A Glitch In Organization

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” [Acts 6.1-4]

I am going to make an observation here... The apostles' complaint has a hint of pride in it (at least in my ears). They seemed to think that "running a food program" was beneath them in their devotion and service to God.

Here is a scripture that makes the apostles' statement a little difficult to reconcile:

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. [James 1.27]

As I continued to read about this circumstance, Stephen comes on the scene as a "subordinate" to do the work the apostles felt they were not required to do. Again, how they could reconcile with their actions seems contrary to God's documented attitude toward orphans and widows in all the Old Testament. A quick Bible search for "orphans and widows" reveals God's heart toward them.

Here is the point I wish to make though. Stephen, the subordinate, was described like this:

Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. [Acts 6.8]

And then, the sermon that Stephen preached following this description tells a story most overlook. Why was it not one of the apostles (who needed their time teaching the Word of God) preaching this power-packed sermon?

Could we have a New Testament clue of the Church beginning to lose its power and effectiveness for the sake of organization? I think it is worth consideration!

Stephen fed the widows, performed mighty miracles and preached with power. It was this "subordinate service" of Stephen's that was most likely the glitch in Saul's memory that he could not overlook or explain that eventually led to his becoming the famous apostle Paul.

For the record, Acts 7.1-53 details Stephen's sermon. It sounds very much like the message of a person deeply acquainted with the Word of God. How did he do that and serve tables? He just did. And, he was the person whose witness and testimony introduced history to Saul of Tarsus who become the apostle Paul who penned over half of the New Testament and arguably did more for the development and spread of the early Church than any other person!

Here's my takeaway: sometimes organization may not do what we think it does. It may, in practice, take away from our effectiveness.

Father, help us to understand what YOU are saying through Acts 6 and 7 regarding Stephen's story as it relates to the apostles...