What Problem Can You Solve?

[Act 6:1-7 NIV] 1 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. 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." 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Hellenistic Jews did not speak Hebrew, but Greek. Hebraic Jews were bilingual speaking both Aramaic and Greek. Special consideration was mentioned in Exodus for widows and orphans. The families and community were called to care for these individuals. Complaints occur about the treatment of two different groups of widows. A decision is made to assign men to solve the concerns.

There are many concerns within groups of like-minded individuals. The first step to a solution is the knowledge of a problem. The group decided to solve the concern by creating a group. What concerns can you solve among believers? What are you doing to help individuals with similar situations described above?   

Bibliography

Toussaint, Stanley D. “Acts.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 349-432. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.