| Commentary and Philosophy Non-Fiction posted July 14, 2024 | Chapters: |
...4 5 -6- 7... 
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Bible Commentary
A chapter in the book Reflection of Acts
Acts 6
by Erika Whittle
Okay, so one of my biggest pet peeves in life is bureaucracy. I hate politics and I find that it often goes hand in hand with hypocrisy. However, I am fully aware that within a large group of people, order is a must. Some sort of hierarchy must exist and tasks must be delegated. If there is no organization within a group, many things fall between the cracks. We see this in the early church. It's impossible for the disciples to be in multiple places at once and to deal with every little thing within the church. In this chapter we see the delegation of more humanitarian aid type work being passed on to another group of people. This is the essence of the body of Christ; every person has a part and every part has its place. Individual ego is replaced by the will of God. This is one of the reasons why the early church experienced such immense growth. This system is also like a reflection of the trinity, where God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are one being with three different parts (or roles).
In contrast, the second portion of the chapter gives us the worldly version of politics. In this case, human ego is more important than the will of God, despite the people involved all being religious. Stephen, whom God has blessed with power (miracles) and wisdom, is arrested and brought before the religious council. Thanks to a bunch of background interference from the peanut gallery, false witnessed testify against him. They accuse him of going against the teachings of Moses by spreading the gospel of Jesus.
This is actually amusing to me because in Matthew 17:1-13, Peter, James, and John the brother of James, witness Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. It says that Jesus transformed before them, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Fun thing to note is that this experience takes place on top of a mountain. When Moses was leading the Israelites, he talked with God on a mountain. I guess there's a reason mountains are so majestic in our eyes. I envy the experience, but at the same time I don't envy everything it took to get to that mountain top. I think sometimes people forget that.
Another thing that I find interesting is that, miracles aside, Stephen's wisdom reminds me a lot of Solomon. I guess the main difference, other than age, is that Solomon was in a place of political power. I wonder if he had been a regular citizen, if he would have had a similar experience to Stephen. It's intriguing to think about.
Anyway, back to Acts, the chapter ends with everybody present seeing Stephen's face like the face of an angel. I thought this was rather similar to the transfiguration of Jesus. I guess this is what God's glory looks like.
In contrast, the second portion of the chapter gives us the worldly version of politics. In this case, human ego is more important than the will of God, despite the people involved all being religious. Stephen, whom God has blessed with power (miracles) and wisdom, is arrested and brought before the religious council. Thanks to a bunch of background interference from the peanut gallery, false witnessed testify against him. They accuse him of going against the teachings of Moses by spreading the gospel of Jesus.
This is actually amusing to me because in Matthew 17:1-13, Peter, James, and John the brother of James, witness Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. It says that Jesus transformed before them, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Fun thing to note is that this experience takes place on top of a mountain. When Moses was leading the Israelites, he talked with God on a mountain. I guess there's a reason mountains are so majestic in our eyes. I envy the experience, but at the same time I don't envy everything it took to get to that mountain top. I think sometimes people forget that.
Another thing that I find interesting is that, miracles aside, Stephen's wisdom reminds me a lot of Solomon. I guess the main difference, other than age, is that Solomon was in a place of political power. I wonder if he had been a regular citizen, if he would have had a similar experience to Stephen. It's intriguing to think about.
Anyway, back to Acts, the chapter ends with everybody present seeing Stephen's face like the face of an angel. I thought this was rather similar to the transfiguration of Jesus. I guess this is what God's glory looks like.
The Choosing of the Seven
6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 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. 3 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 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
5 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. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 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.
Stephen Seized
8 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia, who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God."
12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us."
15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Footnotes
Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. 6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 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. 3 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 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
5 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. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 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.
Stephen Seized
8 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia, who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God."
12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us."
15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Footnotes
Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
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