1 AND in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians [ The Greek members of the church. ] against the Hebrews, [ The Hebrew members of the church. ] because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. [ The law requires that widows and orphans be taken care of, and since the church had grown so much they were not being ministered to as suggested by the law. Which is to make sure that they have enough to eat and are otherwise taken care of. Exod. 22:22, Deut. 10:18, Deut. 14:29, Deut. 24:19. The purpose of the church is to administer the gospel. The organization if the church is there to assist the individual in building a relationsgip with God. Christ really did not organize the church, he taught the gospel and then through revelation to those who held the priesthood the priesthood was organized. The priesthood functions so that collectively all saints can gather together to be aided in their individual journey to Christ because we are not saved collectively but individually. The priesthood is there to help administer aid to those who are less fortunate. ]

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, [ They were called as apostles, they held the Melchizedek priesthood and had certain assignments. ] and serve tables. [ This would have been an assignment given to the Aaronic priesthood, to take care of the earthly needs of the members. So we have the first priesthood responsibility and assignments. So wee will see here that Stephen will be one of those seven who are called and given responsibility for the Aaronic duties of the priesthood. ]

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. [ So the church is expanding and it's getting bigger and they run into the basic problem, all expanding movements have, we need more help. So the apostles meet together and in Acts chapter six, starting verse three, they decide to choose seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom who may be appointed over this business. They need seven people specifically to look after the poor, and they name each of these seven people, but we really only get stories about two of them. ]

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5 ¶ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, [ Stephen, is a man full of faith in the Holy Ghost. He is appointed to look after the poor, but it's really his missionary work that takes center stage and his goodness, his example that starts us down the road to where Saul becomes a convert to the church. ] a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. [ Even the Jewish priests were joining but often they did not want it known as they would loose their employ in the temples. So some would have been of Levite descent which would have been their right to do. Can you imagine the hate that must have been brewing in the minds of those who had plotted to kill Jesus and end this challenge to their synagogues? You can quickly see what is going to happen next. ]

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9 ¶ Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. [ Stephen is outspoken and not afraid to speak his mind, he gets right in there and declares the word. ]

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. [ One could argue that even these men could feel the spirit - and chose to go the other way. It is one thing to not accept because you have not had a witness, it is an entirely different thing to have had a witness and choose not to follow it. What does this tell us about the nature of these men?]

11 Then they suborned [ Induce to commit perjury or give false testimony, incite to commit a crime or an evil deed; ] men, which said, We have heard him [ Stephen. ] speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

12  And they [ Basically the same people that targeted Jesus just a year or two earlier. ] stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, [ A scribes responsibility was to write down or copy word for word what was said. It was not their duty or responsibility to change, altar or modify in any way what was written. However; it was the scribes who were the ones who modified the text of the old testament books to remove or alter what the Messiah would do and be. They changed him to become a political figure such that the people would not recognize the Savior when he did come. They removed the ordinances and covenants to their ways, ways in which they could control the people through "the Law". for this reason Jesus holds some of his strongest rebukes for the scribes because these were the very ones who were manipulating the text to have it read the way that they wanted - they were perverting that ways of God. ] and came upon him, [ Stephen. ] and caught him, and brought him to the council,

13  And set up [ Created of their own. They paid people to come in an say this. ] false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, [ Stephen is quoting Jesus when he said that in three days he would destroy this temple and then raise it up again. Speaking of his body and resurrection. Jesus also prophesied that there will come a time when the temple itself will be destroyed and the people will need to get out of Jerusalem. ] and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. [ Stephen, straight out of the gate gets into trouble, he suggests that has come to fulfill the law and bring forth a higher law, but the accusation is that he's going to wreck the system of worship we have. Tradition is usually harder to overcome than scripture. If the law of Moses is fulfilled then there is no need for the high priest in the traditional sense. He's an acolyte of this Jesus of Nazareth who wants to change the law of Moses and the traditional way we worship, and we just cannot have that or we will loose everything (our position). The next chapter will discuss how Stephen responds. ]

15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.