Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists [Greek speaking Jews], because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. (Acts 6:1; read "Acts 6 Bible Study Hellenists")
The King James version states, ...there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. (Acts 6:1) When Jesus had first sent out the twelve disciples, These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 10:5-6) But then after His resurrection, And He said to them, “...But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)
The disciples were still new at being leaders of this new "church". They still had a lot to learn, which is true about any new ministry and minister. That's why so many of the epistles of the New Testament are books of instruction to new believers. But as God would later state through the Apostle James, Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)
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. 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 6:2-4)
Yet again, first impression would lead us to believe that the disciples may have felt serving tables was beneath them, but that is not what they meant. Remember, Jesus taught them, "...whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28) Then, at another time, He demonstrated this Truth by washing the disciples feet. (John 13:1-17)
So for the disciples, the problem wasn't that they didn't want to serve; the problem was that the church was new, and they had to give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. They had the responsibility of teaching the people the Word of God, and many of these people in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth may have heard about God, but did not have access to a copy of the Word of God. Remember, an approved worker of God must Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
However, the disciples did give instruction to the 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. We have to be so careful who we appoint as leaders and who leaders appoint to serve in the "church". People have to have more than a desire to serve; we have to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom! Wanting to do something doesn't mean we should be doing something. God has given all of us a work to do within the "church", within the body of believers. (I Corinthians 12) But first we have to be sure that we are members of His body, full of the Holy Spirit; then we will have the wisdom to know what service God wants us to give.
There is no excuse for anyone in the "church", in the body of Christ to be lazy and uninvolved in some form of service. The leaders can't do everything. For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13) And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:5-7)
Three very interesting things to note: First, the saying pleased the whole multitude. The people were glad to be involved in the process of choosing helpers, and the helpers were willing to be used. Secondly, the seven men appointed to serve the Hellenists were are Greeks, or at least their names were Greek. The Hellenists' widows who felt they were neglected would appreciate having people who understood their language and culture helping them. God lead leaders should always be full of the Holy Spirit to make wise choices in how to best meet the needs of the "church".
The third thing is that the way the apostles and the new converts treated each other and represented Christ did not go unnoticed, but a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Remember while Christ Jesus was on the earth, Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (John 12:42-43) But now, just as the apostles and other disciples have boldness (Acts 4), these priests are growing in their faith and boldness also. Let these believers be an example to all of us, to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and to serve!
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