Setting the House in Order

“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.”

Acts 6:1-6

In the first six verse of Acts chapter six we are told that the growing church had a potential divisive issue surrounding the distribution of food to Grecian and Hebrew widows. The Apostles wisely chose others who could administrate and serve in this area so that they were not drawn away from their proper role in the young church. As Apostles they were not called to do it all. Perhaps there were some who wanted the Apostles to these things just as there were some who wanted Moses to make all the decisions and

judgments for the Israelites during the Exodus.  

It was an unreasonable situation then and would be for the new church as well.

But those tasks were not the order or role God had purposed for them.

Instead, they chose, prayed and laid hands on seven who were commissioned to the work. This resolved the problem without allowing it to bring division or to pull the Apostles away from their essential tasks and purposes.

God has a role for each of us to play.

When we fulfill that role it allows others to walk in their calling without covering work left undone by others.

Are you fulfilling the role God has called you too?

Oh, by the way, look at what followed when their house was set in order...

“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

Acts 6:7