![]() Now, both Greek Christians and Hebrew Christians were fully capable of preaching the Word of Christ and of helping those in need. The Greek Christians wanted their widows looked after and both the Greek Christians and the Hebrew Christians were willing to do this when the problem was pointed out. What is going on here? The author of the Book of Acts, St Luke, is giving us a reliable account of what happened. This epistle is well known for the commissioning of seven deacons, especially St Stephen, who then became, quote: “full of grace and power performed great marvels and signs among the people,” However, as the Orthodox theologian, Jaroslav Pelikan has written, those chosen “to serve at tables” were both Greek Christians and Jewish Christians and the Greek names show that a majority of Greeks were chosen “to serve at tables.” Furthermore, in the next chapter of the Book of Acts, as Jaroslav Pelikan points out, St Stephen “proceeds to deliver one of the most and … powerful and scripturally learned exercises of ‘the ministry of the word’ in the whole of Acts, and well beyond.”. ![]() Therefore, the Greek members of the Church urge that “seven men … full of Spirit and wisdom” should be assigned to “this task.” The Acts of the Apostles record that the Greek members of the Church wish to “keep to prayer and the ministry of the word,” since “it is not acceptable for us to neglect the word of God to serve at tables,” concludes their approach. The Greek members of the Church believe that their widows are being neglected in the distribution of free food. In the Epistle today from the opening verses of chapter 6 in the Acts of the Apostles, there is conflict within the early Church between the Hebrew Christians and the Hellenists.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |