UBF Daily Bread

THE APOSTLES' PRIORITIES

Passage: Acts 6:1~7

Key verse: 4

The Choosing of the Seven

6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,^(A) the Hellenistic Jews^[a]^(B) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows^(C) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.^(D) ²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples^(E) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God^(F) in order to wait on tables. ³Brothers and sisters,^(G) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit^(H) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them^(I) ⁴and will give our attention to prayer^(J) and the ministry of the word.”

⁵This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,^(K) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;^(L) also Philip,^(M) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed^(N) and laid their hands on them.^(O)

⁷So the word of God spread.^(P) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,^(Q) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

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Footnotes

Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture

1. Tension because of material things (1-4)

The Grecian Jews had been born and raised in other parts of the Empire. The natives of Jerusalem were Hebraic Jews. The common life, in which they shared material things and cared for the needy, gave rise to some problems. The Grecian Jews complained that their widows were being neglected. The Twelve made this problem an opportunity to turn responsibility for material oversight over to others, so that they could give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.

2. Seven stewards (5-7)

The men they chose were from among the Hellenistic Jews--those who had complained. But they were chosen because of their spiritual qualifications; the handling of material things must be a spiritual matter. The apostles prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. Even many priests--men who had studied the Bible--believed in Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, help us to make our problems an opportunity for spiritual growth, so that we may grow and your word may spread.

One Word: Keep spiritual priorities

Daily Bread

THE APOSTLES' PRIORITIES

Passage: Acts 6:1~7

Key verse: 4

The Choosing of the Seven

Footnotes

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