A GROWING CHURCH WITH GROWING PAINS
(Part 3)
Acts 6:1-7
(Antioch Baptist Church: Wednesday, January 21st, 2026)
I have a close friend who owns a small business; over the last few years his company has grown from a dream to a very successful operation. However, he would tell you that there is potential for even more growth and greater profit. Unfortounately, he has a difficult time finding people who are willing to work and often those who are willing are not qualified for the positions that he is trying to fill.
This is similar to an issue that plagues many churches in America today. There is no shortage of work that needs to be done, but often there is a shortage of people who are willing to serve. As a result certain jobs go undone and at times certain people go unreached.
This problem is not a new one; in fact it is an issue that is as old as the church itself. During His earthly ministry, Jesus said "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38). Today, there are still very few laborers and the “harvest is truly plentiful”.
Throughout our study of the Book of Acts, we have seen the rapid and miraculous growth of the Church. Verse one says, “in those days, the number of the disciples was multiplying”. It is estimated that the total number of Believers at this point in time was somewhere around twenty thousand people.
As a result of this rapid growth the Hellenists confronted the Apostles because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food and other necessities. In response, the Apostles called the whole assembly of believers together and presented their solution for this problem. They instructed the Brethren to select seven men whom they could appoint over the business of ministering to the widows; in turn, the Apostles would devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
In recent weeks we have been examining “A Growing Church With Growing Pains”. I would like to conclude this portion of our study by considering how the Apostles addressed these “growing pains”.
Thus far in this study we have seen that We Should Expect Growing Pains Within The Church and that We Must Address Growing Pains Within The Church. We have also spent considerable time covering the reality that when growing pains are not addressed, problems are inevitable. When we ignore troubles in the church: Christians Will Be Hurt, Lost People Will Go Unreached, and Christ Will Be Dishonored. These are very serious consequences, therefore we must ensure that when growing pains arise we must address them. With that being said, it is extremely important for us to address growing pains in the proper manner.
- This passage shows us how to address problems God’s way. First of all:
GROWING PAINS MUST BE ADDRESSED PROMPTLY
Verse 2 says, “the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples…” If the Apostles had not addressed this issue, it would have likely led to other problems that would have spread throughout the church. As soon as this issue was brought to their attention, the Apostles were moved to action. Likewise, when any kind of conflict arises in the church today we cannot ignore it; we must address it promptly.
- It is also important for us to know that:
GROWING PAINS MUST BE ADDRESSED COMPASSIONATELY
The Apostles responded to the complaint of the Hellenists with humility and compassion. They realized that there was a legitimate concern and an important need among a certain segment of the assembly. As a result they sought to implement a solution that would address this problem.
When one (or more) of our brothers or sisters has been offended or has a complaint about the current state of the church, it is important to listen to them. Moreover, we must possess compassion, concern, and a desire to address those issues. Like Jesus, we should see lost people as “sheep without a shepherd”; when we do, we will be prompted to minister to them. This is an important ministry; however, we must not neglect our responsibility to serve our brothers and sisters within the Church.
One of the glorious benefits of being part of a church family is that we have the privilege to learn, grow, and serve together. When someone in the church is hurting, we must remember that they are more than just another member of a common organization, that person is our brother or sister in Christ; as such, we should have compassion on them.
As fellow members of the Body of Christ, we must remember that when one member suffers, the entire body suffers. When one of our Brethren is hurting, we should hurt for them. Furthermore, we should have a desire to do all is within our power to ease their pain.
- When growing pains arise we should respond with compassion. Intertwined with this reality is the fact that:
WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE IN THE CHURCH THEY MUST BE ADDRESSED COLLECTIVELY
When confronted by the Hellenists, the Apostles called the entire multitude together. Following the leadership of the Apostles, the church collectively put processes in place to ensure that everyone was ministered to accordingly. Those early Christians show us that an assembly of Believers must join together in unison and serve one another in an effort to address growing pains and to prevent further difficulty.
