Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

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Acts 6

Seven Chosen to Serve

Acts 6:¹ Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, (Greek-speaking Jews) because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

Acts 6:² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

• The twelve disciples with the exclusion of Judas and the inclusion of Matthias. (Acts 1:26)

Acts 6:³ Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

• The number seven is a covenant, an oath, a promise, or a treaty. It means completion and fulfillment.
  See: Numbers Symbolism

Acts 6:⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

• Acts 21:8
  On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
• A proselyte is a person who has changed from one opinion, religious belief, sect, or the like, to another; a convert. Used also for new converts.

Philip

Prochorus

Nicanor

Timon

Parmenas

Nicolas

Stephen Did great wonders and signs among the people A Martyr

Acts 6:⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

Acts 6:⁷ Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

Acts 6:⁸ And Stephen, full of faith (grace) and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 6:⁹ Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

• The Synagogue of the Freedmen is called the Synagogue of the Libertines. The word libertine is from the Latin and originally referred to a man who had been a slave but had been set at liberty. Some scholars believe that these persons were slaves of the Romans who had been freed, became proselytes of the Jewish religion, and had a synagogue in Jerusalem.
  
  Other scholars contend that these freedmen were not Jewish proselytes but Jews by birth who had been taken into captivity by the Romans and then set free and subsequently called liberti or libertini. There were many such Jews. Some have speculated that among these zealous members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen was Saul of Tarsus, who would have been more than capable of disputing with Stephen in matters of religion.
  From: Got Questions.org
  
• It is quite possible that Saul was present for the trial of Stephen—a trial that resulted in Stephen becoming the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54–60). The historian Luke tells us that Stephen’s executioners laid their garments at the feet of Saul (Acts 7:58), who was in full approval of the mob’s murderous actions (Acts 8:1)
  From: Got Questions.org

Acts 6:¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

• Acts 7:58-59 And they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
  And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Acts 6:¹¹ Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

Acts 6:¹² And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

• They also stirred up one notable Pharisee: Saul who became Paul of Tarsus.

Acts 6:¹³ They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;

Acts 6:¹⁴ for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

Acts 6:¹⁵ And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

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