Acts of the Apostles

ACTS 6 - seven (stephen, philip, prochorus, nicanor, timon, parmenas, nicolaus) chosen for diaconai: to enable the apostles to preach the word of god freely, seven deacons are ordained to serve the poor, a ministry that empowers the growth of the Church (6:7)

VOCAB

  1. deacon: to serve

    • and to minister to the widows and orphans(primary concern) cuz theyre being neglected

  2. Hellenists: Jews that speak greek

  3. caput: head

Stephen

  • accused of blasphemy

  • is stoned; becomes the first martyr

  • significance: shows us that the christian life is a recapitulation (making something into the meaning of) of christs life

    • we are meant to be partakers in Christ’s death

Verses 51-53

  • “uncircumcised in heart and ears” - meaning that they are not open to hearing the word of God

Saul

  • roman citizen

  • persecutes the church

Simon (magician)

  • practices magic(dark magic)

  • tries to buy God’s power(the receiving of the Holy Spirit) from the Apostles

    • which is sacriligious and simony

  • Peter insults him

“gall of bitterness” - deeply unsatisfied and miserable

Eunuch - a man who does not have his reproductive organs, in order to become “wiser” (lust is associated with lack of wisdom)

  • Philip baptizes the ethiopian eunuch and bilocates to Azotus

    • this means Philip is ready for his mission