Hellenized Jew,” but it is not the right word here even as Hellēn is not the right word in Acts 9:29 despite its presence in one major manuscript. The reader needs to interpret the text in light of context and let Hellnistēs have its traditional meaning: Greek-speaking Jew. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary) Against - pros - generally means towards but in this context (hostile) means against. Pros is used this way in Eph 6:12 "out struggle is not against (pros) flesh and blood." In Col 3:13 "whoever has a complaint against (pros) anyone" -- These two groups in Acts 6:1 should have been "bearing with one another." (Col 3:13). The native Hebrews - This group appears to be Aramaic-speaking Jewish Christians who are native to Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Because their widows were being overlooked - NLT paraphrases it as "their widows were being discriminated against." The point is that unless the church took care of them, they would not be taken care of. Note that that the murmuring arose not from among the widows, but from others because of their needs. Were they intentionally overlooked because they were Hellenistic widows? The text does not say, but the fact that the growth was so rapid supports the premise that they "slipped between the cracks" because the church was growing so rapidly. They had a real problem but they initially sought to handle it in the wrong way - complain, murmur. It is like a leaking faucet for if it goes on long enough you can end up with a big bill (so to speak)! Murmuring in any church needs to be quickly addressed by the spiritual leaders. Is there any leaven of murmuring in your church? Recall that "under the Law of Moses, widows were under special protection (Deut. 14:29; 24:19; 26:12). Under Pharisaic rule, widows were often ignored (Mk. 12:38–40). Widows became a special concern of the Jerusalem Church, as we know from the pastor of that church, who wrote James 1:27." (Fruchtenbaum) Polhill note on widows - "Diaspora Jews (AS PRESUMABLY THE HELLENISTIC WIDOWS WOULD BE) often moved to Jerusalem in their twilight years to die in the holy city. When the men died, their widows were left far from their former home and family to care for them and were thus particularly in need of charity. Many of them may have been attracted to the Christian community precisely because of its concern for the material needs of its members....The Jews had a weekly dole for resident needy, called the quppah. It was given out every Friday and consisted of enough money for fourteen meals. There was also a daily distribution, known as the tamhuy. It was for nonresidents and transients and consisted of food and drink, which were delivered from house to house where known needy were dwelling. The Christian practice seems to have embraced elements of both Jewish systems. Like the tamhuy it was daily, and like the quppah it was for the resident membership." (NAC - Acts) Overlooked (1865)(paratheoreo from pará = aside or beyond + theoréo = to behold, contemplate) means to look at a thing by the side of another, to compare, to examine things placed beside. In classic Greek paratheoreo means “to examine or compare” as well as “take slight notice of, overlook,” depending on the context. This is the only use in the NT and means to look beyond, to look past something and so to overlook, neglect, slight. Not found in the Lxx. In the daily serving of food - As the number of the believers grew, this would be an overwhelming task for the apostles. Utley suggests what several commentaries also express - "The early church followed the patterns of the Synagogue. Every week funds (i.e. alms) were collected to feed the poor. This money was used to buy food, which was given out weekly by the Synagogue and daily by the early church. See Special Topic: Almsgiving. It seems from history that many Jewish families who lived and worked in other countries returned to Palestine in the father’s later years so that he could be buried in the Promised Land. Therefore, there were many widows in Palestine, especially the Jerusalem area. Judaism had an institutional (i.e. Mosaic Covenant) concern for the poor, alien, and widows (cf. Exod. 22:21–24; Deut. 10:18; 24:17). Luke’s writings show that Jesus, too, cared for widows (cf. Luke 7:11–15; 18:7–8; 21:1–4). It is, then, natural that the early church, patterning itself on both the Synagogue social services and the teachings of Jesus, would have an overt concern for church widows." Serving (1248)(diakonia is probably derived from dioko = to pursue, "to be a follower of a person, to attach one's self to him:" - note on origin is from Vincent.) means the rendering or