Acts 6 - Leadership and Followship

The opening seven verses of Acts 6 are amazing. If you read through it quickly, and without a bit of intrigue and curiosity, you just might miss it. Why do I say that? Well, because I did just that many times just getting through my morning readings. But today, whoa, some cool stuff stood out to me. Let’s jump in and see what is going on. 

“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.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭6:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

So what do we have here? First, we read that the disciples, the Jesus movement was rapidly growing. In earlier chapters we read 3000 were added then it grew to over 5000, and now we are looking a probably double if not more than that. This movement was real and rapidly expanding. What we know is anything that has people involved with bring problems. 

Luke describes this situation as complaints from the Hellenists about the Hebrews. So what does this mean? Well, a great commentary put it this way.

The Hebrews were those Jews more inclined to embrace Jewish culture and were mostly from Judea. The Hellenists were those Jews more inclined to embrace Greek culture and mostly were from the Diaspora(from all over the Roman Empire).

i. To oversimplify, Hebrews tended to regard Hellenists as unspiritual compromisers with Greek culture, and Hellenists regarded Hebrews as holier-than-thou traditionalists. There was already a natural suspicion between the two groups, and Satan tried to take advantage of that standing suspicion.

ii. It’s important to remember that though the titles Hebrews and Hellenists are used, these were Christians, followers of Jesus. They were all from a Jewish background, but they had all embraced Jesus as their Messiah.

So, these are all Jesus following believers, that just came from different cultures and backgrounds. But do not miss this, these we all Christ-followers. Here is a key point we need to recognize. Up, and to this point, the Jesus moment was challenged, confronted, and Satan had worked many different ways to disrupt and stop this moment, and all were unsuccessful. Here, Satan introduced a wicked scheme, and scheme that He uses very successfully still today. Attack at the point of unity, divide the Christians internally. 

In today's language, we would actually call this racism. One group looking at another group, and because of their background, culture, and race, they were mistreated. The Hellenists were being neglected in their daily distribution of bread. The Hebrews, when handing out food, would just pass right on by the Hellenists and neglect them. So what did the leaders do, how did they address this and handle this issue?

“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. 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.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭6:2-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The twelve leaders looked at the situation and quickly discerned a few things it seems. Yes, this was a significant issue, there is not room for racism, division, and disunity in the body, but they didn’t jump in the middle of it. This is interesting, and another key point. The twelve were explicitly called by God to do a specific task and role, and solving this problem would pull them away from what God and called them to do. As leaders, we have to see this and make sure we follow suit. There is a significant problem; it must be addressed, it’s our responsibility to get it resolved, but it does not mean that we are the ones that need to step in the middle of it and solve it. The twelve surveyed the situation and rallied the troops and delegated responsibility and authority to seven men with good reputations who were full of the Spirit and wisdom. 

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 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. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭6:4-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The twelve leaders stayed focused on their calling, prayer, and preaching, and the seven were blessed and empowered to deal with the situation. The leaders laid hands on them, prayed for them, and released them to bring unity back to the body of believers. 

Here is another key point that is so powerful. If you see what is happening here, this task and critical mission of bringing unity on the surface looks like being a food server. They were serving bread. They found seven qualified men, men who were full of faith, filled with the Spirit, and we will learn more about Stephen in the coming reading and chapters...and this dude is legit. Stephen accepted a role and food server. Don’t miss this; on the surface, what might look like being a food server is actually a mission for God to restore unity and lead the body back to health. Often times, a significant call from God is hidden behind the basics of serving others. Don’t let pride get in the way of God being able to work wonders. Check out the results.

“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.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭6:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The results Luke wrote were significant. God continues to increase the numbers, and many Jewish priests chose to follow Jesus as well. Exceptional leadership and great followship. 

Lord, give us the wisdom to lead well and to have the eyes to see and the wisdom we need to lead in a way that honors and glorifies you. May we understand our calling and stay focused on what you have called us to do, and at the same time, bring others along and lead them in a way that is empowering and responsible. Father, may we also recognize that humble followship is needed. Lord, that a great mission and calling from you can be masked and hidden inside a simple task of serving. May we not miss that today! Amen.