SOME TIME LATER. Both _Lipscomb_ and _McGarvey_ think this is still
during the first year of the Gospel Age. either 30, or early 31 A.D.
[by the corrected calendar]. THERE WAS A QUARREL. Notice that somebody
was already doing the work of a "church helper" [deacon] (1 Timothy
3:8). But the Greek-spea... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE TWELVE APOSTLES. This proves that Matthias was counted (Acts
1:26), since Paul had not yet converted to Christ. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR
US. Their mission did not allow them time to do this.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEN, BROTHERS, CHOOSE. Note the apostles did not do the choosing!
SEVEN MEN. This many could handle the assistance to the Greek-speaking
widows. WHO ARE KNOWN TO BE. Men whom the congregation could respect,
and who could be trusted. AND WE WILL PUT THEM IN CHARGE. Compare
Titus 1:5. Both church... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PRAYER AND THE WORK OF PREACHING. Note the apostles give prayer and
preaching _equal_ priority.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEY CHOSE STEPHEN. He would be the first martyr. PHILIP. He would
later do the work of an evangelist. PROCHORUS, NICANOR, TIMON,
PARMENAS. Their names do not appear again. NICOLAUS. Some try to
connect him with the "Nicolaitans in Revelation, but there is no
evidence TO do this.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND PLACED THEIR HANDS ON _THEM._ _McGarvey_ says: "But all the
apostles did was to pray and LAY ON their hands; hence, this was the
ceremony of their appointment.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND A GREAT NUMBER OF PRIESTS. The unity of the group was preserved,
and even priests were becoming "fulfilled Jews" in Christ! [Ezra
2:36-39 speaks of 4,289 priests coming back from Babylon. There would
be more at this time.]... [ Continue Reading ]
STEPHEN. His name is Greek. He is the first one _not an apostle_ who
is said to do miracles and wonders. Philip also had this power (Acts
8:6-7). [Only the apostles and those whom the apostles had "placed
their hands on" had this power, as far as the Scripture tells us.]
Compare Acts 8:15-19.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE SYNAGOGUE OF THE FREE MEN. The Talmud says there were 480
synagogues in Jerusalem. This one was made up of men who had been
taken to Rome as slaves, and later set free, who held Roman
citizenship. Those who made up this synagogue were "Greek-speaking
Jews." Stephen's name is Greek, and he pro... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY COULD NOT RESIST HIM. They could not refute his arguments. His
message was very convincing.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEY BRIBED SOME MEN. They intend to stop what Stephen is doing.
SPEAKING AGAINST. They cannot refute his arguments, so they accuse him
of blasphemy.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY STIRRED UP THE PEOPLE. By their slander. Up till now, the
Christians had been popular for the most part (_see_ Acts 6:7). These
"Free Men" try to turn public opinion against Stephen and the
Christians. Compare note on Acts 4:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS MAN. Instead of attacking all Christians, they direct their
slander against Stephen only. By doing this, they hope to be able to
prejudice the people and turn them away from Christ. Compare note on
Revelation 12:17. Stephen likely did preach "the close of the Jewish
Age and Christ as King." How... [ Continue Reading ]
FIXED THEIR EYES ON STEPHEN. To see how he is reacting to these
charges. LIKE THE FACE OF AN ANGEL. If his face had been shining with
a supernormal light, the Council would have dismissed in awe! It must
have been peace and joy which flashed from his eyes! [_Lipscomb_
thinks it was the supernormal g... [ Continue Reading ]