The first real issue arises for the church. Some widows are not getting cared for. It seems to be a racial problem. Instead of continuing to worry the Apostles with this busy work, they declare 7 men to carry the load and carry out the work of making sure the church is doing its work. I think this is amazing!

I also struggle with it because so often today the position of deacon/caretaker/etc is filled by men who see it as a lesser role than elder. Yet these men were considered to become deacons because they were just as “worthy” as the apostles. They are leaders who know the Word and are leading the church.

One of these guys, Stephen is arrested and this sets the tone for the following few chapters. Partially because a guy named Saul gets involved. Saul is a name for a king, Israel’s first king. Both were from the tribe of Benjamin. Both are huge characters in the Bible. One story is redemptive, the other not so much. More on him later!