Friday
Friday
A Problem and Its Solution
We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:3–4
The devil’s next attack was the cleverest of the three. Having failed to overcome the church by either persecution or corruption, he now tried distraction. If he could preoccupy the apostles with social administration (which, though essential, was not their calling), they would neglect their God-given responsibilities to preach and to pray, and so leave the young church without adequate defense against false doctrine.
A regrettable goggysmos (a grumbling complaint) had broken out between the two groups called Hellenistai (Grecian Jews) and Hebraioi (Hebraic Jews). In particular the Hellenistai were complaining against the Hebraioi that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. The apostles saw that the problem was deeper than one of cultural tension. The administration was threatening to occupy all their time and so inhibit them from the work that Christ had specifically entrusted to them, namely preaching and teaching, with prayer.
So the Twelve wisely called a church meeting and shared the problem with the disciples. It would not be right, they said, for them to neglect the ministry of the Word in order to wait on tables. It was a question of calling. So they proposed that the church members should choose seven men, full of wisdom and the Spirit, to whom the apostles could delegate the care of the widows. Then they (the apostles) would be able to give priority to preaching and prayer. This delegation of social work to the Seven may be the origin of the diaconate, although they are not called diakonoi.
The church saw the point of the apostles’ plan and put it into effect, choosing seven men, all with Greek names, and all Spirit-filled believers, including Stephen and Philip. They were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them and commissioned and authorized them to exercise this ministry by the laying on of hands. The immediate problem was solved.
For further reading: Acts 6:1–6