content. Look ye out, they say to the disciples assembled together, choose for yourselves, seven men, (that number may suffice for the present,) seven men of honest report, (of known and approved character,) full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, (men seen to be living under the influence of the Spirit of God,) whom we may appoint over this business. 5. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, 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: 5 6. Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. Laid their hands upon them. them. So Moses (Num. xxvii. 22) by divine command took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: and he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded. It was the solemn mode of invoking the grace of God, and commending the individual to his blessing. When young children were brought to Jesus "he laid his hands upon them, and blessed them.” 6 5 The Grecians were the complaining party. And it is remarkable that the names of those chosen to set the matter right are Grecian names. So careful were they to avoid the appearance of favour and partiality. 6 Matthew xix. 15. And one of the signs which were to accompany the apostles was, that "they should lay their hands upon the sick, and they should recover."7 Thus solemnly devoted to their office, the deacons entered upon their charge. It was not temporary. We find from the epistle to Timothy, that deacons were stated ministers of the church. Neither was it merely secular; Stephen, as we shall soon see, continued to preach the gospel: Philip, as we shall soon see, did not hesitate to baptize. They were still engaged, therefore, in whatever might promote the progress of the gospel. But especially, at present, they were to attend to the temporal affairs of the church, and were not devoted so entirely as the apostles to prayer and the ministry of the word. Only a few months had elapsed since the death of Jesus. And already was a community united together, acknowledging him as their Lord and their God; and so numerous, as to require seven persons to administer their property. Surely the words of Gamaliel were verified: and counsel and this work" was not of men, but of God. 7 Mark xvi. 18. "this LECTURE XVI. STEPHEN ACCUSED OF SPEAKING ACTS vi. 7-15. 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. "Thus mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed," fulfilling the promises which Jesus had uttered, answering the expectations which he had raised. Even a large number of the priests perceived the truth; did not adhere to the types and shadows of the law, but became obedient to the faith which explained and realised them. There was much to hinder this, unless the Spirit of God had enlightened them. To hinder it, there was that prejudice which it is so hard to overcome: that attachment to the habits which they had followed, the sentiments in which they had been brought up: that course of thought which St. Paul remembered in himself, when he said, looking back upon former times" I verily thought within myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."1 On the other hand they might reason, that now they perceived the purport of the ordinances of the law: that all was now cleared up, which in the sacrifices which they had offered day by day and “ year by year continually," they had found it hard to understand. Thus "the Spirit of God might witness with their own spirit;" might work with their minds within, and open them to receive "the light which was come into the world." his people." "4 It did so. There was "God had not cast away "a remnant according to the election of grace." A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith but the rest were blinded;" as in the days of old, when they were but few-not few in themselves, nor few in the sight of God-but few in comparison of the whole nation-who had not bowed the knee to Baal. 5 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. 6 1 Acts xxvi. 9. 3 Rom. xi. 1-5. 2 Heb x. 1, &c. 4 Ib. 7. 5 1 Kings xix. 18. 6 The different foreign Jews residing at Jerusalem had separate synagogues, and schools attached to them. Such were the Grecians, Alexandrians, &c. The Libertines were the descendants of 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 o 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. When Ahab's queen, Jezebel, suborned witnesses for the destruction of Naboth, they used direct falsehoods, affirming, Naboth " did blaspheme God and the king." The false witnesses who appeared against our Lord took another course: they misrepresented words actually spoken. "Two false witnesses came and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days." The same kind of falsehood is used against Stephen. The meaning of his words is those who had once been slaves, and had obtained freedom. As far as is known, it is a Latin term. Libertus, a bondman made free Libertinus, the son of a Libertus. 71 Kings xxi. 18. |