Our titles for today’s study are; Verses 1-7 Provisions are made for the widows. Verses 8-15 Stephen is arrested. Acts 6 is an exciting chapter today that I hope will give all of us courage for these end times. Acts 6 and verse 1 reads.
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 ministration.
Grecians are Hellenists G1675 Hellēnistēs pronounced hel-lay-nis-tace’. A Hellenist or Greek speaking Jew. 1. a Hellenist. a. one who imitates the manners and customs or the worship of the Greeks, and use the Greek tongue. b. used in the NT of Jews born in foreign lands and speaking Greek. What we have is those of the house of Jacob (not Jews only) who were born in other countries and speak Greek. What were they complaining about? That the widows were being neglected by the temple of their daily duties for the widows and the poor.
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.
Many of them that followed were disciples of Christ, and chose to serve the Lord. These are those that the twelve talked to. Those who delivered the testimony of Jesus Christ to the people have no time to do the housekeeping of the church.
Acts 6:3] 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.
These seven will serve the Lord on this accord. And they will be left behind to teach the truth not only to the widows but to Judah. Notice they need to be full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit.
Acts 6:4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
[5] 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:
These seven were filled with the Holy Spirit. Proselyte G4339 prosēlutos pronounced pros-ah’-loo-tos. A proselyte. a. one who has come over from a Gentile religion to Judaism. In other words, one who converted to Judaism. Remember Grecian from above.
Acts 6:6] Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Christians are to lay hands on one another it is in deep prayer that the Lord comes on one in great faith. Let’s go to Deuteronomy 34 and verse 9 reads.
Deu.34:9] And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
The changing of the guard from Moses to Joshua. Now let’s go to James 5 and verse 13 reads.
James 5:13] Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
[14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
[15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Yes, we are to anoint each other in the name of Jesus Christ. Christ means; The Anointed One and we are Christians. Back to Acts 6 and verse 7 reads.
Acts 6:7] 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.
Even priests of the synagogues joined the faith, and became disciples of the Lord. This church is growing very fast. Not so long after we read in John about many of these leaders in the synagogues coming to believe in Jesus. John 12 and verse 42 reads.
John 12:42] Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
[43] For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
More and more are converting, praise the LORD. Back to Acts 6 and verse 8 reads.
Acts 6:8] And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Let’s go back to Acts 2 and verse 43 reads.
Acts 2:43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Stephen is now one of the apostles, he is Anointed, and he will give a great teaching to those that crucified our Lord Jesus Christ. Back to Acts 6 and verse 9 reads.
Acts 6:9] 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.
The scribes and the elders disputed with Stephen about what?
Acts 6:10] And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
They could not argue with the Holy Spirit. Which came out of Stephen. This is what we need to learn. That when we are delivered up to the synagogue of Satan, it will be the Holy Spirit that speaks through us. Moses gave us this great example, let’s go to Exodus 4 and verse 10 reads.
Exo.4:10] And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
[11] And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
[12] Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
And in Isaiah 54 and verse 17 reads.
Isa.54:17] No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Now, why this is so important, let’s go to Mark 13 and verse 9 reads.
Mark 13:9] But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
[10] And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
[11] But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
The same Holy Spirit that will speak through Stephen in the next chapter will also speak through you in these end times. Just notice that these seven have the Holy Spirit with them at this time as well for our example. Back to Acts 6 and verse 11 reads.
Acts 6:11] Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Stephen spoke of Moses, which they claim to know. But Moses spoke of the Savior, who they crucified. Let’s go to Deuteronomy 18 and verse 15 reads.
Deu.18:15] The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
[16] According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
[17] And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
[18] I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Stephen knew the scriptures, those that accuse him do not. But they claim to sit in the seat of Moses, claim to be of Judah, but do lie. Back to Acts 6 and verse 12 reads.
Acts 6:12] 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,
Remember this will happen to God’s Elect. When they deliver us to the synagogue of Satan. Let’s go to Revelation 2 and verse 8 reads.
Rev.2:8] And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
[9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
[10] Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
[11] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
This second death is the death of the soul. Notice that we have only ten days, this should comfort you. Back to Acts and verse 13 reads.
Acts 6:13] And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Just like with Jesus, these are Kenites. Their father was a liar and a murderer from the beginning, and like father, like son.
Acts 6:14] For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Do you think they are telling the truth? No. Let’s go back to John 2 and verse 19 reads.
John 2:19] Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
[20] Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
[21] But he spake of the temple of his body.
They lied again, the same people that lied about Jesus, lied about Stephen. For Jesus did not say I will destroy it but IF you destroy it, then I would raise it up in three days. Jesus was speaking of his body being the temple, and that he would resurrect again on the third day. This proves that these are Kenites, and not only did they knowingly crucify the Lord, but that they will come for the Elect in the last days. I pray you are ready. Back to Acts 6 and verse 15 reads.
Acts 6:15] And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Looking at Stephen, they could see that he was an anointed one of God. This must have been terrifying to them. I want to let you know that when we are delivered up to them in these end times, fear not for the Lord is with you. This is the Spirit of prophecy, Who was, Who is and Who is to come. Revelation 19 and verse 10 reads.
Rev.19:10] And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible