Just Say the Word: Acts 6:1 — Trouble within the church

   They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Now look at Acts 4:32-35:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

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The perfect church, or at least the seemingly perfect church.  Naturally, the perfection didn’t last, because human beings are involved.

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Acts chapter 6, vs. 1:

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

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So what caused this problem in the church? I think there is a clue in the first passage I referred to, Acts 2:47b  ... And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  Now wait a minute... church growth... that’s not a problem. Rapid expansion beyond their means to control or manage or properly facilitate was the problem. A good problem to have, and yet a problem.

The Hebraic Jews were native born, and would have spoken Aramaic. The Grecian Jews would have been converts from other lands who spoke Greek, probably converted at Pentecost. It was most likely the language barrier that caused the problem, not anything done intentionally.

But here is a problem with a solution: it seemed very democratic — the 12 were presented with the problem and called together the whole group, giving them the authority to choose from among themselves, with only three requirements:

1 choose seven

2 full of the Spirit

3 and wisdom

The result was the first deacon board, nominated and voted in by the congregation in a meeting conducted according to Roberts’ Rules of Order. (Well, at least the equivalent in that day)These seven men had Greek names, meaning Greek was their native language. Problem solved.

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As was true in the past, human beings are the  reason churches aren’t perfect. But all is not lost, as one day we will share in Christ’s perfection if we say “yes” and follow after Him.