“Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”
They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them - the 'laying on of hands' (epitithēmi tas cheiras) is a form of blessing and commissioning that will become foundational to ordination (cf. 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6). The prayer precedes the laying on of hands, indicating that the action is ratified by the apostolic intercession. This establishes the Seven as officially commissioned, not merely volunteers.
Church Fathers on Acts 6:6
and Philip, and Prochoras, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: whom they set before the Apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 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. Acts 6:5-7 But let us look over again what has been spoken. You men of Israel take heed to yourselves. Recapitulation, Acts…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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