Acts 6:5

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 whole group liked the idea' (Beck).

Point to Note:

Here again we see that unity is. real possibility. This issue could be resolved because the members respected the authority of the apostles and they wanted things to work in the congregation.

'THEY CHOSE'-The text doesn't reveal all the particulars concerning how the congregation finally came up with these seven men, i.e. were names put forward, did people vote, etc...Hence we learn that the congregation has some liberty in the selection process that it chooses to use in appointing elders and deacons.

'STEPHEN'-4736. Stephanos stef'-an-os; the same as 4735; Stephanus,. Christian: -Stephen.

-Probably mentioned first, because he will later figure prominently in this chapter and the next.

'FULL OF FAITH AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'-'a man of firm faith' (Rieu) 'a man who had. good grasp of the doctrines of Christ,. man of settled convictions.' (Reese p. 253)

'PHILIP'-5376. Philippos fil'-ip-pos; from 5384 and 2462; fond of horses; Philippus, the name of four Israelites: -Philip.

-Who will preach to the Samaritans and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:1). Also known as Philip the Evangelist (Acts 21:8).

'PROCHORUS'-4402. Prochoros prokh'-or-os; from 4253 and 5525; before the dance; Prochorus,. Christian: -Prochorus.

-(PRAHK uh ruhs).

'NICANOR'-3527. Nikanor nik-an'-ore; probably from 3528; victorious; Nicanor,. Christian: -Nicanor.

-(nie KAY nor)

'TIMON'-5096. Timon tee'-mone; from 5092; valuable; Timon,. Christian: -Timon.

-(TIE muhn).

'PARMENAS'-3937. Parmenas par-men-as'; probably by contraction for Parmenides (a derivative of. compound of 3844 and 3306); constant; Parmenas,. Christian: -Parmenas.

-(PAHR muh nuhs)

'NICOLAUS'-or Nicholas. (nick uh LAY us).

'A PROSELYTE OF ANTIOCH'-Apparently Antioch had been the home town of this man. The word "proselyte" means that he had converted from paganism to Judaism and then he had become. Christian.

Points to Note:

The fact that this man had made it from paganism, to Judaism, to Christianity, proves that if. person really loves the truth, they will find it (John 7:17). Some people will argue, but. have already changed once, or. am done changing religions or religious bodies. That type of excuse doesn't stand in the way of the person looking for the truth.

All seven names in this section are Greek names. Now some are quick to point out that this doesn't inherently mean these were 'Hellenistic Jews', for many Hebrews also had Greek names, i.e. Philip, Paul. But McGarvey might be right when he notes, 'It is. remarkable manifestation of generosity in the church at large that all these are Greek names, indicating that the men were selected from the very party whence the murmuring had proceeded. It was as if the Hebrews had said, We have no selfish ends to accomplish, and no jealousy toward you whose widows have been neglected; we therefore give the whole business into your hands, and fearlessly trust our widows to your care...it was. continuation of the perfect unity which had existed before, and which the murmuring had not been allowed to interrupt.' (p. 106)