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The
Acts of The Apostles
Acts was taught by Dr. James Modlish
Chapter
Six
(6:1-15)
Intro:
Even
first century Christianity had practical problems. Any
time there is a group of people gathered together there
will be difficulties in attempting to satisfy everyone
Each group always considers their needs to be the
greatest. Acts (6) give us a prototype of how to deal
with these kinds of problems.
Vs.
1-3
This
might be called the first Church Business Meeting. "There
arose a murmuring." Whenever you get a group of church
people, sooner or later there is some murmuring.
Some folks
decided that the Grecian widows weren't getting their
share of the group benefits. The apostles did not have
time to concern themselves with petty quarrels or the
basic ever day needs of the people, so they appointed
seven men to 'take care of these problems.
These men
had to meet certain qualifications (vs. 3). These men are
commonly know as deacons whose qualifications are
discussed further in (1 Tim. 3:1-13). Some eventually
moved into other parts of the ministry (Acts 21:8) (Rom.
12:7).
Vs. 4
The
example is set in verse 4 for the pastor. He should pray,
read, and preach the Word of God. Today the emphasis is
upon everything else for the average pastor. He is
expected to attend socials, teas, committee meetings,
community activities, visit the old and sick, the
disgruntled and backslidden - and if there is any time
remaining he can study. The devil is certainly
subtle!
Vs.
5-8
The
whole multitude chooses these men. The business is in
order and the Church continues to grow. Everyone is
pleased (vs. 5), they are praying (vs. 6), the Word is
increasing (vs. 7), the church membership roll is bulging
(vs. 7), the Jewish Rabbis are being saved (vs.
7).
"They laid
their hands on them" (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6). It is
apparent from (Acts 8:15; 13:3) that the laying on of
hands represents a transference of something (Lev. 1:4).
As sins were transferred by the laying of hands on the
sacrifice, so the Jewish nation "laid hands" (Acts 4:3)
on the apostles and slew Christ (Acts 2:23). The "laying
on of hands" (Heb. 6:2; 1 Tim. 5:22; Acts 8:19; 14:3;
9:17; 28:8) clearly has ruling power and authority with
it when administered by an apostle (2 Cor.
12:12).
Vs.
9
Libertines
is a reference to a "social rank and standing, while the
other names (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicia and Asia)
are clearly geographical locations and ethnic references.
This synagogue seems to be a gathering place for "freed
men". It is taken for granted that these former slaves
were all Jews, but-that is by no means clear in the
context, for Acts 2:10 includes proselytes from every
area around the Mediterranean.
Here is
Chapter (6) we have the first mention of Antioch and
Alexandria. These two cities figure very importantly in
the history of manuscript evidence. Antioch is mentioned
in regards to spirit-filled men, whereas Alexandra is
mentioned with reference to disputers. Nothing is put in
the Bible by accident. It is important to study what the
Bible has to say about the centers of Biblical
manuscripts. (Antioch, Alexandria and Rome.)
Vs.
10-15
Following
a revival (see 5:16 and 5:42) comes the opposition.
Everything that follows is so reminiscent of the arrest
and trial of the Lord Jesus that no one should be
surprised to see the Lord Jesus showing up at the moment
of execution (Acts 7:56).
[1].
As in Christ's case, his enemies could not answer His
arguments (Acts 6:10 with Matt. 22:46).
[2]. As in Christ's case, they hired false
witnesses to ruin Him (Acts 6:11 with Matt,
26:60).
[3]. As in Christ's case, they accused Him of
blasphemy (Acts 6:11 with Matt. 26:65).
[4]. As in Christ's case, they stirred up the
people against Him (Acts 6:12 with Matt. 27:20).
[5]. As in Christ's case, they accuse Him of
not reverencing the "LAW" (Acts 6:13 with Matt.
12:2).
[6]. As in Christ's case, they accused Him of
forecasting the destruction of the temple (Acts 6:14
with Matt. 26:61).
[7]. Caiaphas was a priest on both occasions
(Acts 7:1 with Matt. 26:65).
This same
pattern follows Paul's ministry in (Acts 21-26) and is a
standard operating procedure for religious persecution in
any age. Every murder of Waldensians, Albigenses,
Vaudios, Paulicans, Lollards, Hussites, Brethren
Bogomiles, etc., was accompanied by false accusations,
fear of the destruction of material institutions,
resentment of the truth, mob disorders, accusations of
blasphemy, and the inevitable "COUNCIL"
(vs. 12)!
Within the
next ten years, a church will have to have the approval
of the National COUNCIL of Churches to gain tax exempt
status in America. You're
welcome!
"....they
suborned men" (vs. 11) is the old English for a bribe. It
puts the man "under" (SUB) subjection to the donor
and obligates him to carry out orders (Tit.
3:11).
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