Acts 6:1-Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
In Acts, the early church began with members being added, but by chapter 6, the numbers were multiplying. Since we understand that multiplication is repeated addition, we can infer that the membership was growing at such a rate, that it was referred to as multiplication rather than addition. But with this multiplication of so many people came opportunities for division, not of the mathematical sort, but of the divisive sort.
The apostles were “doing too much”, as the younger generation like to say. They were the leaders and felt a sincere obligation to take care of the people. But in having such a “hands-on” ministry, things were naturally being neglected. The first problem Luke mentioned was the daily distribution of goods.
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
Acts 6:1 NKJV
As we saw in chapters 4 and 5, the church had begun to collect money to help support those in need, and everything was given to the apostles. At first, this seemed like a good idea, but they just kept multiplying, and it became increasingly difficult for them to make sure everyone was taken care of.
Let’s stop and think about how the enemy had raised his hand against the church thus far. At first, the attacks came from without the church, from religious leaders against the apostles. Now the enemy tries a different attack. If he couldn’t stop the church from without, then he would try from within. Same old devil, same old tactics that are used today.
Not only that, but the problem seemed to be between the needs of two different groups in the church, the Hebrews and the Hellenists. Now according to Keener, the Hellenists were also Jews, but they had been heavily influenced by the Greek culture, probably from the Diaspora. They spoke the language fluently, embraced the traditions, and seemed more like Greeks than Jews. While the Hebrews were also Jews, they were more likely to speak Aramaic or Hebrew and clung to their Jewish background and traditions.
The devil has no new tricks! If race alone won’t divide the church, then he’ll use any means necessary to try and accomplish his goal! Make no mistake about it, the church is going through spiritual warfare and the current attacks are meant to destroy itself from within!
So, the Hellenists took their complaint to the apostles. They said that during the daily distribution, they had realized that the widows of the Hellenistic population were being neglected, however, it seemed that the Hebrew widows were doing just fine! There was no indication that it was intentional, but it was happening. There is a difference between intentional and unintentional neglect. They are both wrong, but intentional neglect is worse!
Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
Acts 6:2 NKJV
The twelve apostles called a meeting of the disciples who were present. They didn’t ignore the complaint. They didn’t send them back and tell them that they needed to be more spiritual, or that the most important thing was that they were Christians and they had to walk in love! No! They addressed the issue!
I have to admit that this is the thing that bothers me the most about the current church. If you don’t know that I am black, then let me tell you, I am Black and a woman! And it is so frustrating to hear the church at large dismiss women and Black people. I heard one white pastor was asked why he never invited Black ministers to the church, seeing the church was multicultural. His response was that he didn’t know any Black preachers who could preach! Seriously? None? Then he should do something about that because there are many Black preachers capable of preaching God’s word!
I heard another well-known Black preacher state that white ministers will allow you to sing in their choirs, and play in their bands, but not preach in their pulpit or sit on their boards. Are we still having these biases?
And let’s not start with how they treat women in some churches. Women make up the majority of everybody’s congregation. That means that we are the tithers, we are the ones volunteering in children’s ministry, we are the ones singing in the choirs, we are the ones teaching in the Sunday schools, and we are the ones cleaning the buildings, but we need to stay in our place and it’s not the pulpit! Unbelievable! Are we still so narrow-minded in the church? Have we not realized that God uses vessels who are available and willing to do His bidding?
Ok! Back to Acts! The apostles called a meeting, and in the meeting, they shared a plan:
Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
Acts 6:2 NKJV
The apostles knew that their primary responsibility in the kingdom was to share the Word of God. However, they also understood that the daily needs of the members of the church were also their responsibility. One they were not capable of personally meeting. It was time for division in another capacity, a division of labor. They found themselves in the same position that Moses found himself in after leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. He was handling everything himself, until his father-in-law, Jethro, told him he was “doing too much”!
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:3-4 NKJV
As Moses was instructed to find men who could deal with the lighter concerns of the people, making himself available to handle the weightier matters, so, the apostles gave instructions to the disciples. They were to look amongst themselves and find men they trusted and respected who were full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom whom the apostles could appoint over the distribution.
Some pastors see “complaints” from the congregants as an attack on their leadership. And sometimes it very well may be an attack against them. But if we are honest with ourselves, it could simply be the Lord’s way of saying “They are doing too much” and need some more help!
Multiplication within a church is a blessing. But division can also be a blessing. We need to learn to listen to one another when a complaint is issued from within. We need to learn to take those things to the Lord to see if what the devil is trying to use to divide us is also a nudging that things need to change to meet our growing pains. Multiplication and division complement one another until they don’t! Division can make us feel threatened in our positions or, it can be used to spurt and support our multiplicity. The choice is ours to make. The devil really isn’t in control! God is! Wonderful Jesus!
Wonderful Jesus! 