Saturday 07 May 2011
- Bible Book:
- Acts
"The word of God continued to spread: the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem" (v. 7)
Background
Luke (the author of Acts as well as the Gospel that bears hisname) turns away from the conflict between the Sanhedrin and theApostles to introduce two groups within the Jerusalem church. Theywere the 'Grecian' Jews (Greek, Hellenistai, or Hellenists) and'Hebraic' Jews. We may be surprised that subgroups exist within thefirst church but they did. To try and explain it simply, theHellenistic Jews in the church probably attended Greek-speakingsynagogues before they became Christians, and the HebraicChristians attended synagogues in which Aramaic was used. Thisillustrates how the gospel (good news) is all embracing.
It was an exciting time in the history of the Church but the growthin numbers brought with it a problem - there was a complaint! TheHellenistic widows of the Jerusalem church said they were "beingneglected in the daily distribution of food" (v. 1). The welfare ofwidows in that culture was highly important: the Scriptures show adeep concern in God's heart for them (see
The solution is interesting as the 12 did not impose something butgathered all the disciples together in order to share the problem.They didn't want to be distracted from their primary task "in orderto wait on tables" (v. 2) and there is no hint that social work isinferior to pastoral work or beneath their dignity: it was aquestion of calling. So they delegate the social welfare to sevenmen in the church (vv. 5-6).
There is a vital principal shown in this incident and it is asimportant for us Christians today as it was then. It is that Godcalls all people to ministry - God calls different people todifferent ministries but we can all be used, if we make ourselvesavailable.
To Ponder
On reflection, what do you feel God is callingyou to?
Traditionally this is seen as the origin ofdiaconal ministry - a ministry of witness and service. What do youknow about diaconal ministry. (