“In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied.” Growth and godliness were inseparable in the church. Many thousands were saved, steadfast, sanctified and Spirit-filled within a short period of time. Satan tried to afflict the church with persecution from outside and endeavoured to inflict the believers with the cancer of deception from within. Perseverance and prayer preserved the church during persecution, while purging and purity preserved the body of Christ in holiness, health and power.
The church continued to grow and, “the number of the disciples was multiplied.” However, “there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” The Apostles combined the spiritual and temporal affairs of the church. Some widows complained of being neglected and “there arose a murmuring.” This sin of murmuring, if not speedily dealt with could have destroyed many in the church (Numbers 11:1; 14:2,11,12,27-30,36,37; Psalm 106:24-27; 1 Corinthians 10:10-12; Philippians 2:14; Jude14-16).
The Apostles were led by the Holy spirit to raise seven leaders in the church to take care of these temporal needs. This new arrangement enabled the Apostles to concentrate on the uninterrupted ministry of the word and the church continued to grow. “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith,” (Acts 6:7).
The Apostles said: “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” Leaving the preaching of the gospel and becoming involved in secular matters would be a thoughtless departure from the purpose of their calling. Neglecting the saving of souls and shifting attention to ministering to the needs of bodies of men and women would result in the eternal loss of precious souls. It would be sinful for the Apostles to abandon what the Lord had commanded, while committing themselves to what He had not specifically commanded them to do.
In this century, in Christendom, healing bodies and losing souls, caring for earthly needs and missing heaven is the tragedy of the minister and the ministry. The guilt of labouring for “the meat which perisheth” (John 6:26,27), the condemnation of being “busy here and there” (1 Kings 20:39,40), while sinners are dying without salvation and going into an eternal hell will be unbearable.
“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” The Apostles resolved to concentrate on praying and preaching. Private praying preparatory to public preaching was to be their constant engagement. The daily proclamation of the gospel was to be their constant employment. They had been set apart and divinely commissioned by God for the salvation of souls and that was to be their main commitment. Their lives, time, talents, gifts and skills were to be wholly devoted to saving souls, discipling believers, strengthening the church, maturing church members, equipping disciples for fruitful evangelism; raising, training and enlisting more pastors and preparing saints for the rapture.
• Further reading (King James Version): Acts 6:1-15. Acts 6:1-4; Mark 3:14; Luke 24:45-48; Acts 1:8; 5:19,20; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 9:16; Acts 20:24-31; 1 Timothy 4:15,16; 2 Timothy 2:2-4; 4:1-5; Philippians 3:13-17. Acts 6:3-7; Deuteronomy 1:13; Acts 1:21,22; 1 Timothy 3:6-15; 2 Corinthians 8:21-23; 3 John 1:11,12; Luke 1:15-17; Acts 11:22-24; Job 28:12,28; James 3:13-18; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13; 3:19. Acts 6:8-15; 2:17,18; Mark 16:17-20; Luke 10:17-20; Acts 8:5-8; 11:19-24; Matthew 10:19,20; Luke 21:12-15; Ecclesiastes 8:1; 1 Corinthians 2:4; Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:7,8,18.
