THE BOOK OF ACTS. CHAPTER. OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY. MARK DUNAGAN I. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 6: I. The Seven Chosen: Acts 6:1-6 II. Continual Growth: Acts 6:7 III. Stephen Arrested and Accused: Acts 6:8-15 II. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS: 'The devil's next attack was the cleverest of the three. Having fai... [ Continue Reading ]
Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose. murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 'NOW IN THESE DAYS'-Most feel that the first six Chapter s of Acts cover. time period from 4-6 years.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 'AND THE TWELVE'-Contrary to the claims of some critics, Matthias was Scripturally elected and is viewed by the Holy Spirit as being. legitimate apostle.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 'LOOK YE OUT THEREFORE'-'Select from among you' (NASV). 'The term "look ye out" means to "look at" in order to select, to "seek out" as persons for off... [ Continue Reading ]
But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word. 'CONTINUE STEDFASTLY'-'devote ourselves whole-heartedly' (Phi) 'IN PRAYER'-both public and private. The apostles believed in the power of prayer (James 5:17). Unfortunately, even today many view prayer as kind of. last-dit... [ Continue Reading ]
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen,. man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus. proselyte of Antioch; 'PLEASED THE WHOLE MULTITUDE'-'found approval with the whole congregation' (NASV); 'The... [ Continue Reading ]
whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them. 'WHEN THEY HAD PRAYED'-We often find prayer occupying an essential part when people are being placed into an area of service (Luke 6:12; Acts 1:24; Acts 13:3). 'LAID THEIR HANDS UPON THEM'-In other places... [ Continue Reading ]
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and. great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 'AND THE WORD OF GOD INCREASED'-The very goal the apostles were after (Acts 6:4). One writer pointed out that the word of God (i.e. the s... [ Continue Reading ]
And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people. 'FULL OF GRACE'-The KJV has full of "faith". 'POWER'-i.e. able to work miracles. 'This is the first exhibition of miraculous power by any but an apostle.' (McGarvey p. 111) 'GREAT WONDERS AND SIGNS'-We have al... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 'AROSE'-in. hostile sense. Evidently Stephen has being doing the above things for some time. His... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. 'TO WITHSTAND THE WISDOM AND THE SPIRIT BY WHICH HE SPAKE'-'The Greek is very forceful, and literally reads, "They had no strength to withstand". They were not able to answer his arguments.' (Reese p. 260) 'SPIRIT'-No... [ Continue Reading ]
Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 'SUBORNED'-5260. hupoballo hoop-ob-al'-lo; from 5259 and 906; to throw in stealthily, i.e. introduce by collusion: -suborn. -'to bring men under one's control by suggestion or by money.' (Ro... [ Continue Reading ]
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, 'STIRRED UP THE PEOPLE'-'roused the feelings of the people' (Knox). They had done the same thing in reference to Jesus (Matthew 27:20). Points to Note: Up to this... [ Continue Reading ]
and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: 'SET UP FALSE WITNESSES'-'There they had false witnesses stand up and lie' (Beck). One writer notes, 'The similarity of Stephen's trial to that of our Lord is striking. The same set purpo... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 'WE HAVE HEARD HIM SAY'-The fact that the witnesses are called false witnesses, infers that they distorted or misrepresented Stephen's preaching. Or, they did... [ Continue Reading ]
And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. 'FASTENING THEIR EYES ON HIM'-'With this look, they said, "What do you have to say for yourself in answer to these charges?"' (Reese p. 263) 'SAW HIS FACE AS IT HAD BEEN THE FACE OF AN A... [ Continue Reading ]