Acts 6

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A Footstool was the foundation of Altars of God. Altars were not piles of dead stones but Lively Stones of a Living Altar. They were voluntary institutions of Charity built according to the design of God to maintain the social bonds of righteousness and strengthen a free society.
These Seven men were to serve tables but that did not mean to run a food kitchen. What it had to do with managing funds that might be needed to provide aid in distant lands especially during the dearths that were coming as Rome declined. Philip^[1] lived in Caesarea as we see in Acts 21.
Stephen^[2], Philip^[1],Prochorus^[3], Nicanor^[4], Timon^[5], Parmenas^[6], and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch^[7] were not just delivering bread to local Greek widows but were a critical part of a vast network of Charity we see being essential to the lives of early Christians throughout the world. The Modern Church who rides the beast of Revelation with the Harlot and her daughters eat at the tables of rulers which is the snare that has returned them to the bondage of Egypt, made them merchandise and curses their children with debt.
In the book "Temple Cleansing and Temple Bank" by Neill Q. Hamilton, explains the "function of the Jerusalem temple as a bank.^[8] A brief history of banking in temples in the ancient world will prepare us for an understanding of the Jerusalem temple bank." The word Corban, meaning sacrifice, is also translated treasury which suggests the sacrifices of the people were kept in a vault like the function of the Golden calf which was a common form of protecting the Reserve funds required in many banking and welfare systems and seen in so many of the Temples throughout history like those at Ephesus and Rome.
The Quarom as well as Jesus and the early Church called for a temple made without hands but constructed of living stones. The Essenes call that community a "temple of men" or the miqdash adam. Moses appears that the people keep their gold in their own purse and Proverbs tells us not to have a common purse while Jesus also seemed to agree.^[9]
While the seven men in Acts 6 formed a sort of bank to handle funds they were a nonprofit bank more like decentralized private Credit unions today. Everything about the Kingdom of God is decentralized because it is delivering a power of choice or liberty to individuals rather than to a central power.^[10]
The Daily bread which was rightly "divided from house to house" was provide in the early Christian community by a Corbanus of fervent Charity. This practice of "Pure Religion" by the early Church was a part of the "daily ministration" we see in Acts 6 and could include "food, clothing, and support" translated "meat" in Acts 2:46^[11]
As commanded by Christ it was not by way of the Corban of the Pharisees nor the "legal charity" of the world of Rome, FDR, nor LBJ which all make the word of God to none effect because they were covetous practices dependent upon "men who exercise authority one over the other" forbidden by Christ. Early Christians did not have an appetite for free bread of the "temples of the Roman State" and the habit of receiving those gifts, gratuities, and benefits at the expense of others, which as covetous practices will degenerate society.
Throughout God's word, from the Ten Commandments to Proverbs, from the Prophets to the Apostles we have been warned but the Modern Church and their "blind guides" have returned to the "bondage of Egypt", become human resources, and curse children with debt with their appetite for the "legal charity" of the welfare state.
Does your Daily bread come by faith, hope and charity, or by force?

Acts 6

The election and appointment of Seven Men

1 ¶ And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

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, and serve tables.^[12]

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.

4 But we will give ourselves continually^[13] to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen^[2], a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip^[1], and Prochorus^[3], and Nicanor^[4], and Timon^[5], and Parmenas^[6], and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch^[7]:

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.

The first of the Seven Men to be martyred

8 ¶ And Stephen^[2], 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.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

13 And set up 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, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

