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Acts 6

The growing church addresses neglected widows, while Stephen’s Spirit-given ministry meets opposition that turns from debate to false accusation.

As the disciples multiply, Hellenist widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution, and a complaint reaches the apostles. The twelve ask the gathered disciples to choose seven trusted, Spirit-filled men to oversee this work while the apostles continue in prayer and teaching. The word spreads, and many priests believe. Stephen, one of the seven, performs signs and speaks with wisdom his opponents cannot withstand. They bring false witnesses against him before the council.

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1Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
2The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
3Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
5These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,
6whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
9But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
10They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,
13and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.
14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
15All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Acts 6:7This verse marks the continued spread of God’s word after the church addresses its neglected widows.
Acts 6:8Stephen’s signs among the people show that his service extends beyond the task for which the seven were chosen.
Acts 6:10His opponents’ failure to withstand Spirit-given wisdom explains their turn toward fabricated testimony and public accusation.
Where this chapter reaches

Matthew shares the pattern of false witnesses bringing accusations about the temple against someone facing a religious council. Luke records Jesus’ promise of wisdom that opponents cannot withstand, a close verbal link with the description of Stephen’s speech.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

What stands out to you about the church’s response when neglected widows become the subject of a complaint?

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How does Stephen’s treatment shape your expectations of what Spirit-filled service may involve?

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Questions people ask about Acts 6

Who were the Hellenists and Hebrews in Acts 6?

These names are understood to distinguish Greek-speaking Jewish believers from those whose main language was Aramaic or Hebrew. The dispute concerns the neglect of Hellenist widows in the daily service. The text identifies a real failure of care without explaining whether language, prejudice, or poor organization caused it.

Were the seven men in Acts 6 the first deacons?

The seven are often called the first deacons because they were appointed to oversee the daily service for widows. Acts 6 does not give them that title. It describes their qualifications, selection by the disciples, and appointment through prayer and the laying on of the apostles’ hands.

Why did Stephen’s face look like an angel’s face?

The council sees Stephen’s face as resembling an angel’s face while false accusations are being made against him. The description suggests a visible sign of God’s presence with him, consistent with his being full of the Spirit. The text does not explain the appearance or say that his face shone.

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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).