assistance or help by performing certain duties, often of a humble or menial nature serve, including such mundane activities as waiting on tables or caring for household needs—activities without apparent dignity. Diakonia is related to diakonos, a servant, not in his relation (like doulos) but more in regard to his activity. The term covers both slaves and hired servants. MacArthur "The basic idea in both words always had to do with humble, submissive, personal service, not simply with an office or a particular function." I love Luke's play on the word diakonia which he uses in Acts 6:1 to describe "serving food" and in Acts 6:4 to describe "serving" the word of God! Literal bread is necessary for physical life and spiritual bread is necessary for spiritual life. Jesus brought this out in His rebuttal to the devil declaring "MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” (Mt 4:4, cf Lk 4:4+). How is your diet? It is well-balanced by intake of physical and spiritual bread? Remember that Peter made it clearly that the way to go in respect to salvation (i.e., to be progressively sanctified, made more Christ-like by the Spirit) is to be "like newborn babies, (longing) for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." (1 Peter 2:2) If your spiritual growth has become "stunted" it is likely that you are not taking in the pure milk of God's Word. You may be listening to great Christian songs, reading wonderful daily devotionals written by godly men and women, reading stimulating Christian novels, etc. But if you are neglecting the intake of the pure (undiluted) Word of God, you are making a mistake. As an aside, be careful of falling into the trap of some read through the Bible in a year programs, which assign such lengthy readings that you are forced to rush through in order to make sure you do not get behind schedule. You are under grace, not law and one verse chewed over and over in the morning is far more valuable than one chapter which goes in one ear and other the other (cf James 1:22+). It is not how many times you go through the Bible, but how many times the Bible goes through you. Read the Bible in a way that it "reads" you. As Gipsy Smith told of a man who said he had received no inspiration from the Bible although he had “gone through it several times.” “Let it go through you once,” replied Smith, “then you will tell a different story!” Woodrow Wilson said "Give the Bible to the people, unadulterated, pure, unaltered, unexplained, uncheapened, and then see it work through the whole nature." Illustration - When a certain Dallas church decided to split, each faction filed a lawsuit to claim the church property. A judge finally referred the matter to the higher authorities in the particular denomination. A church court assembled to hear both sides of the case and awarded the church property to one of the two factions. The losers withdrew and formed another church in the area. During the hearing, the church courts learned that the conflict had all begun at a church dinner when a certain elder received a smaller slice of ham than a child seated next to him. Sadly, this was reported in the newspapers for everyone to read. Just imagine how the people of Dallas laughed about that situation! This brought great discredit not only to the church but to Jesus Christ! The tiniest events sometimes cause great problems. Again and again a church has warded off a frontal attack only to be subverted from within. - Kent Hughes As Adrian Rogers says "the devil can get us divided, sometimes, more over incidentals than fundamental(s)....Where there's growth there are problems. Now, that's all right, brother. I'll tell you what, I'd rather be a part of a growing church with problems than a dead church that has none. I mean their great big problem is that they are just simply dead. Sometimes, people don't understand that a church doesn't have any real difficulties because it's d-e-a-d, dead." Ray Pritchard - "Anyone can be great because anyone can serve.” Those are the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They remind us of the words of Jesus who declared that he did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). On the night before he was crucified, when the weight of the world was on his shoulders, he took a towel and basin and washed the dirty feet of his disciples. By that one simple gesture he showed forever what sort of man he was and what sort of people we should be. He came to serve, and in his bloody death on the cross he served all humanity. Was Jesus great? The question hardly needs answering. He was great because he was God’s servant. Dr. King is right. Greatness is open to all because anyone can be