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

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Footnotes

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Philip of Acts 6:5 was born in Caesarea, Judea but died in Hierapolis, Turkey. He worked in Samaria after the martyrdom of Stephen but met and baptized an Ethiopian eunuch, on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza led there by the Spirit. Philip also lived in Caesarea Maritima with his four daughters who prophesied, where he was visited by Paul the Apostle in Acts 21:8-9. He was also in Tralles in Anatolia, where he became a bishop of that church there.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 Stephen was accused of blasphemy at his trial but denounced the Jews who sat in judgment of him and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, we call Paul, participated in Stephen's martyrdom. Acts 7, Acts, 8, and Acts speak of these events.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Prochorus by tradition seems to be a part of the 72 sent by Jesus to be His Sanhedrin and appears to have been companion of John the Apostle and ordained by Peter to be the bishop in the city of Nicomedia. Some believe he was the author or source of the apocryphal Acts of John. His name is also associated with the bishop of Antioch who was martyred in Antioch in the 1st century.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 Nicanor was born in Thessaloniki, Greece and also seems to be a part of the 72 sent by Jesus to be His Sanhedrin. He also was a missionary in Cyprus.
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 Timon is a Greek name and he may have been at Jerusalem but little is known about him but he was also a part of the 70 appointed as the Sanhedrin of Christ. Was also the bishop of the city of Bostra in Arabia and suffered persecution by the Jews and pagans for preaching the Gospel of welfare by charity alone. It was said he was thrown into a furnace but was unharmed by the flames but was later crucified.
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 Parmenas is believed to have preached in Asia Minor. Parmenas suffered martyrdom Philippi, Macedonia in 98, under the persecution of Trajan. He is believed to be the Bishop of Soli in Cyprus or Cilicia.
↑ ^7.0 ^7.1 Nicolas of Antioch was one of the seven deacons, who were chosen by the people but appointed to be entrusted by peter with attending tables so that the daily ministration was not neglected for those who lived at great distances from the rest of the body like the Greeks from Jerusalem. Nicolas as a proselyte from Antioch was a converted Jew. Many think he began to think he accepted funds from men who called themselves benefactors but exercised authority one over the other and were called Nicolaitans by the early Church but Clement says that was another Nicolas. If it was the same Nicolas Peter could have removed the appointment and called for another election by the people because such covetous practices were forbidden by Christ. If he had been merely elected by the people there could have been a delay in replacing him.
↑ Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:48-49, Matthew 21:12,13
↑ Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
↑ Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal::21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
↑ "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart," Acts 2:46 The word in the text translated "meat" is the Greek word "trophé " 5160 Commonly translated food, nourishment, and support. And accepted literally and figuratively by implication, rations (wages), food, meals, and meat.
↑ Two tables
Psalms 69:22 Let their table become a snare before them: and [that which should have been] for [their] welfare, [let it become] a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. 24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. 25 Let their habitation be desolate; [and] let none dwell in their tents."

Romans 11:8 "(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway."

1 Corinthians 10:20 "But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils." (See the sacrifice of fools in Ecclesiastes 5:1)

Acts 6:2 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, and serve tables. (see "portion to seven" Ecclesiastes 11:2 and Acts 6.)

Luke 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Isaiah 28:8 For all tables are full of vomit [and] filthiness, [so that there is] no place [clean]. 9 ¶ Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little:

Malachi 1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] contemptible.

Malachi 1:12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] polluted; and the fruit thereof, [even] his meat, [is] contemptible.

Malachi 2:2 "If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings<01293>: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart." See wages of unrighteousness and snare.

Isaiah 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

1 Peter 2:8 "And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:" (see merchandise)
↑ Persevere continually
Mark 3:9 "And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on <4342> him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him."

Acts 1:14 "These all continued <4342> with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."

Acts 2:42 "And they continued stedfastly <4342> in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Acts 2:46 "And they, continuing <4342> daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,"

Acts 6:4 "But we will give ourselves continually <4342> to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

Acts 8:13 "Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued <4342> with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done."

Acts 10:7 "And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on <4342> him continually <4342>;"

Romans 12:12 "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant <4342> in prayer;"

Romans 13:6 "For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually <4342> upon this very thing."

Colossians 4:2 "Continue <4342> in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"

Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance<4343> and supplication for all saints;"

[Philip-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Philip of Acts 6:5 was born in Caesarea, Judea but died in Hierapolis, Turkey. He worked in Samaria after the martyrdom of Stephen but met and baptized an Ethiopian eunuch, on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza led there by the Spirit. Philip also lived in Caesarea Maritima with his four daughters who prophesied, where he was visited by Paul the Apostle in Acts 21:8-9. He was also in Tralles in Anatolia, where he became a bishop of that church there.

[Stephen-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 Stephen was accused of blasphemy at his trial but denounced the Jews who sat in judgment of him and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, we call Paul, participated in Stephen's martyrdom. Acts 7, Acts, 8, and Acts speak of these events.

