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Jesus Prepares His Table Just For You

The Book of Acts Reveals
The Ongoing Ministry of Jesus

The CommunionFire Commentary On The Book Of ACTS Chapter Six

3/3/2016

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CHAPTER SIX
The First 7 Christian Deacons

Acts 6:1-15 
New American Standard Bible The Awakening Continues! The increasing Population of the Jesus people revealed new functions of how the King directs the developing His Kingdom. The Remarkable Witness of Stephen, the first deacon and martyr.
 
1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. 13 They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; 14for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. 

 
 
By Way of review let’s keep in mind the timeline of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
  1. Acts 1: The Ascension of Jesus witnessed by 120-500 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 and 120 went to the Upper Room to wait for The Promised coming of the Holy Spirit.
  2. Acts 1: Mother of Jesus, Mother of the Church coordinates the 120 in prayer for 9 days
  3. Acts 2: Pentecost - The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room on the 120
  4. Acts 2: Peter preaches in Jerusalem
  5. Acts 2: Jesus adds 3,000 to the Church that same day
  6. Acts 2: The New Community is born of the New Humanity Redeemed and Baptized by Jesus
  7. Acts 2: They had all things common in a Communion-centric lifestyle, freed from the grip of this world
  8. Acts 3: Peter and John go to the Temple  and Jesus raises up the man lame from birth
  9. Acts 4: Peter, John and the lame man in jail over-night persecution of the Church begins
  10. Acts 4: Jesus adds 5,000 more to the New Community at the Temple where the lame man was healed
  11. Acts 4: The Second Pentecost ‘the place was shaken where they had gathered’
  12. Acts 4: Communion-centric, common life of the New Community reaffirms distribution by need
  13. Acts 5: Epic Death of Ananias & Sapphira deceit = God draws the line on mixing the 2 Covenants
  14. Acts 5: Fear and awe came upon the believers realizing Christianity is a life and death decision
  15. Acts 5: More signs and wonders at Solomon’s Porch
  16. Acts 5: Jesus adds more and more men and women to the numbers of the New Community
  17. Acts 5: People from everywhere brought the sick and tormented to Solomon’s Porch
  18. Acts 5: When Peter’s shadow came across them Jesus healed all of them
  19. Acts 5: Peter and John imprisoned again and an Angel released them in the middle of the night
  20. Acts 5: Brought back before the Sanhedrin and say, “We must obey God”
  21. Acts 5: Threatening to kill them Gamaliel steps in and rescues them
  22. Acts 5: The Apostles are flogged and let go
  23. Acts 5: The Apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

By Acts Chapter 6 the New Community is approaching 10,000 people strong.

There have been remarkable miracles, signs, wonders and super natural events that Jesus does to confirm the preaching of the Good News. House to house is the norm. They share meals and Communion, hear the Apostles’ share their witness from the days of walking with Jesus and His teachings. They also share their lives and livelihood. As daily distribution is made by the servers or waiters it becomes apparent to the Apostles that the widows were being overlooked. Peter and the Apostles needed to follow the leading of the Lord in the message, ministry and mission of the Gospel, providing orientation for new believers and in fanning the flames of daily Communion and prayers. So they met the need by having everyone consider the best 7 for the job so that no one’s needs got overlooked. Their first pick was young, passionate Stephen. He acted most like the Apostles. They became the first Deacons or the Church. Deacon means servant or waiter. Their primary job was to make sure everyone was being cared for properly.

The First Seven Deacons (May have been part of the 120 in the Upper Room on Pentecost.)
These were men filled with the Holy Spirit and all members of the first 70 sent by Jesus in Luke 10.
The meaning of their names:
  1. Stephen “crown, garland, glory” the First Martyr of the church
  2. Philip “fond of horses”; one of the 70 apostles/72 disciples sent by Jesus in Luke 10; became a missionary and helped found the Church in Ethiopia, experienced the miracle of ‘geographic translation’ after baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch and had 4 daughters who prophesied.
  3. Prochorus “leader of the dance” (social director?) considered to be one of the 70 apostles/72 disciples sent out by Jesus in Luke 10 He was made bishop of Nicomedia by St. Peter. He was later banished with the Apostle John (John the Theologian) to the Island of Patmos. In Antioch, he died a martyr.
  4. Nicanor  (root: nike) “to prevail, conquer, victorious, to carry off the victory”, was the second Christian martyred along with 200 others on the same day as Stephen by the Jews
  5. Timon (root: time) “value, price”; bishop of Bostra (in Arabia). He was thrown into a furnace, but emerged unharmed and was then crucified.
  6. Parmenas “to stay, abide, remain constant”; He was a bishop of Soli. He died a martyr in Macedonia.
  7. Nicolas “people of the Lord not fighting for victory but from victory, from a position of shalom”; became a heretic referred to as the “Nicolatians” referenced in Revelation.
 
