Acts 6

Acts 6:1-7

In this chapter we have, 1. The discontent about the distribution of the public charity, ver. 1. 2. The ordination of seven deacons to ease the apostles of the burden, ver. 2-6. 3. The increase of the church, ver. 7. 4. A particular account of Stephen, one of the seven: (1.) His great activity for Christ, ver. 8. (2.) The opposition he met with, ver. 9, 10. (3.) The convening of him before the great Sanhedrim, and the crimes laid to his charge, ver. 11-14. (4.) God’s evening him upon his trial, ver. 15.

1. AND in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 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. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5. ¶ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they choate Stephen, a man full of faith and of the holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a presbyter of Antioch. 6. Whom they set before the apostles, Vols. II.

tles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The admirable peace and harmony of the church here suffers some slight interruption, and yet good aries out of the evil. We have,

1. The cause, whether real or imaginary, of the discontent which appears among some of the members of the church. In those days, when the number of disciples was multiplied; for the sufferings of the apostles, so far from checking the progress of the gospel, proved its furtherance; their origin a murmuring of the Grecians, or Helenist Jews, who were chiefly foreigners, and were so called from the Greek language, which they spoke, and used in their synagogues, proved the Hebrews, who were inhabitants of Judea, and made use of the Hebrew language in reading the Old Testament; and they complained, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration, as if there was a partiality shown to the poor, who were Hebrews, and their either passed over, or scantily supplied. The complaint might possibly be real; in the multiplicity of affairs which lay on the apostles hands, they might be unable to look minutely into the wants of the several widows, or other poor, who had made application to them for relief, or perhaps, as the public stock was chiefly raised by the Hebrews, they might count that the widows and other poor of that denomination were entitled to the preference; but probably mere suspicion dictated the complaint, and, as they lay under some kind of disadvantages as foreigners, they were jealous: but they should be slighted; for those who are poor are too apt to be querulous, to eye with jealousy what is bestowed on others, and to clamour, as if any kindness done to them was an injustice to themselves. Note, (1.) Money matters are too often the causes of much dissatisfaction even among those who profess to be dead to the world. (2.) In the best ordered church some imperfections will be found, and the most careful paffons may hear of some real or pretended cause of complaint.

2. The apostles propose an excellent expedient to remove all cause of murmuring; and this not only for the satisfaction of others, but for their own relief; their necessary employment, in preaching the word of God, being too much interrupted by minding these secular concerns. They assembled the multitude of the disciples, it being a matter of common concern, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables; these avocations of providing for the poor diverting them too much from the great business of preaching the gospel. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business, men of established reputation and integrity, endowed with a distinguished measure of the gifts and graces of the Spirit, to enable them for the faithful discharge of their office, and whose wisdom and prudence are eminent, that they may manage the church’s stock to greatest advantage. These were to be chosen by the people themselves, who could not afterwards reasonably find fault with the persons of their own appointment; and the apostles would ordain them to their office, that they might be interdicted with due authority, and that those who were concerned might know to whom they must apply in these matters: but we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word, as our more immediate and proper employment. Note, (1.) They who are appointed to any holy office, even the lowest in the church, may here behold the requisites thereto. They must be persons of blameless character, men of piety and abusive; for the discharge of their trust with wisdom, and above all experimentally acquainted with the grace of God in their souls, and partakers of the Holy Ghost. To ordain persons immoral, ignorant, destitute of experimental religion, and to count them fit for the ministry who are fit for nothing else; how shocking how contrary to the apothistical practice? and what a scandal must such be to the office they bear! (2.) Divided as much as possible of worldly cares, Christ’s immediate ambassadors should be occupied wholly in his work and the service of immortal souls, preaching his gospel in season and out of season, and watering with their prayers the labours of the pulpit, that God may give the increase.

3. The proposal met with general approbation, and, after serious deliberation, they, with joint concurrence and perfect unanimity, made choice of seven persons, whose names are recited, and seem to be of the Hellenist Jews, which would most effectually serve to silence all future murmuring among them. Stephen stands full in the capulence, with a most honourable testimony born to him; he was full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, a man eminent for gifts and graces. Philip, who follows him, we find afterwards successfully employed in preaching the gospel, chap. viii. Of the rest we have no particular account, unless Nicolas, as some have suggested, was the founder of that sect which St. John mentions with abhorrence, Rev. ii. 6-15. These seven being presented to the apostles, they prayed with them and for them, that they might be qualified for their work.

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and approve themselves faithful, and then, by the imposition of hands, solemnly separated them for this service, to which they were chosen.

4. The church continued to increase greatly, the interline murmurs being silenced, the apostles being more disheartened, and all zealously attending to their several charges. Thus the gospel-word spread its blessed influence around, the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem, where, during our Lord’s ministry, few seem to have believed in him; and what is still more astonishing, and to be reckoned among the chief wonders of green, a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith, who had been the most inveterate enemies of Christ and his gospel, but now embraced the profession of Christianity, and proved by their holy contemplation the unfeigned faith which was in them. Now, True faith in Jesus as a Saviour ever produces sincere obedience to him as our Master.

5. Ver. 5.

Acts 6:20-25

20. ¶ And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and having made Balthus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country. 21. And upon a fet day, Herod arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23. And immediately the angel of the Lord fmote him, because he gave not God the glory; and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghoff. 24. ¶ But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John whose surname was Mark.

Proud persecutors justly meet an avenging God.

1. Herod’s pride now reached the summit of wickedness. On some provocation given him by the maritime cities of Tyre and Sidon, Herod was highly offended; and, justly fearing the wrath of this haughty monarch, they instantly dispatched embassadors to him to make their submission, and deprecate his displeasure; for, as they chiefly drove their provision from his territories, if he prohibited his subjects from supplying them, it would have exposed them to a famine. Therefore having, by present probably, gained Balthus the king’s chamberlain for their friend, who had a considerable influence with his matter, they defied peace; and a day was fixed to give them public assistance. Herod, arrayed in royal robes, glittering, says Josephus, with silver, and reflecting the sun-beams so strongly as daxated the eyes of the spectators, and teared on his gorgeous throne, made an avarice to the people, probably expatiating on the provocations of the Tyrians, and displaying his own clemency in pardoning them on their submission. The people, delighted with his splendid appearance, pleased with his discourse, and willing to flatter his pride, shouted their blasphemous admiration, as if they heard a present deity, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man; which he, well-pleaded, received the impious adulation.

2. Instantly God fmote him, and buried him from his towering height of pride into the abyss of despicable wretchedness. An angel, the executioner of wrath, struck the fatal blow, became a grave not God the glory, and dared accept such adoration. A soul, filthy, and tormenting disease seized his vitals; in agonies he lingered five days; worms bred in his putrid carcals; and, devoured alive, he miserably perished, a spectacle of horror to every beholder. So easily can God abade those who walk in pride, and make the meanest worm that crawls an instrument of his vengeance.

3. In spite of all persecution and opposition, the word of God grew and multiplied, spreading with rapidity and vast success. And Barnabas and Saul, having finished their business at Jerusalem, returned again to Antioch, taking with them John, whose surname was Mark, Barnabas’s nephew. Nate, When ministers are called abroad, and have finished their work, they must hasten home again, where their stated labour awaits them.