In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.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.Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
4 sermons cite this verse
… Acts 4, verse 4, which we read about just a second ago, Luke's intentional to show us now it's 5,000. Acts 6, verse 1, number of disciples is increasing. Acts 6, verse 7, the number of disciples continues to increase. Acts chapter 9, verse 31 says, the number in the church continued to grow. Now I want you to turn to Acts chapter 11. We read Acts chapter 9, verse 31. Look at Acts chapter 11. Look at verse 21. And maybe every time you see the word number in the scripture here, let me encourage you to circle it. I just want you to see how Luke was very detailed and very intentional about showing us the quantitative growth of the church. Circle every time you see a mentioned number. Look in Acts chapter 11, verse 21. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great what? A great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Look down in verse 24, talking about Barnabas. It says Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. …
… They were meeting in their homes daily. Acts 6, verse 1, they were caring for each other's needs daily. You continue to go on. In Acts 16 and 17, you see, they were studying the Word of God together daily. They were growing in numbers daily. All these things happening on a continual basis. Don't miss it. They had not limited church to a couple of hours on Sunday morning. don't we want more in church than a couple of hours on Sunday morning? I mean, this is fun, and I hope it's helpful. But we're a community of faith. Not in a southern culture Bible belt where we do this routine week by week. Our community is intended to be a day-to-day reality with each other, walking with each other, discipling each other, showing each other how to follow Christ, pouring our lives into each other. And what happens when you do that? By this will all men know that you're my disciples. When you love one another, when you sacrifice for one another, and when that's a reality in the community of faith, then the world sits up and says, there's something different there. …
Listen for God's instructions to deacons. in those days when the number of disciples was increasing the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food so the twelve gathered all the disciples together and said it would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid their hands on them. 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. …
And that is the formula for a growing church. 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. That is the serving of commodities and food to the Grecian widows. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them. Now the twelve is talking here about the twelve apostles. 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. 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. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Teman, and Parmenas, and Nicholas, a proselyte of Antioch, whom they set before the apostles. …