IN THE DAYS OF GROWTH
Acts 6:1 - 7
When Satan has attacked the
Church from the outside in vain, he assails it on the inside. Acts 6:1-7 is
about an internal challenge the church
faced in its early life. The challenge comes at a time of great
blessing through an increased number of disciples and a noble project to help poor
widows. The Apostles were able to solve
the social discord that arose between Hellenic and Jerusalem Jews (v.1) by a
structural solution that reordered the leadership (v.3-5). Four issues present lessons:
Blessing: Paradox
of blessing (v. 1). ‘In those days’, they experienced the blessing
of growth but it came with new challenges. You cannot escape from challenges. Blessings
come with baggage/accompaniments. Blessings solve problems but also pose their
own problems and temptations. Often we
want the promise but not the challenges and adjustments that come with the
promise. As in Numbers 13, we wish the land did not have giants. We cry for a
spouse only to later cry about the spouse. We want a farm or place in College
but cry about the hard work it demands. In life experience, every blessing tends
to come short of our ideal.
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If the accompaniments
are not dealt with well they threaten the blessing itself.
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Accompaniments
demand and help you develop to live with and steward the blessing
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Accompaniments
are good in keeping you humble and remaining dependent on God.
Church growth means more variety
of people, responsibility, sacrifice, and willingness to adapt an organization to
new numbers and a variety of people.
Relationships (v. 2). The Greek-speaking (Hellenic) Jews complained of
being overlooked by the Hebrew Jews. We learn the inevitability of social
strife and the importance of resolving conflicts swiftly and fairly. Conflict is a natural by-product of two people working together. Up to this point, ‘they were all with one
accord’. When a church grows, it is important to treat people and those who
are different with impartiality. Increasing numbers increase the possibility of
social strife.
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When men began
to multiply, they corrupted themselves (Genesis 6:1f). Thou hast multiplied the
nation, and not increased their joy (Isaiah 9:3). When Abraham and Lot increased, there was strife between their
herdsmen (Genesis 13:7);
In Christ Jesus there is neither Greek nor Jew (Colossians 3:11)
– it does not matter whether people wear the earliest or the latest, from the
east or west, and whether blue or green.
We cannot be an Acts 1:8 Antioch-type church if we
entertain cultural prejudices and fail to accommodate new people with their
imperfections. We have to respect the intrinsic value of human life and
dignity.
Leadership (v. 3-4). Many problems in personal and institutional life come from failure to
organize well. The Apostles solved the divisions surfacing in the church by sharing
the workload between more people and improving the leadership structure to
allow focus on their main business of ministry of the word (Acts 4:20) and
prayer. Battle
Sustained Growth (v. 7). As a result, ‘their
number increased greatly’. This time,
even priests were converted. Early in its life the church, as in its future, proves
that conflicts within and persecution without do not stop its advance.
Message by
Dr. Kurai Chitima.
Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center
Ground and First Floors
Sunset Bay
Building
204B Bram Fischer
drive,
Randburg, Johannesburg , South Africa
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