A Brief Study in Just Conflict Resolution
It’s hard for me to read this passage and not think about the classic Western
movie, The
Magnificent Seven, when a poor Mexican village, oppressed by a cruel
criminal gang seeks the help of a flawed group of gunfighters in their pursuit
of justice. While there was no cruelty or active injustice in our passage in
Acts 6, there were seven men chosen to deliver a marginalized community from an
injustice. We too are called by God to combat injustice and contend for “the
least of these” but we are not to use the weapons of this world but cooperate
with the Holy Spirit in his work of reconciliation (2 Cor.10:3-5).
Let’s look at this text together…
1) The Problem: Growing Pains (v.1)
Now in these days
when the disciples were
increasing
in number,
a complaint by the
Hellenists arose
against the
Hebrews
because their widows
were being neglected
in the daily distribution.
The context of this first major problem in
the early church is that of rapid and sustained growth. The apostles were
focused on evangelism and discipleship, but their ministry structure needed a
tune-up. They were experiencing growing pains. Both groups were Jewish, however, they didn’t really speak each other’s language. The Hebrews were Aramaic-speaking native residents of Israel, while the Hellenists were Greek-speaking
Jews from the dispersion. Apparently, there were Hellenist widows, who likely
came to Jerusalem to live out their last years. At that moment, they were not getting a fair
share of the food distributed to the poor. Likely it was not intentional,
however, we tend to pay more attention to those who are the most like us. The
language difficulties certainly would not have helped. If this issue was not
dealt with justly, and completely, it would certainly have been a stumbling
block to growth. In many communities today, there is residual passive racism
that must be dealt with if the Word of God is to spread! We may not understand each
other’s culture or speak their language, or personally know their hurts but we must come together in
one heart and soul—to listen to their concern and to act together to correct
injustice. We are all commissioned as ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:16-20).
Lessons:
- If there are problems in the church, don’t
let them linger or they will put down roots of bitterness. This is not a
justification for a critical complaining spirit, but a challenge to
respectfully bring serious concerns to those in leadership roles. John 17:22-23 says that one of our greatest apologetics for Jesus being the Christ is our being "perfectly one" and not divided along racial, cultural, and linguistic lines.
- As a corollary to this let me caution you, don’t
assume that your leaders are already aware of the problem. Often people leave their
church over an issue the pastor was unaware of. We need to be more
relational than that and actually have an honest conversation before we make
any decision to leave.
- With growth come challenges and for growth to
continue those challenges must be addressed, especially in regard to social
justice.
2) Their
Response: It’s Not Right (v.2)
And the twelve
summoned the full number
of
the disciples and said,
“It is not right
that we should
give up
preaching the word of God
to serve tables.
At first glance, this answer
might be off-putting. However, this response doesn’t deny the problem or
suggest that serving tables was beneath their dignity. It was just not their
specific mission. Instead, it was a confession of inadequacy. I. Howard Marshal
said it well.
“They
responded to the criticism which was ultimately directed against themselves by
recognizing that the combined task of teaching and poor relief was too great
for them.” (Marshall, Acts,
126)
When the church grows quickly, those
who are called to evangelism, discipleship, and prayer are often forced into more administrative roles. I love the
Apostles’ steadfastness in fulfilling their specific calling, without ignoring
the valid problem. This situation is similar to Exodus 18 when Moses was worn out by judging all the issues of all the people. His father-in-law,
Jethro, suggested that he empower qualified men to judge the majority of the mundane
cases and pass the more serious ones to Moses.
Lessons:
- A faithful ministry will require us to decide
between the best and the good.
- Leaders need to be honest when something is
beyond their ability and get help.
- It is important for us to know our God-given role.
3) Therefore… a Solution is Proposed (v.3)
Therefore, brothers,
pick out from among you
seven
men of good repute,
full
of the Spirit and
of wisdom,
whom we
will appoint
to this duty.
But we will devote ourselves
to prayer and
to the ministry of the word.”
We have seen
too many issues over the years that have been swept under the rug or dealt with
slowly and ineffectively. That was not the case in Acts 6. The apostles knew
that they were not the ones to fix the problem, but they did come up with a
pretty good plan! Let’s walk through the
process revealed here.
- “You pick”: The apostles didn’t micromanage the situation
but released the selection of those who would address the problem to those who
would be served by them.
- “From among you”: In language that is reminiscent of the
requirements for a high priest, we see the first indications of the rapid
incorporation of indigenous leadership in order to correct this oversight in
the care of the poor. They were given three criteria to use in the selection
process:
- Men of good repute,
- Full of the Spirit (for injustice is not
merely a natural problem but a spiritual issue),
- Full of wisdom (needed
for the complexity of the situation).
- What did they mean by “Full”, i.e. filled up (as opposed to
empty)… a) of hollow vessels; b) of a surface, covered in every part; c) of the
soul, thoroughly permeated with. Inside, outside, and throughout they were to
be in obedience to, in relationship with, and empowered by the Holy Spirit! This was the important thing, upon which their
works and words were based. Note that they weren’t chosen on the basis of wealth
and power, and neither is there any indication that these men were campaigning for this position.
- “Seven men”: The apostles called for a full team to face
the challenge. It was a Jewish custom to appoint seven men to deal with various
issues in the community. This was no halfway symbolic appeasement, but a powerful
statement of their total commitment to correct this social injustice.
- “We will appoint”: After
the people chose the seven men, then the apostles would put them in charge of making it right. Authority and responsibility go together. Responsibility without
authority only brings frustration. This was no token panel but in today’s
language a fully-funded, fully-staffed task force. In addition, the text gives
no indication that they were commissioned as “deacons.” Ironically, “ministry”
(diakonia) the word from which we get “deacon” is only used here of the
Apostles, not of the seven. This assignment was not necessarily a permanent
one but seems to have been tied to the problem at hand. Later, all these men moved on
to other places and roles of kingdom service.
- We will “stay on target” (be
devoted) with “the Word and Prayer.” The verb translated as "devoted"
(proskartereo) is commonly used for a steadfast and single-minded faithfulness
to a certain course of action. We understand the necessity of teaching the Word
to a vast group of new believers, but why was prayer so important? Peterson
comments,
Prayer was a necessary
accompaniment because it expresses dependence on the Lord, to give boldness in
speaking the word, to protect its agents, and to provide opportunities for the
word to be heard and believed (cf.
4:24-31; 12:5-17; 13:1-3; 20:28-36; Col. 4:2-4; 2 Thess. 3:1-2). [Peterson, Acts of the Apostles, 234]
4) An Enthusiastic Response &
Results (v.5)
And
what they said
pleased the whole gathering,
and
they chose Stephen,
a man full of
faith and
of the Holy Spirit,
and Philip,
and Prochorus,
and Nicanor,
and Timon,
and Parmenas,
and
Nicolaus,
a proselyte of
Antioch.
This was the “Roll call” or “casting list” of
those selected to correct the problem of food distribution to the Hellenist widows.
Stephen was given first place as being especially noted as “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” and we
will read more of Stephen’s ministry and early death in the rest of chapters 6-7.
Philip was mentioned second as chapter 8 tells of his supernaturally evangelistic
missions after persecution breaks out. The following is a full list of the magnificently
“Spirit-Filled Seven” compiled from
various sources based on early writings and traditions of the church. Some specifics are disputed, but
overall we can discern a pattern.
- Stephen died in Ch. 7 as the first martyr of the faith.
- Philip tirelessly preached the Word of God in many of the lands of the Near
East adjoining Palestine. At Jerusalem, the Apostles made him a bishop and
sent him to Tralles in Asia Minor, where he also baptized many. St. Philip died
in old age.
- Prochorus at first accompanied Peter who later appointed him as bishop in the city of Nicomedia…after
the death of Mary, he was a companion
and coworker of the Apostle John and was banished to the island of Patmos
together with him. Upon returning to Nicomedia, Prochorus converted pagans
to Christ in the city of Antioch and there he was martyred.
- Nicanor is believed to have been martyred in 76 ad, however, others believe that he died earlier when
Stephen died, in the persecution of Saul.
- Timon was later appointed by the Apostles as bishop of the city
of Bostra in Arabia and suffered at the hands of both Jews and pagans for preaching
the Gospel. He reportedly was thrown into a furnace, but by the power
of God, he came out of it unharmed. The tradition of the Roman Church
says that St. Timon eventually died by crucifixion.
