WHO WERE THE GRECIANS? Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring <1112> of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 1112 goggusmos {gong-goos-mos'}n m AV - murmuring 3, grudging 1; 4 The Grecians were also Jews but born outside the land. This naturally caused a class distinction leading to social strains and murmuring.

How is this an example of right priority? Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. The priority is the Word but that doesn’t mean where money or murmuring is, the A.B. doesn’t take immediate action. Unlike Moses the disciples quickly dwelt with this need and without losing the proper balance. Is this serving tables?

Was this a good solution? Acts 6:3-4 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. [4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Why “seven men”? Seven is linked with the ecclesia while 12 is linked with Israel. There were seven ecclesias in the Revelations. There were seven baskets of fragments taken up with the feeding of the four thousand. Yes, it still gives priority to the Word & deals with the murmuring.

What is common in the names of these seven chosen men? Acts 6:5-6 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: They all had Greek names which gives insight to handling problems of race and culture.

Did receiving the holy spirit include being able to pass this power to others? Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. The answer is found in Acts 8 for after Philip went to preach and many believed it was still necessary for Peter to come that they receive the holy spirit.

Why is this example in Acts 8 so important today? Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ ... Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: [15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. The believing Samaritans including Simon were given the holy spirit but Simon then offered Peter money that he might like Peter have the power to pass the holy spirit on to others. Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given he offered them money, This shows after the apostles died the holy spirit died with the next generation. Today therefore this power isn’t available.

Who were the priests here? Acts 6:7-8 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. These were Levites like Zechariah who were humble men who performed the priestly duties. This would vex and concern the Sanhedrin. (NIV) Luke 1:8 Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

Who were of the synagogue of the Libertines? Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. [9] Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. This synagogue was made up of Jewish slaves who had won their freedom and had gone back to Jerusalem to live. Paul from Cilicia. Acts 21:39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, …

What were the charges against Stephen? Acts 6:10-13 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. [11] Then they suborned (bribed) men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. [12] And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, [13] And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: That Stephen spoke blasphemy against the temple and the law.

What is the irony in their seeing Stephen’s face as the face of an angel? Acts 6:14-15 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. [15] And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel They were accusing Stephen of blaspheming against the temple and “the customs” of Moses and they were seeing Stephen’s face shine as Moses’ face did. The irony was that God’s glory had not come to their temple that Herod built.