This is an unusual group when you think that most were members of the original 70 that Jesus selected and from whom the 12 were chosen. These 7 went on to replicate the kinds of lives that we see in the 12. Many of the 70 were of high regard as well. (See the list that anchors this post.) We see that the presence of Jesus in the midst of the church rules His Kingdom with the same care and esteem for the overlooked as He does for the Apostles. The Apostles lay hands on “The Seven” to set them apart for the work of the ministry. Caring for the widows and the orphans is as important as sharing the Gospel. The Gospel’s relevance is that Jesus began His ministry casting out demons and healing the leper. The texture of the Kingdom of god is in the fabric of those with the greatest need. Jesus said and demonstrated that He didn’t come for those who have no need of a physician but for those who do. Those who wanted to follow Him were detached from the cares of this life by His love. It was so powerful that those who believed hung on his every word and followed every footstep.

Now He was resident ‘in the midst’ wherever two or more were gathered in His name. He was back on earth in the flesh and blood He provided all who would respond to his invitation to sit at His Table. He wants every believer to be dependent upon Him. He is provider, protector and the one who prospers and authenticates the witness of any believer by confirming His presence in everyday activities and relationships. CommunionFire fueled the Communion-centric lifestyle of the increasing membership of the Jesus people in the early church.

Even Jewish priests were responding giving up their Judaism to be embraced by the King and his Kingdom indicated in the Law and spoken of by the Prophets. They were becoming obedient to the faith! This is a glimpse The Church community in Jerusalem was an everyday event that revealed Jesus at every turn. His presence was even more profound and His voice stronger than at any time He did the bidding of his Father and spoke his Word in his earthly body. In Heaven at the right hand of the Father He is seen and heard through the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in super natural signs, wonders, healing, deliverance and the miraculous.

When there is a full on awakening and the Holy Spirit is moving like a mighty wind in the lives of god’s people extraordinary events take place and extraordinary people emerge. As Stephen cared for the widows and served God’s people He grew in grace and power. We see this in CommunionFire. Paul reports that transformation of believers happens to those who encounter the Lord’s glory in Communion and by it they are transformed from glory to glory. Consider what the Apostle John reports in chapter One of his Gospel:

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Word (Logos) became flesh and made His dwelling among us. After the Ascension He sent the Holy Spirit and Jesus is “in the midst” physically through the blessed bread of His broken Flesh and blessed wine of His precious Blood in Communion. The meal is His reminder that He is here and will never leave. We eat and drink of Him until He returns. When He takes, blesses and gives us the bread torn and shared He opens our eyes removing the veil of our natural vision to let us see super naturally. He Holy Spirit conveys His presence and He shares with us in a technology we don’t understand. He can be both at the father’s right hand and sharing His presence with us at His Table. King David said, “I see the Lord always before me. You face Lord, do I look for. In your presence is life forever more.” We drink from the cup of the New Covenant and in the drinking our ears open to hear His voice. (See Psalm 29). This was the same for St. Stephen the first martyr. His relationship with Jesus was so intimate that he was described like John described Jesus.

“Stephen full of grace and power was performing great wonders and signs among the people.” Stephen was a in communion-with-Jesus every day who walked in the Spirit, was led by the Spirit and prayed in the Spirit constantly. He walked in the overflow of the light of Jesus from Communion. When he showed up Jesus confirmed his presence in the miraculous. When He spoke those he spoke to, heard the voice of Jesus. Representatives from around the world at the synagogue in Jerusalem came and argued with him but they couldn’t cope with the wisdom and the Spirit that came from him. Just like Jesus they conspired to bring persecution to Stephen. “The new wave of Pharisees” some who were there for the judgment, persecution, torture and Crucifixion of Jesus may have been among them. “They” stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes and literally confronted him and dragged him away to “the Council”. They paraded false witnesses to testify that Stephen spoke against the temple, the Law and that Jesus will destroy the temple and the altar and the customs that Moses handed down to us.  Once again the demon of jealousy was outraged and spread the influence of lies and deception to try and diffuse the light of Christ seen upon and coming from Stephen.

