Acts 6:1-7 Administration and Spirituality
6:1 Complaints of Believers
6:2-4 Concentrations of Apostles
6:5-6 Contributions of Deacons
6:7 Contours of the Church
Acts 6:1 Complaints of Believers
The newly accepted believers made a complaint in the early Church, and they expected Apostles would visit them and care for them. There was a cultural clash based on ethnicity, and language, and background of their previous identity. Church has tried its level best to treat all are one and taught in Christ, and there is no Greek nor Jew make any difference. All have required to salvation experience with sincere repentance and love. But always it has witnessed the trouble makers, unsatisfactory corner to trouble the leaders appointed by God.
Acts 6:2-4 Concentrations of the Apostles
Apostles understood that they had a higher calling, and they were neglecting the ministry of prayer and word, to serve on the tables, and spend more time to take care of the daily care of the widows and needy with special attention, which consumed their enormous energy and time. By the time they had been to the prayer hall, they could have been exhausted like any one of us. Therefore, they decided not to meddle with the petty and smaller issues of believers’ camp and delegated to the upcoming potential spiritual leaders in the community. The qualification for the nominees has been mention as qualities of love, devotion, and detachment from community affinities, and willing to serve the community faithfully without any ill-feelings.
Acts 6:5-6 Contributions of the Deacons
The word Deacon has arrived from the Greek word daikons, meaning a servant. The church adopted this word to refer to the servants of the Church for religious purposes. The root word has split into dia plus Kon (ken). Dia means thoroughly from all sides, and ken means to haste, set oneself in motion (Ref. Etymonline.come). Here Apostles decided to appoint only seven deacons according to the need of the day. If there were 12 deacons, then 12 Apostles had selected one to assist them individually and could have got into further divisions. Also, it is worthy to note that their spiritual qualities, such as faith and filled with the Holy Spirit, and wisdom preceded their administrative skills.
Acts 6:7 Contour of the Church
The church took a new shape and form. There was an order of the leadership in the Church. The hierarchical order was for the spiritual benefit of the believers, and nothing they could be boasted off. The word of God took firm root in the community. Disciples had increased in numbers rather than members added into the Church. Problems within the community have come to an end, and it has paved the way for spiritual growth with grace in society. St. Luke narrates that a large number of priests had become obedient to the faith. Many could have understood the Messiah had come and completed the task of salvation.
Discussion:
1. What issues are the present church-at-large has faced?
2. How to strike a balance between the spiritual and administrative concerns in our modern days.
3. Suggest a few ideas for the growth of AMC in the present context.
(Please refer to the series of studies in Acts...)
