In an attempt to find a path through the maze of problems associated with this section our summary will be divided into two distinct sections. The first will deal with Luke's use of this episode and its relation to the total structure of Acts. The second will consider criticisms of Luke's presentation and consequent attempts to reconstruct the course of events.

THE NARRATIVE ACCORDING TO LUKE

The sudden, unexpected appearance of two groups within the Jerusalem Church in Acts 6: 1 probably means that Luke is drawing on a source at this point. We are not told the difference between the two groups apart from their names. It is clear that for Luke the Hellenists are Jews and not Gentiles, since according to Acts 10 Cornelius is the first Gentile convert. That Luke saw the Seven as Hellenists is probable though not certain. If he did, then the fact that Nicolaus is called a proselyte and that the speech attributed to Stephen begins, ‘Brethren and fathers, hear me, The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham…’ confirms that Luke saw the Hellenists as Jews. The distinctive mark of the Hellenists is less clear: they may have been Greek-speaking, of Diaspora origin, ‘hellenisers’, that is, those who aped and propagated the Greek way of life, or any combination of these three.

The dispute between the Hebrews and Hellenists and the consequent institution of the Seven is not related because Luke has a particular interest in ‘offices’ or ‘ranks’ in the Church.