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These are the seven men chosen and presented to the church leadership:

1. Stephen means “victors crown.” He is a teacher of the Word of God and will teach with
deep conviction before the religious crowd. He is an excellent example and great
tribute to the potential of promotion in the office of a deacon (1 Timothy 3:13).
Stephen will also become the subject of Acts 7, as well as the first martyr of the church.

2. Philip means “lover of horses.” Philip will become the subject of Acts 8. He will become
the first evangelist of the New Testament (acts 21:8).
3. Prochorus means “leader of a chorus.”
4. Nicanor means “the glorious.”
5. Timon means “honorable.”
6. Parmenas means “abiding.”
7. Nicolas means “victor of the people.” Nicolas is a born-again Greek who was also
circumcised. He later became apostate and founded one of the early cult movements

that opposed Christianity, a group known as the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6, 15). He
mingled Christianity with the worship of Aphrodite and formed a brotherhood which
added other beliefs. Many Christians were drawn away. John associates their teachings
with the doctrine of Balaam.

The choosing of Nicolas reveals that regardless of how well leaders are chosen, some will turn
away. We sometimes blame ourselves or wonder where we went wrong when individuals turn
against us. But this group of believers is doing their best to be led by the Holy Spirit. The seven

men selected are even brought before church leadership. Even with all the safety checks in
place, Nicolas easily became a deacon in the church.

God does not punish us today for what we will do in the future. He rewards us today for our
present faithfulness.

Act 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands
on them.

Although the people chose the seven men, they were ultimately approved by the church
leadership. The people may have chosen people who look good outwardly, but often,
leadership is in a position to know things others do not know.

INCREASE OF THE WORD

Act 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem
greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.