041614 Session 12
“For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:15, NASB95) SESSION 12 | STEPHEN’S ARREST | ACTS 6:8-15 Continued and updated from last week’s session: TRIALS FROM WITHIN | ACTS 6:1-7
The community was 100% dependent upon one another. Only later would the church be given instruction to provide materially for themselves and their families (1 Timothy 5:8). (v. 1) Translations which use “Greeks” in 6:1 are poor translations. Literally these widows were “Hellenists.” They were Jews from a Greek culture. The congregation approved an apostolic plan, and selected seven Hellenistic men for the task (vv. 3-6). o Men of good reputation for “this task.” Because all the men selected had Hellenistic names, it is likely that they were Hellenists. This shows that the early assembly was not divided, but was very trusting of their own. o The apostles would put their work into “the ministry of the word.” The only word written was the Hebrew Scriptures. There had not yet been a “church age” ministry. o The plan was congregationally approved. Whether this was a congregational polity or just a congregational mutual consent, it displays the early organizational style of the body. The result: the continued spread of the Kingdom message (v. 7). o The track record: Acts 2:41 – 3,000 Acts 2:47 – added daily Acts 4:4 – 5,000 Acts 5:14 – multitudes Acts 6:1, 7 – multiplying in number (KJV uses correct translation) Acts 9:31 – continued multiplying even in dispersion o But the nation remained unrepentant and continued in unbelief.
THE PIVOT POINT | THE TRANSITION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS New material: STEPHEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED | ACTS 6:8-15
Stephen, one of the seven, was “performing great wonders and signs” (v. 8) o The laying on of hands was likely essential to the ability to do apostolic signs and wonders. The Spirit of God was conferred through the Laying on of Hands (Acts 8:17) The only people upon whom hands were laid in this fashion were these men and Paul and Barnabus (Acts 13:2) In the book of Acts, only the Apostles, the men of Acts 6, Paul, and Barnabus performed miracles. The uncomfortable dialogue (v. 9) o Participants: Hellenist synagogues, likely the “college students” associated with these synagogues. o The Synagogue of the Libertines (KJV) does not imply antinomianism (lawlessness), but is a synagogue of freed slaves. o Since Saul was from Tarsus, in Cilicia, it is possible that he was one of these who debated with Saul. If you can’t beat them, accuse them! (vv 10-14) o The accusation: “blasphemous words against Moses and God” (v. 11) “against this holy place and the Law” (v. 13) “Jesus will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down” (v14) o The acceptance: Many in the modern church believe that this is evidence that the Law had been abolished and that the Jews were simply upset with the fact that the Temple had been set aside and the new believers were dead to the Law. John Calvin, “But these accusations were brought by false witnesses who
1
told lies because they deliberately distorted what had been so graciously said. In the same way Christ had to indicate that he had not come to destroy the law, because when he had spoken publicly about the abrogating of ceremonies the ungodly interpreted it in a different way, as if Christ wished to abolish the whole law.” 1 W.O. Carver, “they had heard Stephen say ‘that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.’ That, in a deep, true sense, Stephen believed that Jesus would bring about transforming changes in the law and the temple
Packer, J. I. “Introduction.” Acts: Crossway Classics. Ed. Alister McGrath. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1995. Ac 6:14. Print. Crossway Classic Commentaries.
THE PIVOT POINT | THE TRANSITION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS worship his speech shows clearly.” 2 [the problem with this statement is that they said that they had heard Stephen say these words, while in actuality they had not heard but were giving false testimony The challenge with accepting that Stephen was teaching against the Law of Moses, the Temple, etc., is twofold It makes Luke a liar. Luke tells us that these men were “secretly induced” and were “false witnesses.” The false witness they were induced to speak was that Stephen spoke against the Law and the Temple. It makes Paul a liar, when Paul says that freedom from the Law did not come until the mystery was revealed through him. o The appearance: Stephen’s face appeared, “like the face of an angel.” Since Stephen’s sermon would be the last testimony to Israel, God wanted to give every opportunity for the message to be accepted.
COMING MAY 16 – 6pm TO MIDNIGHT!
