Now in those days, when _the number of_ the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 1. The church began by adding 3,000 souls. (2:41) Then more were added daily. (2:47) The number grew t... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE TWELVE SUMMONED THE MULTITUDE OF THE DISCIPLES AND SAID, " IT IS NOT DESIRABLE THAT WE SHOULD LEAVE THE WORD OF GOD AND SERVE TABLES. 1. It was time for a "family meeting" - The apostles called a meeting of all the church. 2. We have a job to do. We can not stop preaching to cook green be... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, BRETHREN, SEEK OUT FROM AMONG YOU SEVEN MEN OF _GOOD_ REPUTATION, FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WISDOM, WHOM WE MAY APPOINT OVER THIS BUSINESS; 1. How many deacons does a church need? As many as it takes to take care of the "business" of the church. Churches have great variety in the numbe... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE WILL GIVE OURSELVES CONTINUALLY TO PRAYER AND TO THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD. " 1. For many years it was thought that elders took care of spiritual matters, and deacons were to manage physical things. Deacons can also oversee programs of work that are spiritual. 2. The apostles would continue... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SAYING PLEASED THE WHOLE MULTITUDE. AND THEY CHOSE STEPHEN, A MAN FULL OF FAITH AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND PHILIP, PROCHORUS, NICANOR, TIMON, PARMENAS, AND NICOLAS, A PROSELYTE FROM ANTIOCH, 1. The whole congregation agreed with the plan and proposal. 2. There has been a lot of discussion ab... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM THEY SET BEFORE THE APOSTLES; AND WHEN THEY HAD PRAYED, THEY LAID HANDS ON THEM. 1. Once selected (nominated), they were brought to the apostles. The apostles prayed for them. 2. They laid their hands on them. Here we are introduced to the second level of miracles in the NT church. 1. The ap... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE WORD OF GOD SPREAD, AND THE NUMBER OF THE DISCIPLES MULTIPLIED GREATLY IN JERUSALEM, AND A GREAT MANY OF THE PRIESTS WERE OBEDIENT TO THE FAITH. 1. Again we see the pattern of church growth. Problem. Problem solved. Church grows. 2. Here we are introduced to a new term. From Acts 2:1-47 b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND STEPHEN, FULL OF FAITH AND POWER, DID GREAT WONDERS AND SIGNS AMONG THE PEOPLE. 1. We are told nothing about how these seven men worked and solved the problem. 2. Luke now moves on to tell us about the work of Stephen. 3. Stephen was full of faith and power (imparted to him by the apostles) a... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THERE AROSE SOME FROM WHAT IS CALLED THE SYNAGOGUE OF THE FREEDMEN (CYRENIANS, ALEXANDRIANS, AND THOSE FROM CILICIA AND ASIA), DISPUTING WITH STEPHEN. 1. Synagogue - is a Greek word meaning - gather together. The synagogue was a place people gathered together to read, disucss and study the Scr... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RESIST THE WISDOM AND THE SPIRIT BY WHICH HE SPOKE. 1. Being Roman citizens gave them some advantages - in courts, with the judicial system, and rights of travel. 2. But they did not have the ability to resist the wisdom which came from Stephen.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY SECRETLY INDUCED MEN TO SAY, " WE HAVE HEARD HIM SPEAK BLASPHEMOUS WORDS AGAINST MOSES AND GOD. " 1. In similar fashion to what the Jewish leaders did to Jesus, these men sought to discredit Stephen by accusing him of speaking against Moses' Law and against God. 2. Blasphemy is the speak... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY STIRRED UP THE PEOPLE, THE ELDERS, AND THE SCRIBES; AND THEY CAME UPON _HIM,_ SEIZED HIM, AND BROUGHT _HIM_ TO THE COUNCIL. 1. They got the people, elders and the scribes stirred up. Again, similar to what happened with Jesus. 2. They arrested him and brought him before the council - the... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ALSO SET UP FALSE WITNESSES WHO SAID, " THIS MAN DOES NOT CEASE TO SPEAK BLASPHEMOUS WORDS AGAINST THIS HOLY PLACE AND THE LAW; 1. The arranged for men to lie (false witness) against Stephen. 2. When one speaks in a defamatory way of the Law or the Temple - they were said to blaspheme. So tha... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE HAVE HEARD HIM SAY THAT THIS JESUS OF NAZARETH WILL DESTROY THIS PLACE AND CHANGE THE CUSTOMS WHICH MOSES DELIVERED TO US. " 1. And yet another similarity with the death of Jesus - they charged him with saying that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple. 2. They also accused him of teac... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALL WHO SAT IN THE COUNCIL, LOOKING STEADFASTLY AT HIM, SAW HIS FACE AS THE FACE OF AN ANGEL. 1. All who were in that meeting watched with great interest to see how he handled the charges made against him. 2. They knew the charges were false. But, if he called these men liars, he would be in d... [ Continue Reading ]