Friendly Bible Study - Acts 6

[face2face]

I'll be watching the Acts 6 "Friendly" Bible Study and participate via this thread. I encourage those who wish to share, to do so anytime - all welcome. If I see any value add to the posts in the closed study, I'll ensure to include you in the response.

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[face2face]

But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task. Acts 6:3.

Why seven men?
Was there are reason for the number seven, odd number?

Thoughts? I have some, but not certain.

F2F

 

[face2face]

But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task. Acts 6:3.

I'm also interested in the intent of that word "carefully" as though they had to look at their fruits, men who had proven themselves in the work of the Gospel.

Is this still happening today?

The Opposite:

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled. Heb 12:15.

Clearly, their choice was not based on popularity!

Meaning of the word: marturoumenous

Of good report (μαρτυρουμενους [marturoumenous]). Present passive participle of μαρτυρεω [martureō], to bear witness to. Men with a good reputation as well as with spiritual gifts (the Holy Spirit and wisdom). We may appoint (καταστησομεν [katastēsomen]). Future active indicative of καθιστημι [kathistēmi], we shall appoint. The action of the apostles follows the choice by the church, but it is promised as a certainty, not as a possibility. The Textus Receptus has a first aorist active subjunctive here (καταστησωμεν [katastēsōmen]).
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Ac 6:3.

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[face2face]

@Carl Emerson If you find yourself all alone in your Bible Study feel free to participate in this anytime.

I'm reminded that Constantine realized that for true unity in the church, he would have to accept Arius, who was excommunicated by the council. As a result, Constantine reconvened the Council of Nicaea in the fall of 327, and invited Arius to Nicaea on November 27th, 327

Now both held wrong doctrinal views, but it was nice of him to extend the invite.

F2F

 

[Carl Emerson]

@Carl Emerson If you find yourself all alone in your Bible Study feel free to participate in this anytime.

I'm reminded that Constantine realized that for true unity in the church, he would have to accept Arius, who was excommunicated by the council. As a result, Constantine reconvened the Council of Nicaea in the fall of 327, and invited Arius to Nicaea on November 27th, 327

Now both held wrong doctrinal views, but it was nice of him to extend the invite.

F2F

It’s is a common misconception that Constantine made Christianity the state religion of Rome, this was actually done by his successor.
Constantine was not himself a Christian, allegedly until his death when Eusebius records that he was baptised.

What Constantine did was legalised the practice of Christianity, and sought to establish a codified understanding of what the religion was, so it could be practiced uniformly throughout the empire.
He sponsored the travel of bishops from all over the empire to come to Nicaea and finally define the religion, and while he presided over the council, he exerted no authority over their decisions.
The pro Nicene group won the vote, and the Arian view of Christ’s non divinity was anathematised, though many later groups continued to believe in it, including some emperors.