Acts 5:27-6:7

Acts 5:27-6:7

 

Verses 5:27-42

Acts 22:3 shows where Paul was educated by Gamaliel.

The account in chapter 5 introduces Gamaliel who was “held in honor by all the people”.

Key verses: “³⁸ So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, ^[1]

The council beat them and let them go

Chuck Swindoll quote:

 

Verses 6:1-7 “Seven Chosen to Serve”

6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. ² And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. ³ Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”^[2]

The apostles knew that their function was to lay the foundation of the church.

The qualifications:

Good reputation

Full of the Spirit

Wise

Comment by Dr. Ray Stedman

Philippians 1

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ^[3]

1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Deacons

⁸ Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. ⁹ They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. ¹¹ Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. ¹² Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. ¹³ For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. ^[4]

Ephesians 4:11

Romans 16:1 the only named person in scripture that is likely a deacon (servant)

This passage has been thought of (as the KJV heading suggests) that these were “the first deacons”. As it turns out, that is not really true. They were picked for a particular role – not the widespread list of tasks as in 1 Timothy 3

 

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 5:37–39). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 6:1–4). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Php 1:1–2). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

^[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Ti 3:8–13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.