Acts 6
OGCTHE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM
All the events of the first seven Chapter s can be summed up under the heading: The Church in Jerusalem. In the picture of the preceding page you can observe an artist’s conception of Jerusalem as it appeared in the time of the events recorded in the book. Within the walls are designated four buildings. These are lettered and named as follows:
A.
The Upper Room,
B.
The Temple,
C.
The Public Ward or Jail,
D.
The Synagogue of the Libertines.
In and around these buildings, (which, with the exception of the Temple, are conjecturally located) all the events recorded in the first seven Chapter s took place. These events can be counted as eighteen in number and are so designated on the preceding page. You can follow these events, one by one, as to where they took place and as to what happened by following the numbers on the chart from one through eighteen and reading the scripture references given. The pages following are simply an enlargement upon the points or numbers you found upon the foregoing picture. The scripture is printed under the heading of the points and the comment following is intended to make the events recorded in the text a living reality to your mind and heart.
EXAMINATION OVER Chapter S THREE THROUGH SEVEN True or False
We see the power of Pentecost in action at the gate beautiful.
The lame man was healed at the third hour.
This healing took place at the temple beautiful.
The lame man spoke to Peter and John before they spoke to him.
The lame man had no feet before he was healed.
The lame man was healed instantaneously.
Peter told him to arise and walk.
The people of the temple recognized the beggar after he was healed.
The people immediately began to praise God for that which was done.
The theme of Peter’s sermon was the glorification of God’s servant Jesus.
The lame man was healed by faith.
Peter discusses both the free will of man and the foreknowledge of God in his second sermon.
Acts 3:19; Acts 2:38 are very favorably compared.
The season of refreshing doubtless refers to the reception of the Holy Spirit.
The promise of the second coming of Christ is dependent on the conversion of the Jews.
Multiple Choice
The times of the restoration of all things refers to: 1) The end of the world. 2) The fulfillment of all the prophesies of the O.T. 3) The restoration of the ancient order of Israel.
Moses said that: 1) God would one day raise up the Messiah. 2) God would one day raise up a prophet like unto Himself. 3) God would one day restore Israel.
Peter appealed to the heart of the Jew in the conclusion of his sermon by telling them of: 1) The advantages in being a Christian. 2) The terrible death of their Messiah. 3) The blessing that God promised them through Abraham that was now to be found in Christ.
Peter and John were arrested at: 1) twelve o-‘clock. 2) Three o-‘clock. 3) Sundown.
Peter and John were arrested by: 1) The high priest and captain of the temple. 2) The Pharisees and Sadducees, with the captain of the temple. 3) The captain of the temple, the priests and the Sadducees.
The real reason for their arrest was: 1) They taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 2) They disturbed the peace. 3) They had too large a crowd.
About this time Luke says: 1) There were 6,000 members in the Jerusalem church. 2) The number of men came to be about 5,000. 3) There were 8,000 members in the church,
- Ananias was the official or appointed high priest. 2) Caiphas was the official or appointed high priest. 3) Annas was the official or, appointed high priest,
There were 1) seventy or seventy-one, 2) Seventy-one or seventy-two. 3) Sixty-nine or seventy men in the Sanhedrin.
The Sanhedrin asked the following question of Peter and John: 1) What have ye done? 2) By what power or in what name have ye done this? 3) By what authority have ye done this?
Fill in The Blanks
Now when they beheld the _____________________ of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were __________ and __________ men, they ___________________ and took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13.
He is the ____________ which was set at nought of you the builders but was made the __________ of the corner. Acts 4:11.
Peter said: We cannot but speak the things which we and _____________________ Acts 4:20.
Being let go they came to their own ____________ and __________ all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. Acts 4:23.
And now Lord ______________ upon their threatenings and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all ________________. Acts 4:29.
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own but they had ____________ _________________________. Acts 4:32.
Can you find TEN MISTAKES in these sentences?
The apostles were enabled by the unity of the believers to give their witness of the resurrection with greater power.
Everyone sold everything so all could have some.
Jacob called Barnabas, having a field sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostle’s feet.
Ananias and Sapphira said they gave all when they only gave a part.
The sin of these two was two-fold; namely, the love of self and the love of money.
Peter attributed the sin to both Ananias and Satan.
It was one hour later that his wife came in and met her death.
But of the rest durst no man join himself to them refers to the rest of the members of the Jerusalem church.
Being added to the Lord is the same as being added to the church,
Peter’s shadow is said to have healed some.
The high priest and Sadducees led in the arrest of the eleven apostles.
The angel opened the prison door near the break of day.
The Sanhedrin had a branch it called the Senate.
The Holy Spirit was said to be a witness of the crucifixion, resurrection and coronation of Jesus.