Then the power of Jesus was so powerful that they stopped and gazed at Stephen. All of them saw his face shine like and angel. It was the supernatural presence of Jesus being revealed in the only supernatural manifestation they could relate to: an angel! Stephen looked ‘other worldly’! Those who had seen Jesus before knew full well that this was a manifestation of Jesus through Stephen.

Phase one of the persecution of Stephen ended as Jesus ‘knocked the teeth out of the lions’ mouths’. The beloved face Stephen encountered in Communion every day was now mirrored in his face. The light of glory that bathed Stephen in Communion stayed with him and was revealed in the face of His accusers. Clearly something very unusual was going on in the life of Stephen. Perhaps it was the intensity of his devotion at the Lord’s Table. As a ‘waiter’/deacon perhaps he had communion several times a day. Perhaps it was the focus and intensity had in the prayers. The early church prayed in the Spirit, prayed with the Spirit, sang in the Spirit and were constantly encountering the Lord one on one at the Table and then in their fellowship as they would exchange stories of their encounters with each other.

Whatever that special grace was, it came with the lightning and thunder of the truth of Christ’s presence. He anointed Stephen with such revelation it ignited him to become a light so bright that darkness had to flee. His cup overflowed. The goodness and mercy of Jesus was authenticated in Stephen’s witness. The entire “baby church” was growing in grace from glory to glory as they broke the bread of communion from house to house and shared their meals with gladness and singleness of heart.

Acts 4:30 continued to resonate, “By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus.” By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus. Holy child here comes from a word that means a male or female child. Jesus was just getting started. It seems the pattern was miracles, signs, wonders followed by persecution followed by individual and corporate transformation. The Church was young. If this level of awakening is child-like, what would the full measure of a mature believer look and sound like!

Galatians 4:19 “My children, I am suffering birth pains for you again until the Messiah is formed in you.”

The following hymn from Martin Luther expresses this miracle of (trans) formation. Joseph Prince says, "10,000 words in the Spirit, praying in tongues might produce 5 words to be expressed in understanding. Think of how much communion and praying in the Spirit were going on for Martin Luther to write a hymn of 15 verses! Or for the light of God's glory to be visible on the face of St. Stephen. Only He who came from heaven can return and make a way for us. His birth on earth in angels light, and star so bright and the heavens resounding with heaven's song demonstrates what happens when He is born into our hearts. From there He grows into his fullness within us.

"From Heaven Above to Earth I Come"
by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

1. "From heaven above to earth I come
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing:

2. "To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
This little child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all the earth.

3. "This is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Who in all need shall aid afford;
He will Himself your Savior be
From all your sins to set you free.

4. "He will on you the gifts bestow
Prepared by God for all below,

That in His kingdom, bright and fair,
You may with us His glory share.


5. "These are the tokens ye shall mark:
The swaddling-clothes and manger dark;
There ye shall find the Infant laid
By whom the heavens and earth were made."


6. Now let us all with gladsome cheer
Go with the shepherds and draw near
To see the precious gift of God,
Who hath His own dear Son bestowed.

7. Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
What is it in yon manger lies?

Who is this child, so young and fair?
The blessed Christ-child lieth there.

8. Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest,
Through whom the sinful world is blest!
Thou com'st to share my misery;
What thanks shall I return to Thee?

9. Ah, Lord, who hast created all,
How weak art Thou, how poor and small,
That Thou dost choose Thine infant bed
Where humble cattle lately fed!


10. Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
It yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.


11. For velvets soft and silken stuff
Thou hast but hay and straw so rough,
Whereon Thou, King, so rich and great,
As 'twere Thy heaven, art throned in state
.

12. And thus, dear Lord, it pleaseth Thee
To make this truth quite plain to me,

That all the world's wealth, honor, might,
Are naught and worthless in Thy sight.

13. Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.


14. My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep;

I, too, must sing with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradle-song:


15. Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto us His Son hath given!

While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad new year to all the earth.

