Bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination make an unwelcomed appearance in the earlier church. It happened right in the middle of miracles, signs and wonders, and multitudes coming to Christ: “a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution” (Acts 6:1).
Had I been in charge that day, I would have preached on the evils of bigotry, then recruited volunteers to collect day-old bread from local bakeries and appointed a few administratively gifted people to ensure the food gets distributed fairly. I am glad I was not there. I would have made a mess of things.
The issue wasn’t food distribution. The issue was overcoming an obstacle to the Gospel’s advancement. Rather than address their prejudice, the Apostles engaged in serving as the means of dominion. They practiced “overcoming evil with good.”
The Hellenists and the Hebrews had to select from among themselves “seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (v. 3). These men had to be Spirit-filled, wise, and trusted because their service would address deep-seated issues of prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination.
In caring for those on the edge of survival you often face the darkest parts of your humanity and the overwhelming lack of material resources. No wonder these men needed to be “of good repute, and full of the Spirit and wisdom.”
Kingdom expansion was immediate; “the Word of God continued to increase… the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith” (v. 7).
I ask myself:
· “What crisis am I facing that is really a “Holy Spirit opportunity” disguised in human brokenness?”
· “Am I making room for the miraculous in the daily demands of ministry?”
· “What lifestyle disciplines do I need to cultivate that will result in me being full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, grace, and power?”
· “Are there any long-term, latent issues in my heart that hinder kingdom expansion?”
Acts 6 powerfully illustrates there is always more going on than what I see: Undercurrents, agendas, and human frailty mingling in with the goodness and blessings of God. Like the disciples, we need men and women “of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” who can help us face our issues and move forward. Jesus, help me to be one of them.
Debbie and I serve as the FMI Global Associate Director for MENACA and Europe. We focus on cultivating disciples, leaders, and church planting movements.
