Acts 6:1-7
I’ve known it already, but it always strikes me nicely that the Greek widows were complaining and that the deacons chosen all had Greek names. But further today I noticed that (it may have been that) the apostles stepped back from that decision. The apostles had said, “Therefore, brethren, select from among you… (v. 3a), with a verse 6 follow-up, And these they brought before the apostles… So it looks to me like the apostles were willing to go with whatever the “congregation of the disciples” (v. 2) decided. Intriguing.
The church growth is again mentioned, now twice in these seven verses (vv. 1, 7). But beyond the numerical growth, as I mentioned a few days ago, (even) …a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. (v. 7). This is huge! It’s not just the common people, even priests are hearing and believing! But reflect on that a bit. The priests are very learned in their Jewish heritage and faith while the apostles (Peter and John), in the eyes of the Council, were “uneducated and untrained men” (Acts 4:13). Their training came from their time with Jesus and from the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Every time I come up with something that I had not seen before, even though I’ve read these verses maybe hundreds of times, I thank the Holy Spirit for opening my eyes. We need more Holy Spirit power in our lives!
Slava Bohu!
Fred, I would have loved to hear the discussion and decision making by the disciples in making the recommended list. I hope I can hear someone or several Jewish disciples suggesting that there be Greek speakers among the group, even showing love and trust that all be Greek speakers. Here in the U.S., we would be asserting fair numerical representation, saying trust me. We need to use Acts as our model!
Priests believed! Maybe even Pharisees, much like Nicodemus. What, maybe some Sadducees too? We need to keep in mind that the Holy Spirit works in people we might think are unresponsive to the Gospel. It goes where it will and we need humility!
Good points, Debbie. I especially like your “fly on the wall” thought about listening in to the disciples’ discussion. I do a lot of reading between the lines – but I never try to make too much of what I’ve conjured up in my mind!!