The advice of Gamaliel was to refuse further opportunity to speak but not to mistreat the apostles.
Can You Put The Two Together?
Which of the following do you associate with Olivet? 1) Jerusalem. 2) Hope. 3) Ascension.
Which of the following do you associate with Judas?) Field of blood. 2) Apostle. 3) Servant.
Which of the following do you associate with Pentecost? 1) Celebration. 2) Many people. 3) Tongues of fire.
Which of the following do you associate with healing? 1) Miracles. 2) Powers. 3) The hands of the apostles.
With which of the following do you associate the break of day? 1) Solomon’s Porch. 2) Prayer. 3) Work for Christ.
What scripture reference do you associate with the second trial before the Sanhedrin? (Supply yourself).
Acts 6:1-6
ON SOLOMON’S PORCH. Acts 6:1-6.
1
Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2
And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.
3
Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4
But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.
5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaüs a proselyte of Antioch;
6
whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.
a. The murmuring of the Grecian Jews. Acts 6:1.
Acts 6:1 While Luke gives us the glad news that the number of disciples was multiplying exceedingly, he wants us to see something of the personal life and the working of the called out body. So he records here the problem and incident out of which grew the work of the deacon. Luke has already told us of the distribution of goods so it is not at all strange to read of this same action again here in the sixth chapter. It might be well to point out that this distribution was a daily ministration, not just once or twice a year as we are so wont to do. The church was progressing wonderfully until someone was neglected. Somehow in the feeding and caring for the many widows of this church, some of the women of the Grecian Jews were overlooked. These Jews were those who were either born and reared in Greece or had come under the sway of Grecian culture. No one carried the news of this neglect to the apostles, no word was spoken directly of the trouble, they just murmured. How murmuring can and has stopped the progress of the children of God through the centuries.
What is the difference between the ministration of the church today and that of the Jerusalem church?
What is meant by Grecian Jews?
b. The action of the twelve and the church. Acts 6:2-6.
Acts 6:2-6 The murmuring had not continued long until it reached the ears of the apostles. They did the only wise thing that could be done; they called together all those concerned, and by this time the whole church knew about the trouble, and presented to them a plan of action that would alleviate the difficulty. First they presented the thought that although they were the leaders in the church, yet this work was not theirs to do, for they had been called to prayer and the ministry of the word, not to serving tables. If the apostles were to take up this added responsibility it would cause them to neglect their God-given work. The solution lay in selecting seven men from among the church who would be qualified according to the divinely given qualifications, i.e. (1) of good report, (2) full of the Spirit and (3) of wisdom.
Having done this, the disciples were to bring these men before the apostles who were then to set them aside to this work by the laying on of hands. If this would be done, the need would be met, and the twelve could go on unhampered in giving themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. This saying pleased the whole multitude and they chose seven men who met the qualifications. It is interesting to note that all of the seven bear Grecian names, In this selection we see both the wisdom and love of the believers in the Jerusalem church. These men were set into this work by the laying on of the apostles-’ hands. Since these men were to care for the daily diaconia or ministrations (the word from which deacon is derived), we could say that they were indeed deacons of the church. We then also know the formal setting apart was the placing of these men into this office.
Why were the seven appointed?
How was this difficulty alleviated?
Acts 6:7-8
THE INCREASE OF THE WORD OF GOD. Acts 6:7-8.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.
Acts 6:7 Each time the writer of the book of Acts mentions some difficulty that arose in the church he always concludes the incident with the heartening word that this difficulty was used by God to resound unto His glory, and that through it all there was even a greater turning to Christ. So it is here that after the murmuring ceased the Word of God increased i.e. the words of the apostles which were veritably the words of God made entrance into many hearts, this resulted in the multiplying of the disciples exceedingly.
What two-fold task did the Apostles have in the Jerusalem church?
Who was to select the seven? How was it to be done?
What was the purpose of the laying on of hands?
How is the love and wisdom of the believers shown in the selection?
Would it be proper to call these men deacons?
What is meant by the expression the Word of God increased?
We have often thought while reading the account of the association of the twelve with the Sanhedrin: Why was there not some among that group of intelligent, sincere men, who would come to a belief in Jesus as the Christ? So it is with great joy that we read here in Acts 6:7 that a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. We do not know it as a fact, but we like to think that at least some of these men were priests of the Sanhedrin. We must not overlook the expression obedient to the faith. There was something more to their faith than mere mental assent, there was something in it that demanded obedience.
We hold to the position that the faith spoken of was the same as the faith mentioned in Jude 1:3; i.e. that scheme of God for man’s redemption. The apostles preached the faith and men became obedient to it. When we examine Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19 we must conclude that their obedience entailed repentance and baptism for the blotting out of or remission of sins.
