The physician Luke wrote, “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 you 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 in chapter six and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the saying pleased the whole multitude” where we read:
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:
The verse begins, “And the saying pleased the whole multitude:” Luke began with the words, “and the saying” which means “and the utterance, declaration and proclamation of the twelve disciples” “pleased the whole multitude” or “was agreeable, exciting and emotional for the entire crowd of disciples”. Luke shared how what the “twelve disciples” said was “agreed upon” by the crowd of other disciples.
The verse continues, “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:” Luke added the words, “and they chose Stephen” which means “and the other disciples selected Stephen whose name means crowned”, “a man full of faith” or “a male human being filled up and thoroughly permeated with belief, trust and confidence” “and of the Holy Ghost” which means “and with the pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son”, “and Philip” whose name means “lover of horses”, “and Prochorus” which means “leader of the chorus”, “and Nicanor” or “conquerer”, “and Timon” which means “honorable”, “and Parmenas” whose name means “abiding”, “and Nicolas” whose name means “victor of the people” “a proselyte of Antioch” or “who was a newcomer, stranger and alien belonging to Antioch which means he was a native of Antioch”. Luke shared how these “seven men” were selected to be in charge of the “daily ministration” to the people in the church. Their names were “Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolas”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn who the men were that were chosen to be the first “seven deacons” of the church. The other believers were careful to choose men who had the character described by the “twelve disciples”, and these men fulfilled those traits. God was continuing to work in and through His church, and anyone who submitted to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” would be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Afterward they become a part of the “family and church” of Jesus where they minister to the Lord and other people.
Next time Luke shares how the seven men chosen were, “ set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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