Textual Studies From The Gospel Of Luke
& The Acts Of The Apostles
Lesson 31 – Choosing The 7 6:1-6
• The N.T. church keeps growing v. 1a
• Such growth often brings problems…the
early church had a major one v. 1b
• Hellenistic Jewish widows were neglected
• (Non-Palestinian Greek speaking Jews)
• They complained against the native Jews
Lesson 31 – Choosing The 7 6:1-6
• This “threat” was not like the earlier ones
the church had weathered…it was internal
• The apostles knew what wasn’t the solution
• They could not “neglect the word of God to
serve tables” vv. 2, 4
• The disciples were to choose 7 men v. 3
Lesson 31 – Choosing The 7 6:1-6
• The 7 had to be capable, qualified v. 3
• This idea met with the congregation’s
approval…they “looked among themselves”
and chose 7 men v. 5
• Interesting: all the names are Greek
• Possibly chose from among those affected?
Lesson 31 – Choosing The 7 6:1-6
• The 7 were brought before the apostles for
prayer and laying on hands v. 6
• Acts 6:1-6 offers some “guidance” today…
• We can use the principles emphasized when
we are selecting elders & deacons
• Rebukes elders who act like “glorified deacons”
Lesson 31 – Choosing The 7 6:1-6
• Acts 6:1-6 offers some “guidance” today…
• When solving church problems –
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Act swiftly
Led by those in positions of leadership
Involve the whole multitude (congregation)
Place the solution in hands of those most
- Waldron’s Book (p. 34)
closely involved
Lesson 31 – Continued Growth 6:7
• The “word of God kept on spreading” and
“the number of the disciples continued to
increase greatly in Jerusalem”
• Significant was that a great many priests
obeyed the gospel, leaving Judaism
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• One of the 7 cp. v. 5
• He wasn’t just a “server” to widows…he was
involved in preaching the gospel 6:8
• He could also perform signs & wonders
• The apostles had laid their hands upon him
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• Opposed by some from Synagogue of the
Freedmen (Libertines – freed slaves) 6:9
• Despite their efforts to oppose him, they
could refute what Stephen said 6:10
• They “secretly induced” (bribed) men to
falsely testify against him 6:11-14
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• Standing before the council, Stephen’s face
appears “as the face of an angel” 6:15
• Some view this miraculously (a halo, etc.)
4• Others say this is a reference to Stephen’s
confidence and full knowledge at what was
happening to him
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• The high priest “formally” questions
Stephen in light of the “charges” 7:1
• Stephen must answer “false charges” before
the same group who “held trial” over Jesus
cp. Mt 26:59-66
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• Stephen’s response 7:2-53
• A message of indictment…not persuasion
• A review of faithful servants of God on behalf
of His plans for the nation
• A review of unfaithful Israel…one of continual
rejection of leaders sent by God
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• Stephen’s response 7:2-53
• Abraham – faithful in receiving the promises
vv. 2-8
• Joseph – faithful in preserving the nation
while in Egypt vv. 9-16
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• Stephen’s response 7:2-53
• Moses
– faithful in delivering the nation
from bondage as well as leading
in the wilderness & prophesying
about the coming Christ vv. 17-44
(“Disowned” by Israel” v. 35)
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• Stephen’s response 7:2-53
• Joshua – faithful in leading the nation in
conquering the land v. 45
• David & Solomon – faithful in ruling the
kingdom…building
God’s house vv. 46-50
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• Stephen’s response 7:2-53
• He concludes with a “rebuke” vv. 51-53
• His present audience was like O.T. Israel…
“stiff-necked & uncircumcised of heart”
• Always resisting God
• Murderers of the Messiah cp. 2:23 3:15 4:10
5:30
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• The council’s reaction 7:54
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They were “cut to the quick”
Not like 2:37 – shame & guilt of sin cp. 2:41
Like 5:33 – anger & pride at being accused
They “gnash their teeth at him” (hate, scorn)
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• Stephen’s death 7:55-60
• He is “full of the Holy Spirit” v. 55a cp. 6:6
• He is also provided a “glimpse” of the heavenly
glory of God and Christ standing at the Father’s
right hand vv. 55b-56
• Divine respect cp. Eph 1:19-23 Heb 10:10-13
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• Stephen’s death 7:55-60
• The Jews cry out & cover their ears, begin
stoning Stephen vv. 57-58
• This was “mob rule” & illegal cp. Jn 18:31
• A young man named Saul “guards” their robes
while they stone him cp. 22:20 1 Tim 1:12-15
Lesson 31 – Stephen 6:8 – 7:60
• Stephen’s death 7:55-60
• Stephen’s last words… vv. 59-60
• A request for the Lord to receive his spirit
• A request for the Lord not to hold this sin
against the Jews cp. Mt 10:25a Lk 23:34
• The cause of Christ had its first martyr!!