Stephen Stands His Grounds

[Acts 6:5b-7] They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Key People: Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas.

Stephen means crown. He is the first Christian martyr.[1]

Philip means fond of horses. He was a member of the church of Jerusalem. He took the gospel to Samaria. He lived in Caesarea.[2]

Procorus means leader of the chorus (or dance).[3]

Nicanor means conqueror.[4]

Timon means honorable.[5]

Parmenas means faithful or constant.[6]

Nicholas means conqueror of people. He was a proselyte which means he was a Gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch.[7]

There is minimal information regarding six of the seven selected men. As we read more, Stephen becomes an example of the Holy Spirit giving his followers the defense.

[Act 6:8-15 NIV] 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia--who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. 11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

As chapter six closes and chapter seven opens, it is clearer that Stephen was full of God’s grace.

Bibliography

Fisher, Fred L. “Stephen.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1506. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Nicanor.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1159. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Nicholas.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1160. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Parmenas.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1219. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Powell, Paul. “Philip.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1260-1261. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Procorus.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1301. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Timon.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1573. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Toussaint, Stanley D. “Acts.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 349-432. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

[1] Fred L. Fisher, “Stephen,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1506.

[2] Paul Powell, “Philip,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1260-1261.

[3] “Procorus,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1301.

[4] “Nicanor,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1159.

[5] “Timon,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1573.

[6] “Parmenas,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1219.

[7] “Nicholas,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1160.