We should respond promptly, compassionately, and collectively when there are growing pains within the church. However, there are two more ways that we must respond when problems arise in the church and they are most important. I am referring to the fact that we should respond scripturally and prayerfully. Let’s examine the fact that:
WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE IN THE CHURCH THEY MUST BE ADDRESSED SCRIPTURALLY
Whenever we are confronted with a problem in the church, God’s Word tells us all that we need to know about how to handle it. One such example is found in our selected text. When the Hellenists brought their complaint to the attention of the Apostles, they called the entire assembly together and entrusted them with the responsibility of selecting the men who would serve the Church. They did, however, give certain guidelines and qualifications for those who were to be considered for this position.
It was important that these men were “men of good reputation”, men who were “filled with the Holy Spirit” and men who possessed “wisdom”. It was important to select men who were in close communion with God, who sought to know and do His will, and their lives must bear the fruit of the faith that they professed. Men of good reputation who are filled with the Spirit and wisdom are men who can be trusted with responsibility and authority.
If you have ever attended a Deacon ordination service, this passage was likely one of the texts that was used when the “charge” was preached. You have also likely heard Stephen referred to as “The Deacon Stephen”. Interestingly, the noun “deacon” is not used to describe this specific office here in Acts 6 (or anywhere else in the book for that matter). However, the verb diakoneo, is used in verse 2. This is a word that means “to serve, help, or render assistance”. This is a common verb that is used for “service” throughout the New Testament. This is the same verb that is used concerning those who hold the office of deacon in I Timothy 3:10.
Whether these men were actually called deacons or whether the office of deacon was established in the church at a later date is up for debate. But at the very least, these seven men serve as a prototype for the office that eventually became known as a deacon. Regardless of their title, they served an important function in the early church. As a result of their service to the Brethren, the Apostles were able to focus on doing what they had been called to do. Verse four reveals that this was their intention, they said “we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
The highest priorities of church leaders are prayer and the ministry of the word. Moreover, it is important that they are done in that order. William Macdonald says “The order here is significant—first prayer, then the ministry of the word. They made it a point to speak to God about men before speaking to men about God.”
The Apostles were certain that once these seven men were selected and “appointed over this business” they would be able to devote their time to continual prayer and the preaching of the Word. When they explained their decision to the members of the Church, the Saints were all in agreement and they began the process of choosing those seven men.
It is interesting to note that after addressing this issue before the whole assembly of believers, “the saying pleased the whole multitude.” If you have spent much time in the church, then you know that this phrase describes something that is almost miraculous. With such a vast multitude of believers gathered together, and in the midst of growing dissention, the entire church was pleased and in agreement with the Apostles’ solution to the problem. In response, the people in the Church chose: “Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas.”
Each church has the responsibility and privilege of selecting certain men to lead within the assembly. Many assemblies are currently in desperate need of men who meet the biblical qualifications for service. Because of this dearth of qualified Christian servants, many churches are so desperate that they fill leadership positions with people who are unqualified. When unqualified and unspiritual men possess a measure of authority in the church even more problems will arise.
The members of the early church were blessed to have seven men that they could trust to “appoint over this business”. We don’t know much about most of these men. We are familiar with Stephen, and his story will be explained in more detail in the latter parts of this chapter and in the whole of chapter 7. We also know that Phillip was the evangelist who carried the gospel to Samaria, led the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ, and spent time with the Apostle Paul at Caesarea.
Based on the names of the seven men, most (if not all) of them were Hellenists before their conversion. This was beneficial for a couple of reasons: The Hellenists who thought they were being discriminated against, now had representatives among the brethren. This choice was also a practical one because it would solve the problems brought about by the language barrier between the two groups of Jews.
