Woven baskets of flatbread, clay oil jars and stacked bowls set along a low limestone wall in a Jerusalem courtyard at dawn.

The Book of

Acts 6

Hungry widows, a wise plan, seven new servants, and one of them standing before the council with a face like an angel.

15 verses≈ 3 min3 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

The Choosing of the Seven

An elderly widow in a dark shawl holding an empty bowl at the back edge of a crowded food line, with bread being handed out far ahead.

In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

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The apostles

So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.

The apostles

Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.

The apostles

We will assign this responsibility to them and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

The problem and the plan

Whiteboard

A real complaint met a wise plan. Seven men took on the daily distribution, the apostles kept to prayer and the word, and “the word of God continued to spread.” Serving tables and serving the word both belong to the work of the Lord.

The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Reflect

Who is being overlooked?

The problem in Acts 6 was quiet. Some widows were simply being “overlooked.” The church listened, and gave the job to people “full of the Spirit and wisdom.” Who in your church or your circle is easy to miss? What is one practical thing you could do for them this week?

The Arrest of Stephen

Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

full of grace and power

Acts 6:8

But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen,

Stylised map · locations approximate

Where it happened

The world in one synagogue

Stephen’s opponents came from the “Synagogue of the Freedmen”: Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria in Africa, and from Cilicia and Asia in the north. One of the Seven, Nicolas, came from Antioch. The Greek-speaking world was already in Jerusalem, long before the gospel went out to it.

but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

Acts 6:10

Question

Quick question

Stephen’s opponents had come to Jerusalem from across the Roman world.

Which places does Luke name for the men of the Synagogue of the Freedmen?

False witnesses

Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”

So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,

False witnesses

where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

False witnesses

For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

A lone man standing in the center of a stone council hall, seen from behind, soft pale light falling on him as seated elders stare.

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

0:08

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Pray

Grace under pressure

Stephen was falsely accused and brought before the council, yet those who stared at him saw a face “like the face of an angel.” Ask the Lord for that kind of peace when you are misunderstood or opposed: a heart full of His Spirit, words full of His wisdom, and a face that shows where your trust is.

You’ve experienced

Acts 6

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A verse to carry with you

Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 6:8

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