The First Church Dispute (Acts 6: 1-7)

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Welcome:

In this episode, we delve into "The First Church Dispute," exploring Acts 6:1-7. This passage provides timeless lessons on conflict resolution and church leadership, which are incredibly relevant to our lives today. Join us as we uncover the wisdom in handling disputes and maintaining unity within the church community.

Episode Notes:

Episode Title: The First Church Dispute
Scripture Reference: Acts 6:1-7

Summary: In this episode, we examine the first recorded dispute in the early church as described in Acts 6:1-7. This conflict arose between the Hellenistic and Hebrew Christians over the neglect of their widows in the daily food distribution. The apostles' solution—appointing seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom—provides a valuable model for addressing and resolving disputes within the church.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Understanding the Conflict: The cultural and linguistic divide between the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) and the Hebrews (Aramaic-speaking Jews) led to tensions and complaints.
2. The Apostles' Response: The apostles prioritized prayer and ministry of the word, delegating the practical task of food distribution to qualified individuals.
3. Community Involvement: The congregation played a crucial role in selecting the seven men, fostering unity and shared responsibility.
4. Qualities of Leadership: The chosen men were required to have a good reputation, be full of the Holy Spirit, and possess wisdom—traits essential for effective church leadership.
5. Outcome: By addressing the issue wisely, the early church continued to grow, and the word of God spread, with many new disciples joining the faith.

Lessons for Today:

• Prioritize Spiritual Leadership: Pastors and church leaders should focus on teaching and prayer, ensuring they are not overburdened with practical tasks.
• Embrace Delegation: Involving capable members in various ministries can help address practical needs while maintaining the primary mission of the church.
• Foster Community Engagement: Encouraging congregation participation in decision-making can strengthen unity and collective responsibility.
• Seek Qualified Leaders: Effective church leadership requires individuals with integrity, spiritual maturity, and practical wisdom.

Reflection Questions:

1. How can we apply the principles of delegation and community involvement in our own church or ministry?
2. What steps can we take to ensure that conflicts are resolved in a way that promotes unity and growth?
3. How can we support our church leaders

Transcript

The First Church Dispute.   (Acts 6: 1-7)

 Transcript. 

What follows is a more familiar situation than you at first might imagine. 

A church in America, became embroiled in a disagreement that escalated into a major dispute, ultimately splitting the congregation. Each faction sued the other for control of the property. 

The case went to court, but the judge declared he had no jurisdiction and sent it to the denomination's church court. The church court ruled in favour of one side, and the other faction went on to form a new church.

What’s striking is how the conflict began: during a church luncheon, one elder felt he was served a smaller piece of ham than the boy next to him. This trivial incident escalated until it split the church. It might sound far-fetched, but it’s a true story. This stories highlight a sad truth: church disagreements and divisions are common and can start from the moat minor issues.

I fact I read an article once quoting research that the most common reason for a church splitting was style of worship with theology only barely making it into the top ten reasons.

Disagreements in reality often begin with something small—someone feels unappreciated or neglected. I once attended a church where a woman thought she was snubbed, which wasn’t true, but it caused major issues. 

Sometimes just a perceived critical glance, a forgotten names, social gaffs, or imagined offenses can ignite bitter dissension, spreading and on some occasion even causing destruction. 

We might think that in the early church, they didn’t have such problems. 

But the early church had disputes too. What can we learn from them? How can we prevent disputes before they start? Acts chapter 6 provides insight into the first church dispute and offers valuable lessons and that is what I want us to look at today in the BPDP

Turn with me to Acts 6:1-7:

“Now in those days, when the number of disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

(Acts 6: 1-7)

This passage describes the first church dispute and how it was resolved. 

So, first, let’s look at the problem. Verse 1 starts by saying, “Now in those days, when the number of disciples was multiplying…” 

What days? 

The previous chapter says, “Daily in the temple and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” During this time of freedom to teach, the number of disciples was growing.

Verse 1 here also mentions a complaint by the Hellenists against the Hebrews. The Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews, while the Hebrews were Aramaic-speaking Jews. The Greek speaking members of the early church felt their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. This cultural and linguistic divide caused tension.

The apostles responded by proposing a solution: they asked the congregation to choose seven respectable and reputable men described as “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom”, to oversee the distribution. 

This then allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and ministry. The congregation approved, and they chose seven men, including Stephen and Philip. The apostles prayed and laid hands on them, appointing them to the task.

The result? The word of God spread, the number of disciples multiplied, and many priests became obedient to the faith. 