​The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #85 
Text: Luke 2: 1-18
Author: Martin Luther, 1535
Tune: Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1855, alt.
1st published in: "Geistliche Lieder" Leipzig, 1539

  
It might be good here to review:
The 12 Apostles (Matthew 10:2-4)
  1. The first, Simon, who is called Peter,
  2. and Andrew his brother;
  3. and James* the son of Zebedee,
  4. and John his brother*; 
  5. Philip and
  6. Bartholomew;
  7. Thomas and
  8. Matthew the tax collector;
  9. James* the son of Alphaeus/Cleophas, and
  10. Thaddaeus/Lebbaeus/Jude/Judas*
  11. Simon* the Zealot and
  12. Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
* All are the cousins, “brothers” of Jesus, Joses/Justis, one of the 4 sons of Cleophas is also a cousin/brother of Jesus and one of the 70 apostles; John the Baptist is also a “brother’ of Jesus
 
Jesus’ Amazing Family Tree
The Grandchildren of Anna 5 of 6 cousins/ Jewish custom: “brothers” were of the original 12, one was of the 70 and John the Baptist (Son of Mary’s cousin Elizabeth who was daughter of Grandma Anna’s sister) Jesus called the greatest of all the prophets. All 8 “brothers had the same Grandmother, Anna. Anna was married 3 times and each marriage produced one daughter. All were named Mary. The first was Mary the Mother of Jesus and thereby, the Church. By virtue of Jewish custom when Jesus was anointed King in heaven, Mary became Queen of heaven. It was the mother of the king that always became queen. The second was Mary Cleophas (4 sons) and the third Mary Zebedee (2 sons).
 
The 70/72 apostles/disciples sent out by Jesus in Luke 10 from who the Lord picked the original 12 Apostles (There are other lists of the 70/72 which vary a bit)

