Acts Chapter 6 1~~And in those days, when the number of the disciples {'mathetes' in the Greek means pupil- a disciple was a 'student of doctrine'} was multiplied there arose a quarrel of the Hellenists {Greek-speaking Jews} against the Hebrews {followers of the Mosaic Law}, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. {Note: locally in Jerusalem, the church was growing and divisions were there based on backgrounds of the believers. First was economic status - rich versus poor. Next, There were cultural differences - there were followers of Greek culture and followers of the old Jewish ways. Also there were political differences - backers of Herod, the Sadducees, Pharisees, etc. Whoever was passing out the charity - called 'serving tables' - was not caring for those THEY did not like.} 2~~Then the twelve {eleven true apostles and the one they 'elected'} called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, "It is not fitting that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables." {Note: This is an important message to Men with the gift of communication (pastor/teacher today). Their job is to study and teach, study and teach. But the administration (in this case the distribution of funds) HAS to be done fairly, without personal bias.} 3~~Wherefore, brethren, observe carefully among you for seven Noble Men having stability of character, full of the Holy Spirit {habitually filled with the Spirit} and wisdom {application of doctrine to experience}, whom we {the apostles} may appoint over this business. {Note: Future tense of 'may appoint' indicates this is setting a precedent in the future -will always be this way in the Church Age. The administrators are not chosen by a popular vote, they are appointed by the leader of the local church.} {The job of the Apostle while that temporary gift existed . . . and the job of the pastor-teacher today is to study and teach doctrine - with prayers thrown in.} 4~~But we {Apostles and Pastors} will give ourselves to prayer, and to the teaching of the Word. 5~~And the message pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith {maximum faith rest technique} and of the Holy Spirit; and Philip; and Prochorus; and Nicanor {means Victorious}; and Timon {means Worthy}; and Parmenas {lived a long life then was a Martyr}; and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. {Note: Stephen is subject of next chapter. He is one of the first deacons and the first martyr of the Church Age. Philip is a deacon now and an evangelist also - see Acts 8. Prochorus is a Greek name and means 'leader of a chorus' - the best of the dancers - assume then is a member of the Hellenist Jewish party. Nicolas later turned apostate - he was a gentile that became legalistic and was circumcised. He started a great cult later. Rev Chapter 2: 6 and 15.} 6~~Whom they stood before the apostles and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. {Note: this is a matter of identification - they are now identified with the leadership of the church}. 7~~And the word of God increased {the Apostles could study and teach, study and teach}. And the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly. And a great company of the priests {the gospel got through to even the very legalistic Jewish Priesthood} were obedient to the faith. 8~~And Stephen, full of grace and power {Power of the Holy Spirit}, kept on doing astounding things and miracles among the people {unbelievers}. {Note the temporary gift of miracles was strictly for the use of bringing unbelievers together to give the gospel a hearing -all temporary gifts ended when 'that which is perfect is complete - 'that' being in the neuter tense then refers to the completed canon of scriptures.} 9~~Then there arose certain of the synagogue - which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia - and tried to refute with Stephen. {Note: This synagogue was the meeting place of choice for the foreign born Jews who returned to Jerusalem. The Libertines were the pro-Roman group. They were Jews who were liberated slaves whose families lived in Rome and grew up under the influence of Roman culture - first to resist Christianity - did not bode well for the Christians of the day! The Cyrenians took over the Carthaginian trade when Rome destroyed Carthage. Rest are better known.} {Side note: Saul of Tarsus {later known as the Apostle Paul} would have been considered part of the Cilicia crowd.} 10~~ And they did not have the information nor the mental ability to stand against the wisdom and the spirit by which he {Stephen} spoke. 11~~ Then they bribed men, which said {gave false witness}, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God." 12~~ And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him violently, and brought him to the council, 13~~ And paid false witnesses {hearsay and perjury in front of the Supreme Court of the day}, who said, "This man ceased not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law." 14~~"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." 15~~And all that sat in the council, stared intently in amazement on him, and saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel. {Note: This is a similar statement to what was said about Moses in Exodus 34:30. Stephen was filled with the Spirit. He had such contentment and peace under the circumstances that his face just radiated or shined and they could not look away.}