So this story teaches us how to handle disputes: To summarise, address the problem directly, involve the community in the solution, and appoint qualified individuals to handle practical matters, allowing spiritual leaders to focus on their primary mission.

Both the Hebrews and the Greek speaking individuals in this passage were Jewish Christians, but with key differences. The Hebrews were likely natives of Jerusalem who retained the Hebrew language. The Hellenists were Jews influenced by Greek language and culture, often having moved back to Jerusalem. They spoke Greek, creating an inherent faction in this dispute.

This situation is reminiscent of congregations where immigrants speak their native language, and their children grow up speaking English. Such cultural and linguistic divides can lead to conflicts, as seen here. 

The dispute in Acts 6 is legitimate, but it’s important to understand that church complaints are common. While some complaints are valid, many are not.

This complaint was legitimate. The Hellenists felt their widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food. There was no Social Security in those days and a widow’s livelihood depended on her family or the church. 

The church took care of widows without families, as instructed in 1 Timothy 5. The early church created a common fund to support each other, making it crucial to address neglect.

Verse 1 suggests that the Hebrew Christians oversaw the distribution, and although not intentional, Hellenist widows were apparently being overlooked. This wasn’t necessary deliberate neglect but an inadvertent oversight had definitely occurred.

A second complaint is implied in verse 2, where the apostles state it’s not desirable for them to leave the word of God to serve tables. 

This suggests some thought the apostles were neglecting practical duties, questioning if they considered it beneath them. 

To solve the problem, the apostles proposed a solution in verse 2. They summoned the disciples and said it wasn’t appropriate for them to neglect the word of God to serve tables. Instead, they proposed selecting seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to oversee the distribution.

This solution was practical, delegating the responsibility to capable individuals, ensuring the apostles could focus on their primary mission of prayer and ministry.

By involving the community in selecting these men, the apostles ensured a fair and effective resolution, addressing both the practical need and the underlying complaint. This approach highlights the importance of wise leadership and community involvement in resolving church disputes. 

In Acts 6:2, the apostles make a clear decision: they will not be the called to do things like, "wait on tables." This decision is often misunderstood as demeaning the act of serving food. However, it’s not about the task being inferior but about it being an obstacle to their primary mission. The apostles weren't saying waiting on tables was beneath them; rather, it wasn’t what they were called to do. Their primary duty was to focus on teaching the word of God.

So, the apostles proposed that seven men be chosen to handle the distribution of food to the widows. These men needed specific qualifications: good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom. 

Having a good reputation was crucial, especially if they were handling fair distribution of money and food in an already controversial manner. 

Being full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom isn’t about a single event or experience here but a lifestyle marked by spiritual mindedness and godly wisdom theby qualifying them for the task at hand.

These men needed to have the skill to navigate the delicate situation and manage complaints effectively. People skills were essential for this role, ensuring the task was handled with grace and efficiency.

This delegation was crucial. It ensured the widows were cared for while allowing the apostles to focus on their primary responsibility: prayer and the ministry of the word. This division of labour is a lesson for modern churches as well.

As a pastor, the primary role is to teach the word of God. The example of the apostles serves as a reminder of the importance of dedicating time to study and teaching. A Bible teacher needs to spending thousands of hours studying God's word to teach it effectively. Hours and hours invested every week to create sermons and bible studies.

This commitment to study and teach the scripture is essential. It's a calling that requires sacrifice and dedication. The path is demanding, but making the study of Giod word their main priority is the only way to faithfully fulfil their role of a pastor-teacher. 

If a pastor is truly following the scriptural mandate, their role demands significant time and dedication to study. This means prioritizing study over other activities that could interfere.

A minister will face constant pressure and an expectation to juggle multiple roles within their ministry. Yet, effective ministry, particularly the study of Scripture, requires substantial time and effort. The hours required to study the Bible thoroughly might not be recognised by some but it's necessary to do the job well.

The apostles in Acts understood this clearly. In Acts 6:2, they refused to be distracted from their primary mission of teaching and prayer, suggesting others handle the daily distribution to the widows. 

They proposed the solution of selecting seven men with specific qualifications: a good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom. 

This division of labor remains a vital lesson for modern churches.

In Acts 6:5, the apostles' proposal pleased the congregation. They chose seven men, all with Greek names, likely addressing the Greek-speaking Jews' complaints. Stephen, described as full of faith and the Holy Spirit, stands out among them. His prominence continues in the following chapters as the first martyr and a significant figure in the early church.

The apostles laid hands on these men, a symbolic gesture of setting them apart for their task. This practice became known later in church history as ordination, setting apart individuals for specific ministry roles. 

