<p>6:3 <i>Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men</i><i>- </i>James 1:27 may allude here. James defines the essence of Christianity as &lsquo;visiting&rsquo; the fatherless and widows. But the Greek word occurs also in Acts 6:3, translated &lsquo;to look / search out&rsquo;. We are to actually search out others&rsquo; needs, go to them, imagine what they might be in need of and supply it- rather than waiting to be confronted by those needs. It was of course exactly in this sense that God &lsquo;visited&rsquo; us in the gift of His Son.</p><p><i>Of good repute</i>- The qualifications here are alluded to later in the New Testament with regard to who should be appointed to serve in the churches. The early church was not therefore seen as a historical anomaly, a once off phenomenon, but rather a detailed role model for all future churches.</p><p><i>Full of the Spirit and of wisdom</i>- Bezalel and his helpers who constructed the tabernacle are likewise described (Ex. 28:3; 31:3; 35:31,35). The allusion is intended to teach that it was the community of Christian believers, the people, who were now the new tabernacle or temple (cp. 1 Kings 7:14) which the Lord was now constructing. Stephen went to his death for upholding this belief.</p><p><i>Whom we will appoint to this duty</i>- There were no democratic elections. The multitude, the mass of believers, were to somehow come up with seven candidates, and the apostles 'appointed' them, presumably by their Spirit gifts confirming the choices.</p>