1. Seven Full of Spirit and Wisdom Acts 6:1-7

2. 1. What complaint did the Greek Jews have against the Hebrew Jews
1. What complaint did the Greek Jews have against the Hebrew Jews? Acts 6:1
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food.

3. Grecians
Hellenists: Greek-Jews; born in a foreign country, and did not speak Hebrew, nor join in the Hebrew-Jews services, but had synagogues of their own in Jerusalem.

4. Deacons Read 1 Timothy 3:8-13

5. 2. Who did the Apostles call together to discuss the complaint
2. Who did the Apostles call together to discuss the complaint? 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.

6. 3. What characteristics in seven men the Apostles listed as qualifications? Acts 6:3

7. 4. What two areas the Apostles wanted to commit themselves to? Acts 6:4

8. 5. Was the Apostles suggestion acceptable to the people
5. Was the Apostles suggestion acceptable to the people? [yes] [no] Acts 6:5
1. Stephen is a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit
2. Philip is the evangelist. The Eunuch believed.
3. Prochorus means leader of the chorus.
4. Nicolas means victory of the people. A proselyte.
5. Timon means honor.
6. Parmenas means constant.
7. Nicanor means conqueror.

9. 6. After they prayed for the chosen seven deacons, what did they do
6. After they prayed for the chosen seven deacons, what did they do? Acts 6:6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

10. Laying on Hands
For the laying on of hands is a mode of conveying a special grace and blessing.
Read
Numbers 27:18-23
Deuteronomy 34:9

11. 7. What great company became obedient to the faith? Acts 6:7
New Living Translation So God's message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

12. Priests became Believers
A great company of priests were obedient to the faith; that is, to the Gospel, which believed the articles of faith. Christ is the great object of faith and is the means of producing faith. To obey this is cordially to embrace the doctrines of the Gospel and cheerfully to submit to the ordinances of it.

13. Summary (Greek & Hebrews)
As the believers increased in numbers, there were complaints about mistreatment. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

14. Summary (Conflict)
To resolve this conflict, the Apostles said to the multitude, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility to ensure equality.

15. Summary (Solution)
They chose Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). They prayed and laid hands on them as a mode of conveying a special grace and blessing. Many of the Jewish priests were converted to believers in Jesus Christ, too.

16. Managing Conflict
Lauren Mackler at Harvard Business School - Managing Conflict

17. Review
1. What complaint did the Greek Jews have against the Hebrew Jews?
2. Who did the Apostles call together to discuss the complaint?
3. What characteristics in seven men the Apostles listed as qualifications?

18. Review 4. What two areas the Apostles wanted to commit themselves to?
5. Was the Apostles suggestion acceptable to the people? [yes] [no]
6. After they prayed for the chosen seven deacons, what did they do?

19. Review
7. As followers of Jesus Christ increased, what great company became obedient to the faith?

20. What is the Good News in this lesson?