Acts 6:1-7:8
Dear RTB’ers,
Mayday!! And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7) Here we have our fifth transition verse / section (see also Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-37, 5:42, 6:1a), but this verse gives us some really new information, that many of the Jewish priests are converting. This is huge! It’s not just the common people, even priests are hearing and believing! The priests are very learned in their Jewish heritage and faith while the apostles (Peter and John), in the eyes of the Council, were “uneducated and untrained men” (Acts 4:13). These priests, strong in their Jewish traditions are regularly ministering in the Temple, especially in offering the daily animal sacrifices. Their conversion is necessarily their recognition that Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross eliminated the need for these sacrificial rituals. These are major conversions!
Stephen is now brought before the Council. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. (Acts 6:10) These “men from the Synagogue” (Acts 6:9), possibly even including a rabbi or two?, were overwhelmed by Stephen’s claims. They were troubled enough that anger took root and they began to plot against him. Stephen is following the pattern set by Jesus, with false witnesses set against him also, even the charge of destroying the temple – the same charge brought against Jesus. And as we shall see in the next few days, Stephen will suffer the same outcome as Jesus. But not before he lays his counter-charges fully before his challengers! Stay tuned!
Blessings!