  1. Archaicus. Reference to in 1 Corinthians 16:17
  2. Agabus. The prophet Reference to in Acts 11:28; 21:10
  3. Amplias, appointed by St. Andrew as bishop of Lydda of Odyssopolis (Diospolis) in Judea. He died a martyr. Reference to in Romans 16:8.
  4. Ananias, who baptized St. Paul. He was the bishop of Damascus. He became a martyr by being stoned in Eleutheropolis. Reference to in Acts 9:10-17; 22:12
  5. Andronicus, bishop of Pannonia. Reference to in Romans 16:17
  6. Apelles, bishop of Heraclea (in Trachis). Reference to in Romans 16:10
  7. Apollos. He was a bishop of several places over time: Crete (though this is questioned), Corinth, Smyrna, and Caesarea. Reference to in Acts 18:24; 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4-22; 4:6; 16:12, Titus 3:13 (Some scholars say He may have written the book of Hebrews as he is listed by Paul when addressing immaturity of following people instead of the Lord. “One says I am of Peter, another of Paul and another of Apollos and another of Jesus”)
  8. Aquila. He was martyred. Reference to in Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19
  9. Archippus. Reference to in Colossians 4:17; Philemon 2
  10. Aristarchus, bishop of Apamea in Syria. He was martyred under Nero. “Aristarchus, whom Paul mentions several times, calling him a ‘fellow laborer,’ became bishop of Apamea in Syria.” Orthodox Study Bible Reference to in Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24
  11. Aristobulus, bishop of Britain. “… the brother of the apostle Barnabas, preached the gospel in Great Britain and died peacefully there.” Orthodox Study Bible Reference to in Romans 16:14
  12. Artemas, bishop of Lystra in Lycia. Reference to in Titus 3:12
  13. Aristarchus, bishop of Hyracania in Asia. Reference to in Romans 16:14
  14. Barnabas. “A Jew of the Tribe of Levi, was born in Cyprus of wealthy parents. He is said to have studied under Gamaliel with Saul of Tarsus, who was to become Paul the apostle. Originally named Joseph, he was called Barnabas (Son of Consolation) by the apostles because he had a rare gift of comforting people’s hearts. He sought out Paul when everyone else was afraid of him, bringing him to the apostles. It was Barnabas whom the apostles first sent to Antioch with Paul. Their long association was broken only when Barnabas was determined to take his cousin Mark, whom Paul did not trust just then, on a missionary journey. The three were later reconciled. Many ancient accounts say Barnabas was the first to preach in Rome and in Milan, but he was martyred in Cyprus, then buried by Mark at the western gate of the city of Salamis.” Orthodox Study Bible Reference to in Acts 4:36; 9:27; 11-15; 1 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2:1,9,13; Colossians 4:10
  15. Caesar, bishop of Dyrrhachium (in the Peloponnese of Greece)
  16. Carpus, bishop of Berroia (Verria, in Macedonia. Reference to in 2 Timothy 4:13
  17. Clement, bishop in Sardis. Reference to in Philippians 4:3
  18. Cephas, bishop of Iconium, Pamphyllia.
  19. Cleopas, was with the Lord on the road to Emmaus. Reference to in Luke 24:18; John 19:25
  20. Crescens, later bishop of Galatia. He was martyred under the Emperor Trajan. Reference to in 2 Timothy 4:10
  21. Crispus, bishop of Aegina, Greece. Reference to in Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:14
  22. Epaphras. Reference to in Colossians 1:7; 4:12; Philemon 23
  23. Epaphroditus, bishop of the Thracian city of Adriaca. Reference to in Philippians 2:25; 4:18
  24. Epaenetus, bishop of Carthage. Reference to in Romans 16:5
  25. Erastus. He served as a deacon and steward to the Church of Jerusalem. Later he served in Palestine. Reference to in Acts 19:22; Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20
  26. Euodias (Evodius), first bishop of Antioch after St. Peter. He wrote several compositions. At the age of sixty-six, under the Emperor Nero, he was martyred. Reference to in Philippians 4:2
  27. Fortunatus. Reference to in 1 Corinthians 16:17
  28. Gaius, bishop of Ephesus. Reference to in Acts 19:29; 20:4; Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14; 3 John 1
  29. Hermas, bishop in Philipopoulis. He wrote The Shepherd of Hermas. He died a martyr. Reference to in Romans 16:14
  30. Hermes, bishop of Dalmatia. Reference to in Romans 16:14
  31. Herodion, a relative of the Apostle Paul, bishop of Neoparthia. He was beheaded in Rome. Reference to in Romans 16:11
  32. James, brother of the Lord (also called "the Less" or "the Just"). James was the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Reference to in Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Acts 12:17; 15:13; Epistle of James
  33. Jason, bishop of Tarsus. Traveling with Sosipater to Corfu, the two were able, after an attempt made at their lives by the king of Corfu, to convert his majesty. Reference to in Acts 17:5-9
  34. Justus, brother to the Lord and bishop of Eleutheropolis. He was the half-brother of Christ (as was Sts. James, Jude, and Simon) through Joseph's previous marriage to Salome. He died a martyr. Reference to in Acts 1:23; 18:7; Colossians 4:11
  35. Linus, bishop of Rome. Reference to in 2 Timothy 4:21
  36. Lucius, bishop of Laodicea. Reference to in Acts 13:1; Romans 16:21
  37. Luke the Evangelist. He is the author of the Gospel of Luke, and the founder of Iconography (Orthodox Icon-writing). Reference to in Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24
  38. Mark the Evangelist (called John). He wrote the Gospel of Mark. He also founded the Church of Alexandria, serving as its first bishop. Reference to in Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37-39; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24; 1 Peter 5:13
  39. Mark
  40. Narcissus, ordained by the Apostle Philip as bishop of Athens, Greece. Reference to in Romans 16:11
  41. Nicanor, one of the original seven deacons. He was martyred on the same day as the Promartyr Stephen. Reference to in Acts 6:5
  42. Olympas, beheaded with St. Peter under Nero. Reference to in Romans 16:15
  43. Onesimus. Onesimus preached the Gospel in many cities. He was made bishop of Ephesus, and later bishop of Byzantium (Constantinople). He was martyred under the Emperor Trajan. Reference to in Colossians 4:9; Philemon 10