After choosing these men, they were brought before the Apostles and commissioned for the task at hand. The next action of the Apostles is vitally important and it is essential if we seek to address any type of conflict or discord within our assembly. Notice:
WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE IN THE CHURCH THEY MUST BE ADDRESSED PRAYERFULLY
v6 (the church chose these men and set them) “before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
In a sign of affirmation and support and also as an act of commissioning them to Christian service; the Apostles “laid hands” on these men. The laying on of hands was not specific to the New Testament days. This was actually a tradition that went as far back as the days of Moses and it is described in Numbers 27:15-23 when the Lord instructed him to lay hands on Joshua. In scripture, laying hands on someone is a symbolic gesture that serves to identify them with the ministry that is to be performed. When the Apostles laid hands on these seven men, they were commissioning them with the responsibility of serving the Church. Once the process to address the growing pains had been implemented, the Saints responded with prayer. In the same way, we must ensure that every important decision, every act or correction, and every attempt to move forward is bathed in prayer!
Thus far in our study we have seen the problem and the solution; before we close, I would like to examine the outcome. Verse seven shows us what happens when a church does things God’s way. Even while enduring persecution and spiritual attack “the Word of God spread” and “the number of the Disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem” even to the point that “a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith”.
If the church had not addressed the issue between the Hellenists and the Hebrews the dissention would have grown worse and likely led to other problems within the Church. Thankfully the Church was blessed with spiritual and obedient leaders who were led by the Spirit and had a Christ honoring solution for the problem. Moreover, we must applaud the members of the church for being submissive to their leaders. When the Apostles instructed the church as to how to resolve this conflict “the saying pleased the whole multitude”; as a result, the conflict was resolved.
I am sure that Satan wanted nothing more than for the problems to spread and cause as much damage to Christ’s church as possible. Because this issue was addressed properly, the Apostles were able to focus on their primary responsibilities; namely prayer and the ministry of the Word. They now had certain men that they could trust to serve the Church while they focused on spiritual matters. As a result is that “the word of God spread” and that is clearly the last thing Satan desired!
Because the Word of God spread, multitudes of people were saved, their lives were changed, and they became faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Luke goes on to inform us that “a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”This is not a reference to the priests who were actively involved in the persecution of the Church. Rather, there were lower ranks of the priesthood and these men numbered in the thousands (some estimate that there were as many as 8,000 priests). These were men who had secular vocations and only served in the Temple periodically. These priests were men who were devoted to God and the Jewish religion; as a result of the moving of the Holy Spirit and the spreading of the Gospel they recognized Jesus as Messiah, repented, and became “obedient to the faith”.
Intertwined with these changed lives is the fact that God’s Kingdom was advanced. It is God’s desire for lost men and women to gain entrance into His eternal Kingdom. When there is trouble and conflict within the church, this mission is hindered greatly; but when the church handles problems God’s way there is great potential for His Kingdom to be advanced. When this happens, God is glorified!
The Father receives glory when lost men and women are converted and manifest the life of the Lord Jesus here on earth. God paid a great price to secure our salvation; He gave His only begotten Son in order to make eternal life possible for us. He is glorified when lost people surrender in faith to Jesus and are born again and enter into His eternal kingdom. Those people in turn should seek to honor and glorify Him with their lives. The ultimate desire of every local Church should be to bring glory to God.
God is certainly not glorified when there is problems, discord, and conflict among the Brethren. Therefore, when problems arise they must be addressed and they must be addressed God’s way. If we will do this, God will be glorified in His church.
As we have seen throughout this portion of our study, we can expect pains and difficulty when the church is growing. When these issues arise we must address them and we must do so promptly, compassionately, collectively, scripturally, and prayerfully. When we do these things, we will resolve conflicts God’s way and as a result: Conflict Will Be Resolved, Satan Will Be Defeated, The Word Of God Will Spread, Lives Will Be Changed, The Kingdom Will Be Advanced, and God Will Be Glorified
I am thankful to be part of a growing Church. I am also grateful that God’s Word shows us how to respond when we are part of “A Growing Church With Growing Pains”.
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