[Prochorus-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Prochorus by tradition seems to be a part of the 72 sent by Jesus to be His Sanhedrin and appears to have been companion of John the Apostle and ordained by Peter to be the bishop in the city of Nicomedia. Some believe he was the author or source of the apocryphal Acts of John. His name is also associated with the bishop of Antioch who was martyred in Antioch in the 1st century.

[Nicanor-4] 4.0 ^4.1 Nicanor was born in Thessaloniki, Greece and also seems to be a part of the 72 sent by Jesus to be His Sanhedrin. He also was a missionary in Cyprus.

[Timon-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Timon is a Greek name and he may have been at Jerusalem but little is known about him but he was also a part of the 70 appointed as the Sanhedrin of Christ. Was also the bishop of the city of Bostra in Arabia and suffered persecution by the Jews and pagans for preaching the Gospel of welfare by charity alone. It was said he was thrown into a furnace but was unharmed by the flames but was later crucified.

[Parmenas-6] 6.0 ^6.1 Parmenas is believed to have preached in Asia Minor. Parmenas suffered martyrdom Philippi, Macedonia in 98, under the persecution of Trajan. He is believed to be the Bishop of Soli in Cyprus or Cilicia.

[Nicolas-7] 7.0 ^7.1 Nicolas of Antioch was one of the seven deacons, who were chosen by the people but appointed to be entrusted by peter with attending tables so that the daily ministration was not neglected for those who lived at great distances from the rest of the body like the Greeks from Jerusalem. Nicolas as a proselyte from Antioch was a converted Jew. Many think he began to think he accepted funds from men who called themselves benefactors but exercised authority one over the other and were called Nicolaitans by the early Church but Clement says that was another Nicolas. If it was the same Nicolas Peter could have removed the appointment and called for another election by the people because such covetous practices were forbidden by Christ. If he had been merely elected by the people there could have been a delay in replacing him.

[8] Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:48-49, Matthew 21:12,13

[9] Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

[10] Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal::21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

[acts2-11] "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart," Acts 2:46 The word in the text translated "meat" is the Greek word "trophé " 5160 Commonly translated food, nourishment, and support. And accepted literally and figuratively by implication, rations (wages), food, meals, and meat.

[2tables-12] Two tables
Psalms 69:22 Let their table become a snare before them: and [that which should have been] for [their] welfare, [let it become] a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. 24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. 25 Let their habitation be desolate; [and] let none dwell in their tents."

Romans 11:8 "(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway."

1 Corinthians 10:20 "But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils." (See the sacrifice of fools in Ecclesiastes 5:1)

Acts 6:2 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, and serve tables. (see "portion to seven" Ecclesiastes 11:2 and Acts 6.)

Luke 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Isaiah 28:8 For all tables are full of vomit [and] filthiness, [so that there is] no place [clean]. 9 ¶ Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little:

Malachi 1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] contemptible.

Malachi 1:12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] polluted; and the fruit thereof, [even] his meat, [is] contemptible.

Malachi 2:2 "If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings<01293>: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart." See wages of unrighteousness and snare.

Isaiah 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

1 Peter 2:8 "And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:" (see merchandise)

[Persevereq-13] Persevere continually
Mark 3:9 "And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on <4342> him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him."

Acts 1:14 "These all continued <4342> with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."

Acts 2:42 "And they continued stedfastly <4342> in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Acts 2:46 "And they, continuing <4342> daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,"

Acts 6:4 "But we will give ourselves continually <4342> to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

Acts 8:13 "Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued <4342> with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done."

Acts 10:7 "And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on <4342> him continually <4342>;"

Romans 12:12 "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant <4342> in prayer;"

Romans 13:6 "For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually <4342> upon this very thing."

Colossians 4:2 "Continue <4342> in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"

Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance<4343> and supplication for all saints;"

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Acts 6

Contents

Acts 6

The election and appointment of Seven Men

The first of the Seven Men to be martyred

Footnotes

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Acts 6

Acts 6

The election and appointment of Seven Men

The first of the Seven Men to be martyred

Footnotes

Navigation menu

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