2
Carver, William Owen. The Acts of the Apostles. Nashville, TN: Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1916. Print. The Convention Series.
The community was 100% dependent upon one another. Only later would the church be given instruction to provide materially for themselves and their families (1 Timothy 5:8). (v. 1) Translations which use “Greeks” in 6:1 are poor translations. Literally these widows were “Hellenists.” They were Jews from a Greek culture. The congregation approved an apostolic plan, and selected seven Hellenistic men for the task (vv. 3-6). o Men of good reputation for “this task.” Because all the men selected had Hellenistic names, it is likely that they were Hellenists. This shows that the early assembly was not divided, but was very trusting of their own. o The apostles would put their work into “the ministry of the word.” The only word written was the Hebrew Scriptures. There had not yet been a “church age” ministry. o The plan was congregationally approved. Whether this was a congregational polity or just a congregational mutual consent, it displays the early organizational style of the body. The result: the continued spread of the Kingdom message (v. 7). o The track record: Acts 2:41 – 3,000 Acts 2:47 – added daily Acts 4:4 – 5,000 Acts 5:14 – multitudes Acts 6:1, 7 – multiplying in number (KJV uses correct translation) Acts 9:31 – continued multiplying even in dispersion o But the nation remained unrepentant and continued in unbelief.
THE PIVOT POINT | THE TRANSITION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS New material: STEPHEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED | ACTS 6:8-15
Stephen, one of the seven, was “performing great wonders and signs” (v. 8) o The laying on of hands was likely essential to the ability to do apostolic signs and wonders. The Spirit of God was conferred through the Laying on of Hands (Acts 8:17) The only people upon whom hands were laid in this fashion were these men and Paul and Barnabus (Acts 13:2) In the book of Acts, only the Apostles, the men of Acts 6, Paul, and Barnabus performed miracles. The uncomfortable dialogue (v. 9) o Participants: Hellenist synagogues, likely the “college students” associated with these synagogues. o The Synagogue of the Libertines (KJV) does not imply antinomianism (lawlessness), but is a synagogue of freed slaves. o Since Saul was from Tarsus, in Cilicia, it is possible that he was one of these who debated with Saul. If you can’t beat them, accuse them! (vv 10-14) o The accusation: “blasphemous words against Moses and God” (v. 11) “against this holy place and the Law” (v. 13) “Jesus will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down” (v14) o The acceptance: Many in the modern church believe that this is evidence that the Law had been abolished and that the Jews were simply upset with the fact that the Temple had been set aside and the new believers were dead to the Law. John Calvin, “But these accusations were brought by false witnesses who
1
told lies because they deliberately distorted what had been so graciously said. In the same way Christ had to indicate that he had not come to destroy the law, because when he had spoken publicly about the abrogating of ceremonies the ungodly interpreted it in a different way, as if Christ wished to abolish the whole law.” 1 W.O. Carver, “they had heard Stephen say ‘that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.’ That, in a deep, true sense, Stephen believed that Jesus would bring about transforming changes in the law and the temple
Packer, J. I. “Introduction.” Acts: Crossway Classics. Ed. Alister McGrath. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1995. Ac 6:14. Print. Crossway Classic Commentaries.
THE PIVOT POINT | THE TRANSITION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS worship his speech shows clearly.” 2 [the problem with this statement is that they said that they had heard Stephen say these words, while in actuality they had not heard but were giving false testimony The challenge with accepting that Stephen was teaching against the Law of Moses, the Temple, etc., is twofold It makes Luke a liar. Luke tells us that these men were “secretly induced” and were “false witnesses.” The false witness they were induced to speak was that Stephen spoke against the Law and the Temple. It makes Paul a liar, when Paul says that freedom from the Law did not come until the mystery was revealed through him. o The appearance: Stephen’s face appeared, “like the face of an angel.” Since Stephen’s sermon would be the last testimony to Israel, God wanted to give every opportunity for the message to be accepted.
COMING MAY 16 – 6pm TO MIDNIGHT!
2
Carver, William Owen. The Acts of the Apostles. Nashville, TN: Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1916. Print. The Convention Series.