a servant. We generally don’t realize this until a crisis comes. Most of the time we rock along contentedly, knowing that someone else will do the serving. That’s why we elect presidents and prime ministers, why we call pastors and hire department heads. Serving is fine with us as long as someone else does most of the work. Then a crisis comes and we begin to see things differently. I am told that the Chinese word for “crisis” is made up of two word-symbols – one meaning “danger” and the other “opportunity.” That’s what a crisis is: a danger and an opportunity rolled up together. Acts 6 Enemy Tactics We are not ignorant of [Satan's] devices. --2 Corinthians 2:11 Satan uses many methods to hinder the work of the Lord. Chapters 6 through 8 of Acts contain three illustrations of how he does his evil work through people and circumstances. 1. Satan creates dissension within the church. "In those days … there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists" (Acts 6:1). When a church becomes known for its bickering and backbiting, its witness in the community will be damaged. 2. The enemy tries to divert ministers and teachers from their main purpose of preaching the gospel. The apostles were feeling pressured to "leave the Word of God and serve tables" (6:2). Satan employs a similar tactic today by getting a pastor so involved in church programs that he has little time for prayer and the study of the Word. 3. In every age Satan seeks to destroy God's people. In Acts 7 and 8 we read that Stephen was martyred, and that Saul "made havoc of the church" (8:3). I want to live above the world, Though Satan's darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground. --Oatman Know Satan's strategy to avoid sin's tragedy Acts 6 - DISSENSION—DIVERSION—DESTRUCTION For we wrestle … against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 While I was enjoying a visit with Mr. H. Hildebrand, of the Briercrest Bible Institute, Caronport, Saskatchewan, he pointed out to me that the book of Acts, chapters 6, 7, and 8, suggests three ways by which the devil tries to hinder the work of the Lord. These three avenues of attack are: (1) dissension, (2) diversion, and (3) destruction. Satan attempts to frustrate our efforts for the Lord by causing dissension and strife within the church. In verse I of Acts 6 we read: "And in those days … there arose a murmuring." How often we have seen strong testimonies completely silenced because of dissension, murmuring, complaining, bickering, and backbiting on the part of some within the church. In addition to dissension, however, the evil one will also resort to diversion, sidetracking us from our main purpose. How he would like to have seen the twelve apostles in Acts 6 "leave the word of God and serve tables." The devil is busy at work using this very same tactic today. It is easy in our busy church programs to become side-tracked, diverted, and engaged in everything else but the ministry of the Word. In addition to dissension and diversion, the devil uses destruction. In chapter 7 we see Stephen martyred, and in chapter 8 we are told that Saul "made havoc of the church." But, even as the Psalmist declared: "The wrath of man shall praise thee," so Satan's destructive attack is taken by God Him-self and used for the accomplishing of His own program. As a result of the devil's persecution the believers "that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." Conscious of these three possible areas of attack, let us be on guard and prepared for the onslaughts of the adversary that the "work of the ministry" be not hindered. Let us put on "the whole armour of God" that we "may be able to withstand in the evil day" (Eph. 6:13). And through it all remember, "the battle is not yours, but God's," and He it is who "goeth before you." Acts 6:2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. KJV Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples Acts 21:22 It is not desirable Acts 4:19; 25:27 for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Ex 18:17-26; Nu 11:11-13; Dt 1:9-14; Neh 6:3; 2 Ti 2:4 Acts 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PRIORITIZATION OF PREACHING THE WORD So - This functions like a term of conclusion in this context. There were problems, SO there must be a solution. The leaders did not throw up their hands in frustration, but sought a practical but spiritual solution. The twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said - This is the only place the apostles are called "the twelve" and here clearly signifies the fact that they are Spirit filled and thus of one mind and one heart regarding how to avert a potential disaster in the infant church.
