Welcome Back Friends to Hope is a prayer away
I’m your host, Pastor JJ
In today’s Bible Study, we are going to study:
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Stephen the Archdeacon
Seven Chosen to Serve
Etymology on the Title of Deacon:
Greek word: Diakonos #1249 ( A servant )
The name Stephen is Greek, and chapter 6 of Acts of the Apostles tells us that he was a Hellenist (a foreign-born Jew who spoke Greek).
He lived in Jerusalem and had become a Christian.
Stephen, the First Deacon
The Hellenist converts, who probably formed a minority in the early Christian community, complained that the care of their elderly widows was neglected by the Hebrew-speaking majority.
The Apostles presented the matter to the congregation and, pleading the press of responsibilities, instructed it to select seven deacons for this community service.
They were chosen and ordained, and Stephen, who became the best known of the seven, was recognized as a man with special gifts as an evangelist.
He engaged in religious discussions among the adherents of synagogues of Diaspora Jews in the capital.
Growth in the number of Jewish converts, including “many of the priests,” provoked a reaction.
He was summoned before the Sanhedrin, the supreme rabbinic court in Jerusalem, and charged with speaking against “this holy place and the law.”
The charge is very general; the report of his defense before the Sanhedrin is the primary resource for learning what Stephen stood for.
Acts 6: 1-15 ( NKJV)
6 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
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.
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;
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 the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
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
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
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.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
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