Text: Acts 6:1-7
Why the Widows?
- Earlier the poor in general were helped (Acts 4:32-35) — here the widows specifically were served (Acts 6:1), implying ongoing care that was provided them
- The church was to provide ongoing care & support to certain widows (1 Timothy 5:3,9-10)
- Why not other widows? … They had others to care for them (1 Timothy 5:4,16) — goes back to the responsibility to provide for one’s family (1 Timothy 5:8)
- The church can provide temporary help for Christians (Acts 4:32) — ongoing benevolence is more limited
The Complaint was Addressed
- There was a real problem that needed to be dealt with
- The complaint was not ignored
- The complaint was not met with resistance
- The complaint was not made into a bigger problem
Character of the Servants
- The congregation was to select seven men (Acts 6:3) — but not just anyone; they were given a few qualifications
- Good reputation
- Full of the Spirit
- Full of wisdom
- This is a reminder of the need to carefully consider who we might select to perform a task on behalf of the congregation — caring for the needy, teaching a class, handling the treasury, anything involving dealings with others, etc.
Why the Apostles Were Not to Do This
- Not desirable for them to neglect the word to serve tables (Acts 6:2)
- They had a particular role — prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4)
- We don’t have apostles today — no one is qualified (Acts 1:21-22) — but the work of an apostle does share some similarities with other works — elders & preachers
- Elders are to focus on watching out for the spiritual well-being of the flock (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17)
- Preachers are to focus on preaching & teaching the word (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Timothy 4:16)
- If there are others to attend to these physical matters, let them take care of them
Result: Growth
- Once this matter was resolved, there was harmony within the congregation and the apostles were able to focus on preaching & teaching — What was the result?
- The word of God kept spreading — the apostles weren’t pulled away from their work to serve tables
- The number of disciples continued to increase — result of more people hearing
- Even a great many priests were obeying the gospel — shows the effectiveness of the gospel and the work of the apostles