Atos 6
Robertson adds that "Many remained uncircumcised and were called proselytes of the gate." (Word Pictures in the New Testament - Acts) The first use of proselutos is by Jesus describing Jewish "missionaries" who traveled far "to make one proselyte and when he becomes one, (he is made) twice as much a son of hell as" the Jewish missionary. (Mt 23:15). In their zeal to make converts one of the places the Jewish missionaries had visited was Rome. Zodhiates says that "such zeal being so remarkable at that time that it became proverbial among the Romans." How exciting that Nicolas a Gentile is not a disciple of Christ. He was a "preview of coming attractions" as God's Spirit opened the gate to Gentiles to enter into salvation without having to go through Judaism. Acts 6:6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. KJV Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. after praying, they laid their hands on them Acts 1:24; 8:17; 9:17; 13:3; 1 Ti 4:14; 5:22; 2 Ti 1:6 Acts 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries "INSTALLATION SERVICE" And these they brought before the apostles - More literally "they were caused to stand." Presumably the congregations selected the seven although exactly how they did this is not described. And after praying - What did they pray? Luke does not say. Surely in their prayer they would acknowledge God's provision in choosing these seven men. (cf Acts 1:24+) NET Note adds that "The prayer indicates their acceptance and commissioning for ministry (cf. Dt 34:9)." Praying (4336)(proseuchomai from pros = toward, facing [emphasizing the direct approach of the one who prays in seeking God’s face] + euchomai = speak out, express a wish, pray) in the NT is always used of prayer addressed to God (to Him as the object of faith and the One who will answer one’s prayer) and means to speak consciously (with or without vocalization) to Him, with a definite aim (See study of noun proseuche). They laid their hands on them - This practice does not speak of nor warrant interpretation as a description of so called "apostolic succession." (See Is apostolic succession biblical?) Larkin has some interesting thought on laid their hands on them - "The laying on of hands" is used in Old Testament passages with the "choice of supplementary leadership" form. Hebrew samak, used in Numbers 27:18, means "to lean the hand on, exercise some force at the base of the hand at the joint" and has the significance of to "pour your personality--or a quality of yours relevant at this moment--into him" (Daube 1976:162; compare Nu 27:20). What the apostles pass on to the Seven through the laying on of hands is not the Spirit, for the Seven already have the Spirit (Acts 6:3). Rather, they receive authority to work as the apostles' representatives in a specific task (Parratt 1969:213). (IVP NT Commentary - Acts)
Atos 6
Robertson adds that "It is the Pharisees who are conducting this attack on Stephen while the Sadducees had led them against Peter and John. The position of Stephen is critical in the extreme for the Sadducees will not help him as Gamaliel did the apostles." And they came up to him - They "Rushed at him." (Robertson) Imagine the reaction you would have if an angry rabble were rushing toward you! But Stephen stands stable and sturdy because he is full of the Spirit. It is good to be full of the Spirit BEFORE that angry crowd or individual gets in your face! And dragged him away and brought him before the Council - The verb used here for taking Stephen into custody to appear before the "Supreme Court" of the Jews (the Sanhedrin) is different from that used when "they laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail." (Acts 5:18+). The verb there is epiballo which is used of waves crashing against a ship. The verb harpazo was used of a wolf suddenly snatching a lamb from a flock, which gives us a interesting picture of what this group did to Stephen. One does not get the picture of them gently leading him away. Dragged (seized) (4884)(sunarpazo from sun = with ~ intensifies meaning + harpazo = to seize, rapture) means to seize suddenly and violently, to grasp with great violence. Stronger than harpazo by itself! Of a mob seizing Stephen to drag him away (Acts 6.12); of demon activity seize (Lk 8.29); passive, of a ship in a storm and forced off course by the wind and swept on (Acts 27.15). Before the Council - this phrase occurs only in Acts where it is found 3x - Acts 5:27; Acts 6:12; Acts 24:20 (Also in Acts 4:5-7). So this is the third time the Council sits in judgment on the disciples, first Peter and John, then all twelve and now Stephen by himself. Each time the intensity of their "persecution" increased, going from warnings, to flogging and finally stoning. The "golden era" of the new Church in Jerusalem was about to end, but this persecution would lead to spread of the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. Council (supreme court) (Picture of the Sanhedrin)(4892)(sunedrion from sun/syn = together + hedra = a seat or hedraios = sedentary, as one seated in a chair) means ones seated together. This noun generally describes an assembly or council. In classical Greek sunhedrion initially referred to the place of meeting; and later described