The early church experienced rapid growth, as we have already seen in this book. But rapid growth often brings problems and tensions with it and that is exactly what Luke shows us. Some say he paints an idealised picture of the early church but that just isn't so. Not only does he record the sin of Ananias and Sapphira but in this passage he opens for us an acute problem faced by the early church.
In Acts, we see the church warts and all! And, it could be said, we see Satan's third line of attack: having used persecution and deceit, he now tries to distract the early church.
1. The Problem
The acute problem faced by the church was twofold. Tensions arose over the way that food was distributed to the needy among the believers.
The church was made up at this stage of Jewish believers but of two different backgrounds. Some were Grecian Jews, that is Jews who had lived more in line with Greek culture; and there were Hebraic Jews, those who lives were more closely patterned on Hebrew culture.
Now, complaints were made by the Grecian Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. They felt aggrieved and marginalised by the others. And so they grumbled about it. The word 'complained' is the one that is used to describe the moaning of the Israelites in the desert in the OT. It is also the word Paul uses in Phil. 2:14.
Although they raise the issue in an inappropriate way, if there are problems in the church, they need to be raised and dealt with. One of the worst things to do is allow difficulties to fester. In many ways, it's no big deal: if there's a problem, let's sort it.
The problem here was real and needed to be handled. Those widows who were losing out were in genuine need and, as well as that, they perceived they were being overlooked because of their cultural background - they weren't part of the 'in crowd'.
How is this situation going to be handled? The twelve call the disciples together to sort it out. Clearly this will need to be managed well; if people have been overlooked, whatever system is being used to distribute the food has got to be modified. The question is, who will see to that?
The twelve assert that "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word to wait on tables". What are they really saying? Are they suggesting that this work is beneath their dignity? Are they suggesting that they should never be expected to do anything of this sort?
I don't think they are saying either of those things. What they are saying is that they need to give their primary attention to their primary calling. They aren't being snooty, they're trying to be faithful to God in using of their gifts. And their gifts pertain to the ministry of the word and the prayer that accompanies it.
There aren't apostles today but the same points can perhaps be made about the work of pastors and elders. The primary task to which the church calls pastors and elders is the ministry of the word and prayer. Now that ministry will not just be about teaching in public but in private and one-to-one too, along with the training of others.
What it will not include is what could be called 'social work'. Am I saying that a pastor should never call to see someone who is lonely or sick, except to share God's word? No, of course he should, as he is able to and as his other responsibilities allow. But what I am saying is that such work is not the dedicated responsibility of pastors and elders.
Whose work is it then? It is a whole church responsibility. In James 1:27 we read that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress" as well as moral purity. That is something for every believer to work on. If someone is unwell, the pastor has a role to play, in seeking to bring encouragement and help from God's word, but there is a part for all of us to play in visiting the sick and lonely, in giving a helping hand when someone is in need. All God's people are ministers.
2. The Solution
If the twelve don't do this work, if pastors aren't called to sort things like this out, won't the problem just grow and spread? There should be no need for that. The twelve propose a solution that overcomes any expectation on the part of a church that the pastor should be the one who does everything and that overcomes a pastor's worry that if he doesn't hold the whole show together, everything will collapse.
The solution is, not only to see that God calls and equips all his people for service, but to appoint suitably qualified people to undertake specific tasks.
Although all are called to minister, not all have the ability or opportunity to do so. And some needs require a proper structure in order to be met. So the disciples tell the people to choose from among them seven men to whom they can hand this task over. It seems that they have been trying to do the work, in addition to their other responsibilities and perhaps that's why it's all gone to pot!
But notice what the qualifications for serving are. They don't mention organisational ability or a head for sums; they speak of spiritual character and wisdom. They will need to be men who will not be swayed by prejudice, who will also put the gospel first, who will be men of compassion and grace.
Beyond any skills we may posses and gifts we may want to exercise, these are always the primary requirements, whatever the job. It applies to pastors and elders; it applies to those called to share out the food equally.
3. The Outcome: Further Growth
We are all called to serve. Pastors and elders have particular work to do; they must not be hindered in that. Where other needs arise, we must each ask how we might contribute to meeting that need. And if it needs a dedicated solution, we need to appoint suitable people to the task.
What was the result of their suggestion? Seven men were chosen, and judging by their names they were all from the Grecian Jews. And they were authorised to do their work by the laying on of hands and prayed for.
And then, best of all, "the word of God spread. The number of disciples... increased rapidly". Are we eager for that? Then we must all play our part to the full, by God's grace, for his glory. May he help us to do so. Amen.
