Expansion

A true need must turn to true actions. In other words, who is going to take care of this need? That¡¦s where the Apostles are made aware of this need and determine the next step (read v. 2). The next step was evaluation.

True needs help us evaluate what we are doing and determine if there is anything we need to stop doing and attend to this true need? It also affirms what we are doing and we continue on with our role. Such is the case with the apostles. They realized their primary role is not to neglect the word of God in order to serve the widows in this capacity.

Now, when I first read this, I had a similar reaction as some of you may be having¡K I thought, surely these guys can stop for a moment and help these widows. Are they too important to do such a task now?

Then, I re- read the verse and realized God made the priorities for the apostles (John 15), and this true need would have to be met by others¡K So, the Apostles declare they cannot ¡§neglect,¡¨ literally, to no longer not care about the preaching of the word of God.¡¨ They could not afford to become lethargic towards God¡¦s Word to serve this true need.

Now wait a minute that sounds like elitism, Paul? Well, let¡¦s think about that? Are there not things you do at your home that no one else does? What about your work? Are there things you and only you are responsible for? The main and sole role of the apostles was prayer and the word of God.

Let me take some time to apply some thoughts here for us.

„« The leaders are not to meet every need within the church

„« A need, even a true need, does not designate a call. A true need, however, is an invitation for someone else to begin serving others.

So, we see out of true needs, God not only makes the priorities, but expands the ministries. How does he expand them? That¡¦s our next point in our application¡K

BY ALLOWING GOD TO MAKE THE PRIORITIES¡K

2A. NEW MINISTRIES WILL BEGIN OUT OF LEADERSHIP MULTIPLICATION (6:3-6)

They multiplied the ministry by placing an oweness upon the congregation to find 7 men. Why seven? I am not sure and there is much speculation about this, but more than likely, it was to ensure proper care for the widows.

When you figure the size of the church was close to 20,000 people at this time and only 12 Apostles leading this. Surely 7 additional men to help lead this would be minimal. But that¡¦s the number Luke records for us.

There is something interestingly unique about all seven of these men. There names are all Greek, indicating the church saw the weakness and the true need to have men from that culture to meet the true need of these widows. While we do have further records of Stephen and Philip, we do not have any record of the other five.

Now, some may argue these seven men are the first deacons. While it can be argued they are doing the work of a deacon, the noun form ¡§deacon¡¨ is never used here. Moreover, after Stephen is martyred, one would think they would have replaced him as they did with Judas as an apostle, but no such thing is done. In addition, while these men handle physical needs as deacons, they are also shown sharing the gospel or should I say, preaching the gospel. Stephen does so in front of his would be murderers in Acts 7, and Philip preaches the gospel to an Ethiopian Eunich in Acts 8.