What does Acts 6:1-7 mean?
"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." - Acts 6:1-7
The Bible verse Acts 6:1-7 in the King James Version (KJV) reads:
"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. 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. 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. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 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: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 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."
This passage is set in the early days of the Christian church, shortly after the time of Jesus' ministry and crucifixion. The disciples are growing in number, and as a result, there is a struggle to meet the practical needs of the community, particularly in the equitable distribution of resources to different ethnic groups within the church. This situation highlights the importance of organization and delegation within the church, as well as the need for unity and fair treatment among all members of the body of Christ.
One of the central themes of this passage is the importance of addressing social and practical needs within the Christian community. The early church, like any community, faced practical challenges in caring for its members, especially in a diverse and multicultural context. The Grecian widows, who were likely culturally and linguistically different from the Hebrew widows, were feeling neglected in the distribution of resources. This conflict threatened to disrupt the unity and effectiveness of the early church, prompting the Twelve disciples to intervene and establish a more equitable system for meeting the needs of all members.
This passage also emphasizes the importance of spiritual leadership and the qualifications for those who serve in positions of authority within the church. The Twelve disciples recognized the need for trusted and capable individuals to oversee the practical affairs of the church, allowing them to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. They called upon the congregation to select seven men of "honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom" to take on this responsibility. This criteria highlights the importance of moral character, spiritual maturity, and wisdom in those who hold positions of leadership and service within the church.
Furthermore, this passage showcases the power of prayer and the laying on of hands in commissioning leaders within the church. The congregation prayed for the seven chosen men and laid their hands on them, symbolizing the impartation of spiritual authority and blessing for their new roles. This act of commissioning demonstrates the belief in the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment in the selection and ordination of leaders within the church.
Ultimately, the outcome of this situation is a testimony to the faithfulness and wisdom of God's design for the early church. As a result of establishing a system to address the practical needs of the community and the appointment of capable leaders to oversee this responsibility, the word of God increased, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly. This passage serves as a model for the importance of addressing practical needs, maintaining unity and fairness within the Christian community, and the significance of spiritual leadership and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the early church and beyond.
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Acts 6:1-7 Artwork
Acts 6:1-7 - "Acts 6:1-7 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 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."
"Acts 6:1-7 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 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." - Acts 6:1-7
Acts 3:6-7
Acts 3:6-7
Acts 3:6-7
Acts 3:6-7
Acts 3:6-7
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."
Acts 7:1 - "Then said the high priest, Are these things so?"
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."
Acts 7:6 - "And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years."
"Then said the high priest, Are these things so?" - Acts 7:1
1 Corinthians 7:6 - "But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment."
1 Peter 5:6-7
1 Peter 5:6-7
1 Kings 10:6 - "And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom."
Acts 1:7 - "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."
1 Chronicles 7:6 - "¶ The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three."
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Acts 1:6 - "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?"
1 Kings 15:7 - "Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam."
"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." - Acts 6:1
Corinthians 9:6-7 for Christmas card with little kids.
1 Timothy 6:7 - "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."
"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." - Acts 6:7
1 Samuel 12:7 - "Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers."
Acts 14:7 - "And there they preached the gospel."
"But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment." - 1 Corinthians 7:6
Acts 6:6 - "Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them."
Acts 21:5-6