The Book of Acts: Discipleship In Action Pt. 23 Problem Addressed & Unity Maintained.

 In Acts five, the problem of Ananias and Sapphira's sin was exposed and dealt with by the apostles. When sin was judged and righteousness restored then the mighty blessings from God continued to flow.

It encourages us to find that as the number of the disciples was multiplied it caused great anger among the priests and Sadducees to see God at work. Opposition from the religious leaders to the preaching of the gospel did not slow down the work of God. 

Instead of checking the gospel's rapid progress, opposition helped spread the gospel. God will use opposition and persecution to grow His church.

This is a pattern that we will see repeated in our studies through the Book of Acts.  This newly born, infant Christian church mirrored the Hebrews who entered into Egypt. As Pharaoh ramped up his persecution of the Hebrews, the more the people were afflicted, the more they multiplied.

Today we are going to turn to Acts 6. This chapter begins with another issue that the early church faced. It is not a complicated matter but it had potential to cause sharp divisions if left unaddressed. 

People began to murmur and complain.

Acts 6:1  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 

The phrase "in those days" refers to the beginnings of the church from Pentecost on, as many thousands were born again and many more were saved each day through gospel preaching. 

The words "there arose" means that something problematic became public knowledge. 

Certain people in the early church began "murmuring." The word "murmuring" means muttering or complaining secretly about someone or something. 

The word "murmuring" always catches my attention because it is a word with strong negative connotations. 

Murmuring is always a sin against God. It is a sin that, unfortunately, creeps up in each generation and the early church was no exception. 

Who was murmuring? It was the "Grecians" which is a term that refers to Greek speaking Jews. Those were Jews born in Roman provinces in other lands where Greek was the language of business. They were "Hellenized" in the sense that they learned to speak Greek and adapted to the culture.

The "Hebrews" were Jews born within Israel's borders and they tended to look down upon the Hellenized Jews as being inferior to them. 

The "Hellenized" Jews murmured and complained against the Hebrews. Why? Because in meeting the daily needs of the early church (distributing of food, clothing, shelter) the Grecian Jews were overlooked and neglected. 

Possibly this was due to some prejudice by the Hebrews. When Abraham and Lot increased their families, there was a strife between their herdsmen to the point that they had to go their separate ways. 

And so it was here. There arose a secret murmuring of their hearts because certain widows needs were not met. 

Jehovah provided for the needs of widows.

Exodus 22:22-24  Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23) If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24) And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

Specifically, the Grecian Jews were upset because their widows were not receiving the proper care that the law of Moses commanded. 

Caring for widows is a high priority for God and He gave clear instruction to His people to provide that care without exception. (See also Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 15:7-8; 24:17-21).

Therefore, the Grecian Jews were on solid legal ground to lodge a protest against the Hebrew Jews. 

Would this problem become a divisive issue and disrupt the beautiful fellowship enjoyed by new believers in the early church? It was a question that needed an answer or Satan would seek to gain an advantage over the church. 

Acts 6:2  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 

The twelve apostles heard their complaint and determined that it was legitimate. They acted swiftly and decisively to fix the problem. 

First, the apostles emphasized the calling and duty God laid upon them. Their primary focus was studying, preaching, teaching and showing the church how to live by the Word of God. 

Thus, they pointed out that it was not a reasonable demand to expect the twelve to distribute daily food or clothing among the thousands of believers. 

Act 6:3-4  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4) But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

They proposed an equitable solution but we must remember that they were filled with the Holy Ghost. Thus, the Spirit of God directed them in handling this problem.

They asked the multitude of believers to "look ye out" for seven men. The Greek word translated "look ye out" means to look upon or after, to inspect, examine with the eyes in order to see how that person is doing. It includes visiting the poor, afflicted, or the sick, to look upon them in order to bring relief.

The multitude was to seek out seven men of "good report." This means looking for men who were faithful witnesses for Jesus Christ, men who gave themselves wholly unto the Lord and who were men of honesty and integrity.  

They were also to be men full of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God initially came upon the 120 disciples gathered on Pentecost and He also filled many others as people were born again. 

The love of God marked these men.

Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

How would the multitude know that the Spirit of God filled these men? A chief characteristic is that the love of God would be evident in their words and actions. 

The fruit of the Spirit was produced in these men.

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit would be manifested in how these men lived out the truth of the gospel. The idea is men who were spiritually gifted and who used their gifts to minister to others. 

They were to be men who served in newness of Spirit (Romans 7:6) and who walked after the Spirit, being led by the Spirit (Romans 8:1; 14).

The church was to select the seven men but it was the apostles who ordained and appointed them. They would give the seven deacons a solemn oath before God to faithfully minister to the physical needs within the early church. 

Apostolic commitment to pray and preaching. 

Acts 6:4  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 

The apostles reaffirmed their strong and complete commitment to praying and ministering the Word. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Hebrews murmured against Moses about bitter waters. 

Exodus 15:23-24  And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24) And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

This is the first time that we encounter murmuring in the Bible and it is in a very negative context. 

This is the point in history when God delivered the Hebrews from Egyptian bondage with overpowering miracles. If that was not enough, He divided the Red Sea so Israel could cross safely and then He drowned the Egyptians with the same waters. 

Jehovah goes before the people with signs of His visible presence. He led them with a pillar of fire by night and a column of smoke by day. 

The Hebrews followed Moses as he followed Jehovah through the arid lands. Water was vital for their survival and for keeping all their flocks and herds alive. 

God knew this because He is omniscient. He led them and tested them to see if they would exercise faith and call upon Him for help. 

They did not and began murmuring and complaining against Moses, the servant of God. 

Murmuring and complaining against the servant of God and ultimately God Himself, was a pattern of the Hebrews that God rescued. It can become a pattern in our lives when we are not careful. We ought to be thankful and grateful people each moment we live because God did everything for us in Christ.

May the Spirit of God tamp down any desire to murmur or complain against Pastors, Parents or other believers. Instead, let us ask the Lord to change our heart and make us more like Christ.

Bob