**Acts 6:8 **Associated with and a part of the spreading of the word was the work of this Jerusalem deacon, Stephen. When the hands of the apostles were placed upon his head, there must have coexisted with the act of setting him into the office, the impartation of one or more of the special spiritual gifts. (See the notes on the special study of the Holy Spirit.) This is suggested in the fact that Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people. These were performed to confirm the truthfulness of his words. This we can observe in the following verses.
What in Acts 6:7 is suggestive of a victory for Christ in the Sanhedrin?
What is the thought of obedient to the faith?
What is the meaning of the term faith as it is used in Acts 6:7?
What two purposes were involved in the laying on of the apostles-’ hands?
Acts 6:9-12
AT THE SYNAGOGUE OF THE LIBERTINES. Acts 6:9 to Acts 12:9
But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.
Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,
a. Those who opposed. Acts 6:9
**Acts 6:9 **To whom did Stephen preach? To those of Jerusalem to be sure, but can we be any more specific than that? In looking into these verses we can secure at least a little suggestion of the persons to whom Stephen addressed his message. As we have mentioned, Stephen was doubtless a Grecian Jew. With whom would it be more logical to imagine Stephen laboring than with those of his own background? This thought finds support when we are told that those of the Grecian provinces of Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia disputed with Stephen. The ones who opposed Stephen’s work were evidently all members of one synagogue called The Synagogue of the Libertines. It is to be concluded from the use of the word Libertines that these Grecian Jews were at one time slaves but now were Libertines or Freedmen. They either purchased or earned their freedom.
b. The evil means used by those who refused. Acts 6:10-12.
**Acts 6:10-12 **These disputants although they strongly opposed the position of their countrymen, could not withstand the logical conclusion to which he led them. Rather than yield their hearts to the Lordship of Jesus, they stiffened their necks. Not only were they stubborn but also dishonest. Deceit is the first step in defending a position maintained only because of stubbornness. Men can be found almost anywhere who will do almost anything for a price. In this case money was paid to twist the truth. By this twisting Stephen was to be implicated in blasphemy. These suborned men were very zealous in their efforts. They spread the word throughout the city that this man had spoken against both God and Moses. Since the minds of the populace were filled with the thought of God through the message and miracles of the apostles, this was a serious charge.
It was not long until this malicious lie had done its work. Word reached the Sanhedrin that there was a great stir among the people; that a certain man was accused of blasphemy. This was a charge to be investigated. Especially so since the one accused was a member of the movement the Sanhedrin hated.
The elders and scribes came upon Stephen as they had upon the apostles and brought him into the council. This charge was punishable by death. It was the one for which Jesus was tried. (Matthew 26:65; Mark 14:58).
To whom did Stephen preach? Prove your answer.
What is the meaning of the term Synagogue of the Libertines? How is it used here?
What was the response of the Libertines?
What is the first step in supporting a position maintained only through stubbornness? How is it shown here?
What was the work of these suborned men? How did they carry it out?
Why did this false accusation receive such a ready response?
Why would the Sanhedrin be especially interested in the charge against Stephen?
What do you know about the importance of the charge?
Acts 6:13-15
**17.
STEPHEN BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN. Acts 6:13**Acts 7:57.
a.
The testimony of the false witnesses. Acts 6:13-14.
and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:
for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.
**Acts 6:13-14 **With Stephen before the council the false witnesses came forward with their **specific **charge:
This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.
The general charge of blasphemy is now made specific. The accusation prior to this time was general; these men had hurled the charge of blasphemy with no explanation; now we hear their explanation. They said: He blasphemed because he said Jesus of Nazareth would destroy this place, and in so doing the customs of worship which Moses gave would perish with the temple.
This accusation was nothing but a black lie concocted by twisting Stephen’s words. Stephen had probably in his preaching spoken of the destruction of the temple as Jesus had prophesied (Matthew 24:1-2) and he may have also given the words of the Master as to the destruction of His body (John 2:19-22). By accommodating these words to their own evil purpose and they formulated the charge.
b.
The glowing face of Stephen. Acts 6:15.
And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Acts 6:15 We like the words of McGarvey upon this verse, we quote here from his commentary upon this verse:
There is no need to suppose anything supernatural in his appearance. He was standing just where his Master had stood when condemned to die; 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. He knew that the supreme hour of his life had come; and the emotions which stirred his soul as he thought of the past, of death, of heaven, of the cause which he had pleaded, and of the foul murder about to be perpetrated, necessarily lit up his countenance with a glow almost supernatural. (Page 115.)
State in your own words the specific objection urged by the false witnesses.
How had these charges been formulated?
Why did the face of Stephen glow as he stood before the council?