The structuring of leadership within the Church and society is fundamental and often changing, but it must always be under God.
We saw yesterday how Moses received wise advice from his father-in-law to change the administration of justice in Israel. Moses judged rightly under God, but the structure wasn’t good for him or the people. Others were appointed to help with the everyday judgements and Moses was left with only the difficult cases.
21 But select capable men from all the people – MEN WHO FEAR GOD, TRUSTWORTHY MEN WHO HATE DISHONEST GAIN – and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Exodus 18
22 Let them serve as judges for the people at all times, but LET THEM BRING EVERY DIFFICULT CASE TO YOU; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.’
Spreading or sharing the burden was Good for Moses and good for the people.
In Acts 6 we see a similar type of situation faced the apostles with the rapid growth of the new Church. God can cause His people to grow dramatically, even under slavery and persecution. In fact that’s often when their growth is best.
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the DAILY DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD. Acts 6
The Bible says the number of ‘Disciples’ were increasing, not just Church members. (Disciple, those under discipline) There was a cost to following the Lord under Roman rule and Religious prejudice.
The expanding Church in the midst of mighty miracles was also caring Daily for their neediest members, but the distribution of the food wasn’t being done fairly. The Jews from Jerusalem were favouring their own widows above those from ‘the dispersion’. Bias or bigotry had immediately surfaced in the Church and had to be removed.
2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’
God had ordained that there should be TWELVE apostles (the number of perfect government) to oversee His Church, NOT ONE LEADER, although Peter was the Lead Apostle in Jerusalem in the earliest days. The matter was pressing but the apostles wouldn’t be drawn into resolving it firsthand, instead they told the body to appoint seven men to oversee the feeding of the widows. Seven godly men were given new responsibility; also Stephen and Philip went on to greater deeds for the Kingdom. The coming move of the Spirit will undoubtedly release many into mighty acts and authority for Christ’s Kingdom in this day.
God bless and keep you today.