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Acts 6

15 verses

TL;DR

As the early church grows, the apostles appoint seven deacons to serve the needy, leading to increased faith, miracles by Stephen, and the beginnings of persecution.

Summary

When the disciples multiplied, a complaint arose that Greek widows were neglected, prompting the apostles to call the community together and elect seven faithful men to manage the distribution of food. The chosen deacons—Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas—were laid hands upon by the apostles and committed to prayer and teaching. The apostles’ decision resulted in the word of God spreading rapidly, the number of disciples growing, and many priests embracing the faith. Stephen, filled with faith and power, performed great miracles and wonders, attracting the attention of various Gentile groups. These Gentile members, including those from the synagogue of the Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicia, and Asia, accused Stephen of blasphemy and stirred the elders and scribes against him. The council, confronted with false witnesses, saw Stephen’s face as that of an angel, indicating his divine status while setting the stage for his future martyrdom.

Outline
  1. Growing church and need for deacons to serve widows
  2. Selection, ordination, and commissioning of seven deacons
  3. Stephen’s ministry, miracles, and emerging persecution
Themes
Community service and care for the marginalizedLeadership and delegation within the early churchFaithful witness amid persecution
Keywords
deaconsapostlesStephenmiraclespersecutioncouncilfalse witnessesHoly Ghostword of Godangel
People
Apostles (the Twelve)StephenPhilipProchorusNicanorTimonParmenasNicolasMembers of the synagogue of the LibertinesCyreniansAlexandriansCiliciansAsiansCouncil eldersScribes
Places
JerusalemAntiochSynagogue of the LibertinesCiliciaAsia
Things
Word of GodHoly GhostDeaconsMiracles and wondersFalse witnessesCouncilAngel’s face
Key Verses
  • Acts 6:5: Shows the deliberate and communal process of choosing deacons to address practical needs.
  • Acts 6:8: Highlights Stephen’s powerful ministry and the tangible impact of faith in action.
  • Acts 6:15: Demonstrates the divine recognition of Stephen’s holiness, foreshadowing his martyrdom.
Questions
  • What practical challenges did the early church face that led to the appointment of deacons?
  • How does Stephen’s ministry illustrate the relationship between faith, power, and service?
  • In what ways does the council’s reaction to Stephen foreshadow the broader conflict between the early church and Jewish authorities?
  • What does the description of Stephen’s face as that of an angel suggest about his identity and mission?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter portrays both growth and compassion alongside emerging hostility and conflict.