- Parmenas, After preaching for many years in Asia Minor, settled down in
Macedonia. Hippolytus says that Parmenas was the Bishop of Soli. He is
thought to have died a martyr in Philippi, Macedonia, in the year 98 ad, during the persecution of the
Christians under Emperor Trajan.
- Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. Became the bishop of Samaria. he is
the one who may not have finished well as several of the early church fathers, including Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Epiphanius, and Theodoret mentioned
the “Nicolaitans” (condemned in the Book of Revelation) and stated that
the deacon Nicolaus was the author of the heresy and the sect.
Hippolytus would include these seven men
in his list of 70 apostles. Certainly, “Their
experience doing humble service to the poor and helpless ‘prepared them for
more prominent roles as ministers of the word.’” [Peterson, 235]
My former pastor was in the habit of allowing young pastors to be
prepared for ministry (after finishing Bible training) by serving as custodians or doing other menial tasks. It
is also reported that the founder of our denomination was known to strategically plant
gum wrappers on the Bible College campus to see whether students would pick them
up or just walk by. She said, “Someone who is above picking up litter is not
fit for the ministry.” So on that note, if we see litter around here, let’s pick
it up!
5) Commissioned in Prayer to the Task at Hand (v.6)
These they set before the apostles,
and they prayed and
laid their
hands on them.
They not only chose the seven men but brought them before the apostles clearly communicating that we have done what you asked, now the ball is in
your court. This commissioning is often seen as being done by the apostles, but
it seems that the actual text suggests that the whole community of disciples
prayed and laid hands on them in a show of community solidarity.
As I was preparing to speak on this I considered the two primary reasons
for the laying on of hands in the Old Testament. The first reason was to confer a blessing
for a purpose. The second thing I thought of was surprising. The congregation of Israel would lay
hands on their sacrifice in a confession of their sins. It is likely that here at this community
commissioning, they were not only blessing and empowering the "Spirit-filled Seven" but also confessing their collective failure in just distribution of food and
their inability to correct it without the Spirit-filled help of these chosen men.
Lessons:
- Ministry (and leadership) should be Spirit-motivated, not man-manipulated.
- Leaders need to confess
their inadequacy to meet every need and empower others for the good of the
entire community.
6) The Results of a Problem
Righteously Resolved (v.7)
And the word of God continued to
increase,
and the number of the disciples
multiplied greatly in
Jerusalem,
and a great many of
the priests
became
obedient to the faith.
As a result of the people and
their leaders working together in love, the problem was resolved. Animosity and
bitterness were given no place in the church. The community lived out the
counter-cultural values that they said they believed in.
“At three points in the
narrative, he writes about the word of God growing and multiplying (6:7; 12:24;
19:20). Each reference climaxes with a section recording the resolution of some
conflict or the cessation of opposition and persecution.” [Peterson, 229]
Don’t miss the part about “a great many of the priests” getting saved and becoming “obedient to the
faith.” Weren’t the priests the main persecutors of the church at that time? Yes.
Weren’t they Sadducees? Yes, they were the ones who didn’t believe in miracles,
angels, the resurrection, etc. However, they were seeing the supernatural, and miraculous, in a growing community of the resurrection lived out before them in love and
justice. How could they not be persuaded? Such a decision would have cost the priest
their livelihood, so they would have needed a strong support system for their transition.
Lessons:
- Their unity and power in the Spirit increased
their witness.
- A just and loving witness can melt even the
most "unsavable" hearts.
7) Back to an Amazing Witness
(v.8)
And Stephen,
full of grace and power,
was
doing great wonders and signs
among the people.
Once this distribution problem was solved, the text makes it clear that it was back
to business. Stephen distributed the food justly, but he was not just a food
server. He was “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (v.5), and “full of grace
and power” (v.8) Those whom he debated, the Hellenist “Freedmen” turned out to
be both sore losers and liars. They couldn’t withstand Stephen’s wisdom and the
Spirit with which he was speaking. However, that story is for another week.
Let
me conclude with another quote from Peterson,
“The gospel is shown to prosper
in spite of, and even because of, struggle and suffering. Most importantly,
however, the present context suggests that, if decisive action had not been
taken to deal with the social issue disturbing the church, ‘growth’ of the word
may not have continued.” (Peterson,
229)