Ultimately, this delegation led to a significant outcome. Acts 6:7 notes, "the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly." 

By addressing practical needs through capable leaders, the apostles ensured the continued growth and health of the early church, emphasizing the importance of focused, dedicated ministry. 

Initially, in the early church the apostles focused on teaching the Scripture, leading to people coming to Christ and growing in their faith. However, a dispute arose and if this complaint had been left unresolved, it could have caused division and harm to the early church.

The apostles' solution was both practical and wise. They allowed the complaining group to select seven men to handle the issue, ensuring the problem was addressed by those directly affected. This approach not only resolved the complaint but also maintained unity within the church. As a result, the apostles could continue their primary mission of teaching the word of God.

The congregation’s involvement in solving the problem fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility among the believers, contributing to the growth and health of the church.

The outcome of this wise handling of the dispute was indeed significant: "The word of God spread; the number of disciples multiplied greatly." 

To sum up, the early church effectively managed its first internal conflict by involving the community in the solution, allowing the apostles to focus on their primary task of prayer and ministry of the word. 

And I believe even today this passage illustrates key principles for church leadership and organization:

Firstly, Pastors Should Focus on Prayer and Teaching: Acts 6:4 emphasizes that the apostles dedicated themselves to prayer and teaching the word. 

This also aligns with Ephesians 4:11-12, where Paul outlines various ministry gifts, including pastors and teachers, indicating their primary role is to equip the saints for the work of ministry.

A pastor should prioritize teaching the word of God over other responsibilities, ensuring the spiritual growth of the congregation.

Arising out of that primary principal comes the reality that believers Should be learners: The multiplication of disciples in Acts 6 implies that believers are to be learners. This involves more than acquiring theological knowledge; it includes practical application of faith, wisdom, and spiritual mindedness. 

Believers should strive to embody the qualities described here, being people, full of faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit, with a good reputation.

Secondly principal for effect church growth is delegation and involvement of congregation: The apostles' decision to delegate the task of daily distribution to capable individuals allowed them to maintain their focus on prayer and teaching. This delegation also empowered the congregation, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. Leaders should involve church members in various ministries, ensuring that the work is shared, and thereby everyone’s gifts can be utilized and valued.

Let's consider a practical application of these principles. Imagine a scenario where your church needs to select new leaders. The qualifications would be like those in Acts 6:3. People full of faith, wisdom, the Holy Spirit, and possessing a good reputation. 

This passage challenges us to self-examine and aspire to these standards, ensuring that our lives reflect the character and commitment required for church leadership, but also even for church membership.

In conclusion, Acts 6 teaches us valuable lessons about leadership, as well as some helpful insights into conflict resolution, and community involvement. 

Pastors should prioritize teaching and prayer, believers should be committed learners, and churches should practice wise delegation and inclusive problem-solving. 

By following to these principles, the early church not only resolved a potentially damaging dispute but also continued to grow and spread the word of God effectively.

One more thing: Yes, pastors ought to be teachers, believers ought to be learners, and disciples ought to be servants. 

However as the number of disciples grew, so did the needs of the community. To meet these needs, the early church chose from among the growing disciples those who could serve effectively in different. Ultimately, God's goal for all of us is to become like Jesus Christ. We can all agree on this point. 

But what was Jesus like? Answer, He was a servant.

In John 13, on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus demonstrated His love by washing the feet of His disciples. The text says, "He loved them to the uttermost," meaning He loved them completely. 

He demonstrated this complete love by serving them. Therefore, becoming like Christ means becoming a loving person, and part of being a loving person is serving others.

It's important to note that you can serve without growing spiritually. 

This is why I emphasize the order: pastors are teachers, believers are learners, and learners are servants. Don't get the order backward. 

While you should be doing both—learning and serving—you should ensure that your service flows from your growth in the knowledge of the Lord. Serving without spiritual growth will lead to burnout and a lack of a sense of fulfilment.

So, let me ask you: What are you doing to serve the Lord? 

Service should be an integral part of your growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

That is your purpose in life.

I don’t believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all, to matter, to count, and to stand for something, to have made some difference in how you have lived your life. Isn't that rich? 

Let me repeat that: the purpose of life is not just to be happy, but to be useful, responsible, compassionate—to matter and to make a difference to others.

As we wrap up this study today lets try and remember these three points: pastors should focus on teaching, believers should be eager to learn, and disciples should be dedicated to serving. 

This, my friends  is the biblical model for a healthy, growing church. Let us strive to fulfil these roles in our own lives and communities.