Peter and John were considered to be unlearned and ignorant men. :-)
unlearned - G62 - From G1 (as negative particle) and G1121; unlettered, that is, illiterate.
ignorant - G2399 - From G2398; a private person, that is, (by implication) an ignoramus (compare “idiot”).
I have to smile at 'their' perception of what it means to be 'learned' and 'wise.' Obviously their perception and Father's varies greatly. Would that we were all as 'unlearned' and 'ignorant' as Peter and John and had their boldness to boot.
Peter and John contend that: "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:20)
How oft do we recount, especially to hostile, ungrateful, and/or disbelieving people those things which we have 'seen' and 'heard' of our Lord and Father?
Acts 4 records that the lame man's miracle caused all to glorify God - which caused the 'authorities' some disconcertion - they were unable to substantiate punishing them.
Recap of the lame man - he was over 40, he was lame from his mother's womb, he was STANDING with them (Peter and John) while they were being questioned. Are we willing to stand by those who are being persecuted for the faith?
Peter and John reported back to the others - Acts 4:24-31 - they prayed and asked for boldness to speak HIS word. God's response? "They spake the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31)
Would that the Bride of Christ - the invisible and visible church, would pray for such and be granted that same boldness.
I have recently been studying paedo and credo baptism - and because this topic is at the forefront of my mind, particular Scriptures jump out at me. Specifically:
Acts 5:14 - And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women).
Horrible way to break up the passage, with only a portion of a parenthetical statement - sorry! Believers were added...not infants...not children...men and women. This journey is almost similar in my journey upon discovering the doctrine of election - once Father had enlightened my understanding the words of election, predestination, foreknowledge LEPT off the page. As I am studying out both positions on paedo and credo, I see Father reaffirming that believers, those who could make a confession, were baptized and added to the church.
Second imprisonment - I missed this before...the apostles - so the 12 were haled into prison. Not just Peter and John - and God sent an angel to open the door of the prison and they are thus commissioned:
"Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." (Acts 5:20)
I like Gill's commentary:
Act 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people,.... They were not delivered out of prison, in order to go and secure themselves from danger; but to go about the work they were called to, to preach the Gospel "in the temple", the place of worship; and a proper place to meet with persons to preach to, being a public place, whither the Jews always resorted; and there they were to stand, and continue with courage and intrepidity, not fearing the reproach and wrath of men, seeing they had both Christ and truth on their side; and there declare it "to the people", the common people, the multitude, even all that came to hear: the Gospel is to be preached to all; the Spirit of God makes it effectual to some, and others are rendered inexcusable.
The counsel of Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, someone held in high esteem: "And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." (Acts 5:38-39).
What has Father 'called' you to? Are you fearful, afraid? Do not want to be seen as odd or different? Afraid of being ostracized? Our Father has told us to stand firm, and having done all to stand, stand therefore.
Where Father guides, He always provides - He will never leave, nor forsake us. Lord, that we would have the boldness, the fervency of the early church to go, stand and speak.
The seven appointed: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas. The first two, Stephen and Philip have more to be discovered about them, the remaining five are blessed to be recorded as being worthy to minister to the widows in Jerusalem.
I used the Hitchcock Bible Names Dictionary for the following:
Stephen - crown; crowned
Philip - warlike; a lover of horses
Prochorus - he that presides over the choirs
Nicanor - a conqueror; victorious
Timon - honorable; worthy
Parmenas - that abides
Nicolas - (same as Nicodemus) - victory of the people
What were the requirements for those they called out? Honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. Note the Nicolas name is the same as Nicodemus, it is not THE Nicodemus. I checked Gill's Commentary, which was quite interesting regarding the names - avail yourselves of the opportunity to read it - and found this portion on the passage interesting:
It is observable, that the names of all these deacons are Greek names; from whence, it seems, that they were of the Grecian or Hellenistic Jews; so that the church thought fit to chose men out of that part of them which made the complaint, in order to make them easy; which is an instance of prudence and condescension, and shows of what excellent spirits they were of.
We all have a 'job' within the body of Christ - are we aware and functioning as HE has directed? Would that we were all:
We are enjoined:
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
and
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Col 4:5-6)
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