Seven Chosen to Serve Acts 6: 1-7
1. Who were the Hellenists?
These were the Grecian Jews. They were born in lands other than Palestine and spoke the Greek language. They were more Grecian than Hebraic in their attitudes and outlook.
2. Who were the Hebrews?
These were the Hebraic Jews. They were the ones who spoke the Aramaic and/or Hebrew language(s) of Palestine and preserved the Jewish culture and customs.
3. What was the complaint the Hellenists had against the Hebrews?
That their widows were not being treated fairly in the daily distribution of food. With no one to care for the widow's they became the church's responsibility.
4. So then the issue was really not who to blame..but what solution needed to be made to remedy the problem. What did they decide to do about that problem?
The 12 disciples, who were responsible for church life in general, including the ministry of the word of God and the care of the needy, asked for 7 men who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom to be chosen to care for the needs of the widows.
5. What quailifications did these seven men have to have in order to be on that committee?
Oops, jumped ahead on number 4...lol.
The qualities required were that they were known to be full of the Holy Spirit and with wisdom.
6. Why did the leaders of the church not want to serve in this manner?
What did they plan to continue to do?
They didn't want to neglect the ministry of the word of God. They were concerned about the spiritual ministry and didn't want it set aside or diminished in order to see to the material ministry. They continued to preach the word of God in order to continue building the church.
7. Who were the men that were chosen for this committee?
Their names were Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
My bible notes state that it is significant that all seven of the men chosen had Greek names. The complaining had come from the Greek-speaking segment of the church; so those elected to care for the work came from their number so as to represent their interests fairly.
Of Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism, my bible notes say that it is significant that a proselyte (a new convert to a doctrine or religion) was included in the number and that Luke points out his place of origin as Antioch, the city to which the gospel was soon to be taken and which was to become the "headquarters" for the forthcoming Gentile missionary effort.
8. What did the leaders do with these men before they served in this capacity? (v.6)
The church elected them and the apostles "ordained" them. In this way they were appointed to their work. By being "ordained" the apostles laid their hands on them and prayed (much how prayer is done today!).
My bible notes state that the laying on of hands was used in the OT period to confer blessing, to transfer guilt from sinner to sacrifice, and to commission a person for a new responsibility. In the NT period, laying on of hands was observed in healing, blessing, ordaining or commissioning, and imparting of spiritual gifts.
These seven men were appointed to responsibilities turned over to them by the Twelve (disciples). The Greek word used to describe their responsibility ("wait on") is the verb from which the noun "deacon" comes. The Greek noun for "deacon" can also be translated "minister" or "servant." The men appointed on this occasion were simply called the Seven, just as the apostles were called the Twelve. It is disputed whether the Seven were the first deacons or were later replaced by deacons.
9. Tell what happened in verse seven and why do you think this happened?
Verse 7 tells us "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."
Because the Twelve had their time freed to concentrate solely on spreading the word of God they were able to bring many people to Christ and make disciples of them....this built up the church quite a bit.
My notes of the priests state that though they were involved by lineage and life service in the preistly observances of the old covenant, they accepted the preaching of the apostles, which proclaimed a sacrifice that made the old sacrifices unnecessary. The priests responded to the commands of the gospel. To believe is to obey God. Faith istelf is obedience, but faith also produces obedience.
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