5, 6. Would we have answered the description of these men? verse 3. Is there any reason why we should not? Would it be possible? Ought we be content with less? Compare the qualifications of Moses' helpers; Exod. 18:21. What was the form or ceremony of this "appointing" by the apostles? Cp. Acts 13:3.

      7. What is meant by "the word of God increased?" Cp. Col. 1:5, 6. What new mark of its power is here mentioned? What is it to be "obedient to the faith"? Acts 2:38-41. [93]

      Our Golden Text teaches that while none of us should shirk our own duties or try to impose the burdens we ourselves ought to carry upon others (Gal. 6:5) we should bear one another's burdens. This includes co-operation in every good work.

      Between this lesson and the one of last Lord's Day, comes the account of the Second Persecution, which was more serious than the first. The motive of it is laid bare: "they [the persecutors] were filled with jealousy." Of course they would have indignantly repudiated the charge; perhaps they did not realize it themselves; but it was the truth. The apostles, all of them this time, were put in prison; and were miraculously liberated. The next morning, re-arrested, they were brought before the Sanhedrin, where another bold speech was made by the apostles; (Acts 5:29-32) and only the calm counsel of Gamaliel restrained the murderous hatred of those religious leaders. For the "theological hatred" is famed to be the bitterest and most merciless in all the world. Even so they "beat" the apostles before they let them go, by way of impressing upon them the now repeated charge not to speak in the name of Jesus. But the apostles (just as the Lord had taught them, Matt. 5:10-12) rejoiced over this badge of honor; and they "ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ."

      The account of the appointing of the seven helpers leads up to the man Stephen, who becomes the central figure in the next crisis. Incidently however, we get a glimpse of the work of the church at Jerusalem. There was a daily ministry to the needs of widows; and, whether by carelessness, or even by partiality, the widows of the Grecian Jews had been neglected, which, naturally caused a murmuring of protest and resentment among the Grecian contingent in the church. One way to avoid trouble is never to try to do anything. There is a peace of the graveyard. But every work undertaken brings difficulties, problems, frictions, which only the love of God and "the wisdom which is from above" can overcome. How this difficulty was overcome we have already seen.

      It has been pointed out that the names of these seven helpers are Grecian names--another indication of the fine tact, the love, and the confidence that controlled in the church. This move both obviated all further fear of partiality, and it was a mark of loving confidence in the Grecian brethren, that they should be entrusted with this entire ministry.

      Stephen was a remarkably full man: "full of faith, and of the Holy Spirit," "full of wisdom," "full of grace and power." His work of ministering to the widows brought out his other gifts, and gave him opportunities. He wrought signs and wonders among the people, and doubtless his influence grew by leaps. The champions of the different synagogues engaged them--among them those of the synagogue of Cilicia, of which doubtless Saul of Tarsus was a member--engaged him in controversy; and the Lord remembered a good promise of his. (Verse 10; Luke 21:15). Seeing they were no match for him, they tried false witness and slanders. v. 11-14. They cautiously refrained from any flat and grossly evident slander: what they charged against Stephen could, in a manner, be substantiated from Stephen's teaching. They simply colored and distorted the truth so as to make it misrepresent Stephen--which is the most effective sort of slander. It was practiced on the Lord Jesus Christ also. (Matt. 26:59-62). Doubtless Stephen had left the impression that the temple should be destroyed and that a new and different service of God was superseding the old. Nevertheless the way they told it constituted false witnesses. Let us take heed.

      The next chapter (Acts 7) contains Stephen's speech. It has been called "Stephen's Apology." Not much apology was it. It was God's final impeachment of the nation by the mouth of His faithful servant. [94]

["The Lord's Day Lesson 9: The Seven Helpers." Word and Work 9 (February 1916): 93-94.]

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's "The Lord's Day Lesson 9: The Seven Helpers" has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1916.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 93:     Exod. 18:12. [ Exod. 18:21.
 p. 94:     (Acts 5:29-34) [ (Acts 5:39-34)
            Soul of Tarsus [ Saul of Tarsus
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 9 February 2002.
Updated 22 June 2003.