Acts, Chapter 6 - Choosing of the Seven6 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.-          Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in numbero   The church was growing and more and more people became followers of Jesus-          A complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrewso   What is a Hellenistic Jew?§  Hellenistic Jews were those who adopted Greek language and culture§  They lived outside of Jerusalem and spoke Greek rather than Hebrewo   What is a native Hebrewo   These were Jews who lived in Jerusalem and spoke Hebrewo   They took pride in living and speaking like their forefatherso   They made the Hellenistic Jews feel like outsiders (less important)-          Because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of foodo   In other words, the native Jews didn’t always feed the widows that were Helenistic Jewso   This has the potential to become a real wedge among the Jews who believed in Jesus Christ (let’s read on and see how they handled it) 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.-          The twelve apostles summoned the congregationo   When all twelve summon the congregation it must be serious-          It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of Godo   In order to serve tableso   They were placing a higher value on the word of God than feeding widows 3 Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.-          Therefore (because the widows were being neglected because the apostles were too busy)-          Brethren (these are Christian brothers in the faith)-          Select from among you seven men of good reputationo   Seven is the number for completion and perfectiono   Of good reputation (what others said about them; not their own testimony)o   Full of the Spirit and of wisdom (it could be seen and their conduct would display God’s wisdom in all matters)-          Whom we may put in charge of this tasko   What task?o   Feeding the widowso   Notice that the widows deserved to be served by meno   It would an honor to become a bondservant to serve God by serving these womeno   Jesus said if you want to be the greatest in heaven, be the servant of all 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.Intro to Outbless Weekly Thanks for listening to Outbless.com

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