the assembly itself or the “council.” In secular language sunedrion was used of a variety of official groups and councils including legislative bodies. In the intertestamental period prior to the birth of Christ sunedrion became a technical term for the "supreme court" or “high court” of the Jews who adopted the Greek into their own language (Hebrew/ Aramaic), calling the council the Sanhedrin. In the NT uses the council or Sanhedrin consisted of 71 members (70 members plus the highest official, the high priest) from the chief priests, former high priests, and the chief priests or heads of the twenty–four courses or divisions, elders, and scribes or lawyers. Apparently the council itself determined who could belong. There were also local councils throughout the Jewish Diaspora with 23 members, which were also called sunedrion. Related Resource: Bob Utley's topic The Sanhedrin NET Note - "the Sanhedrin" (the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews). Stephen suffers just as Peter and John did. Acts 6:13 They put forward false witnesses who said, "This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; KJV Acts 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: They put forward false witnesses Acts 6:11; Ps 27:12; 35:11; 56:5 Acts 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FALSIFYING THE FACTS TRUMPED UP CHARGES They put forward false witnesses - More literally "they set up false witnesses." (ESV) Or as we see in modern court room settings where the witness takes his stand to give the testimony. The took the stand, opened their mouth and out flew lies against Stephen. False (5571)(pseudes) means deliberately deceptive, those who utter falsehoods and lies (like their father - Jn 8:44!) As Jack Arnold said "These false witnesses gave half-truths, for a bald-faced lie would never have been accepted by the common people. Someone has said “A half of the truth is a whole lie.” Witnesses (3144)(martus/martys) describes one who testifies in legal matters. Who said this man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law - "This man" is their way of expressing their extreme contempt of Stephen. The are elaborating on the charge in Acts 6:11. Notice that So against the holy place and the Law is synonymous with against the Temple and against the Law of Moses. Remember that the first church was almost all Jewish and they were still co-mingling in the Temple precincts, but resistance in now beginning to rise against those Jews who no longer believed works saved a man but only by grace through faith in Christ alone. To speak against the Law, God's law in Torah was to blaspheme God. John Stott explains "this was an extremely serious double accusation. For nothing was more sacred to the Jews, and nothing more precious, than their temple and their law. The temple was the ‘holy place’, the sanctuary of God’s presence, and the law was ‘holy scripture’, the revelation of God’s mind and will. Therefore, since the temple was God’s house and the law was God’s word, to speak against either was to speak against God or, in other words, to blaspheme." Similar charges were apparently leveled against Paul in Acts 25:7,8. After Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him which they could not prove, while Paul said in his own defense, “I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” Ceased (3973) (pauo) here is modified by "not" (ou = absolute negation). They are falsely accusing Stephen of absolutely not ceasing to speak against the holy temple and the holy law. Acts 6:14 for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us." KJV Acts 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. that this Nazarene, Jesus Isa 66:1-6; Jer 7:4-14; 26:6-9,12,18; Da 9:26; Mic 3:12; Zech 11:1; 14:2; Mt 24:1,2; Mk 14:58; Lk 13:34,35; 21:6,24; Jn 4:21 alter the customs which Moses handed down to us Isa 65:15; 66:19-21; Hosea 3:4; Gal 3:19,23; 4:3-5; Heb 7:11-19; 8:6-13; Heb 9:9-11; 10:1-18; 12:26-28 Acts 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries STEPHEN'S "BLASPHEMOUS WORDS" For - Term of explanation. In what sense did he speak against the Temple and the Law? What blasphemous words did Stephen speak? They explain their false charges in Acts 6:13. One lie usually begets another. We have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus will destroy this place - What place? They are meeting before the Council in the Hall of Hewn Stone was within the Temple precincts, so this place would be a reference to the Temple complex. This is used in a contemptuous sense here just as it had been in Acts 5:28. What are they accusing Stephen of in this statement? Think about what they say Stephen says. Apparently Stephen had quoted Jesus. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones says "In other words, Stephen was charged, finally, with being a Christian, with being a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and all that was involved and implied in that." (Authentic Christianity). Have you ever been "charged" of being a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ? This false accusation apparently alludes to Jesus' words spoken almost 3 years before His crucifixion Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. (Jn 2:19-21)