  44. Onesiphorus, bishop of Colophon (Asia Minor), and later of Corinth. He died a martyr in Parium. Reference to in 2 Timothy 1:16; 4:19
  45. Parmenas, one of the original seven deacons. He preached throughout Asia Minor, and later settled in Macedonia. He was a bishop of Soli. He died a martyr in Macedonia. Reference to in Acts 6:5
  46. Patrobus, bishop of Neapolis (Naples). Reference to in Romans 16:14
  47. Philemon. He, with his wife Apphia, and the apostle Archippus, were martyred by pagans during a pagan feast. Reference to in Philemon 1
  48. Philip the Deacon (one of the original seven deacons). He was born in Palestine, and later preached throughout its adjoining lands. In Acts, he converts a eunuch (an official) of Candace, queen of Ethiopia, to Christ. He was later made bishop by the apostles at Jerusalem, who also sent him to Asia Minor. Reference to in Acts 6; 8; 21:8
  49. Philologus, ordained bishop of Sinope (near the Black sea) by the Apostle Andrew. Reference to in Romans 16:15
  50. Phlegon, bishop of Marathon, in Thrace. Reference to in Romans 16:14
  51. Prochorus, one of the original seven deacons. He was made bishop of Nicomedia by St. Peter. He was later banished with the Apostle John (John the Theologian) to the Island of Patmos. In Antioch, he died a martyr. Reference to in Acts 6:5
  52. Pudens (Pastorum). He was an esteemed member of the Roman Senate, then received Sts. Peter and Paul into his home, and was converted to Christ by them. He was martyred under Nero. Reference to in Acts 6:5
  53. Quadratus, bishop of Athens. He was author of the Apologia. He was stoned, but survived. Soon-after, he died of starvation in prison.
  54. Quartus, bishop of Beirut. Reference to in Romans 16:23
  55. Rufus, bishop of Thebes, Greece. Reference to in Mark 15:21; Romans 16:13 (possibly the son of Simon the Cyrene who helped carry the Cross.)
  56. Silas (Silvanus), bishop of Corinth. Reference to in Acts 15:22-40; 16:19-40; 17:4-15; 18:5; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12
  57. Simeon, son of Cleopas. “Simeon, son of Cleopas (who was the brother of Joseph, the betrothed of the Virgin Mary), succeeded James as bishop of Jerusalem.” Orthodox Study Bible. He was martyred through torture and crucifixion, at the age of one-hundred. Reference to in Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3
  58. Sosipater, ordained bishop of Iconium by the Apostle Paul, his relative. With St. Jason, he converted the king of Corfu. Reference to in Romans 16:21
  59. Sosthenes. “… became bishop of Caesarea.” Orthodox Study Bible Reference to in 1 Corinthians 1:1
  60. Stachys, ordained by St. Andrew to be bishop of Byzantium. Reference to in Romans 16:9
  61. Stephen the Promartyr and Archdeacon (one of the original seven deacons). Reference to in Acts 6:5-7:60; 8:2 (Acts 6:5-8:2); 11:19; 22:20
  62. Tertius, bishop of Iconium (after Sosipater). He wrote down St. Paul's letter to the Romans. He died a martyr. Reference to in Romans 16:22
  63. Thaddaeus. He was baptized by John the Baptist (John the Forerunner). He later preached, and founded a Church in Beirut. Reference to in Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18
  64. Timon, one of the original seven deacons, and later bishop of Bostra (in Arabia). He was thrown into a furnace, but emerged unharmed. Reference to in Acts 6:5
  65. Timothy. He accompanied St. Paul often, and both 1 and 2 Timothy are addressed to him. He was ordained bishop of Ephesus by St. Paul. He died a martyr. Reference to in Acts 16:1; 17:14, 15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 and 2 Timothy
  66. Titus. “Among the more prominent of the seventy was the apostle Titus, whom Paul called his brother and his son. Born in Crete, Titus was educated in Greek philosophy, but after reading the prophet Isaiah he began to doubt the value of all he had been taught. Hearing the news of the coming of Jesus Christ, he joined some others from Crete who were going to Jerusalem to see for themselves. After hearing Jesus speak and seeing His works, the young Titus joined those who followed Him. Baptized by the apostle Paul, he worked with and served the great apostle of the gentiles, traveling with him until Paul sent him to Crete, making him bishop of that city. It is said that Titus was in Rome at the time of the beheading of St. Paul and that he buried the body of his spiritual father before returning home. Back in Crete, he converted and baptized many people, governing the Church on that island until he entered into rest at the age of ninety-four.” Orthodox Study Bible Reference to in 2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6-14; 8:6-23; 12:18; Galatians 2:1-3; Epistle to Titus
  67. Trophimus, disciple of St. Paul, and martyred under Nero. Reference to in Acts 20:4; 21:29; 2 Timothy 4:20
  68. Tychicus. “… Succeeded him (Sosthenes, as bishop) in that city (of Caesarea).” Orthodox Study Bible. He delivered St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians and Colossians. Reference to in Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12
  69. Urbanus, ordained by the Apostle Andrew as bishop of Macedonia. He died a martyr. Reference to in Romans 16:9
  70. Zenas (called 'the lawyer'), bishop of Diospolis (Lydda), in Palestine. Reference to in Titus 3:13
 
Additional Names:
  1. Alphaeus, father of the apostle James and Matthew.
  2. Apphia, wife to the Apostle Philemon. The Church had gathered in her home for liturgy, while pagans who had been celebrating a pagan feast broke in and raided her home. They took Apphia, Philemon, and Archippus to be killed. She suffered martyrdom, and is commemorated by the Church on February 19.
  3. Junia, accompanied Andronicus in preaching all over Pannonia. She was a relative to the Apostle Paul, and a martyr.
  4. Silvan, bishop of Thessaloniki, Greece. Reference to in 1 Peter 5:12; 2 Corinthians 1:19
  5. Zacchaeus, appointed by St.Peter to be bishop of Caesarea. Reference to in Luke 19:1-10
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    From Bob Bonnell

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