Murmuring, Discord and Division
We read in the Scriptures of the spiritual prosperity of the early church. A great love prevailed in the believers so that they “had all things common” (Acts 5:32). The apostles gave “witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 5:33). As a result, the “number of the disciples was multiplied” (Acts 6:1). Even the fierce opposition of the Jewish high priests and council could not hinder their advance. Rather, “they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:41-42).
The church was growing. Satan, having failed to impede its progress by raising opposition from without now leveraged legitimate concerns within to strike at its unity and cripple its advance. Luke records “there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration” (Acts 6:1). The “Grecians” were Greek-speaking Jews most likely born in the Roman provinces but now living in Jerusalem, whereas the “Hebrews” were those Jews who spoke in their native tongue and had not embraced the Greek culture. It is important to note that these Grecians and Hebrews were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, yet culturally distinctive.
The early church had recognized the importance and embraced the responsibility of caring for their widows. But an inequality in how the “daily ministration” was carried out prompted a “murmuring” against the Hebrews by the Grecians. Discord and division began to take root fracturing the body and becoming a distraction from the most important thing, the proclamation of the gospel.
It was Satan’s goal to impede the proclamation of the gospel. Believers consumed with infighting would lose their burden for the community of lost souls around them. By the grace of God, the apostles saw the need for a God-honoring remedy and acted accordingly. They gathered the “multitude of disciples unto them, and said, it is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3-4). Other capable men were selected to care for the widows while the apostles continued to pray for and seek the advance of the gospel.
The church has continued to face opposition throughout the centuries, but it still endures and moves forward. After all, Jesus promised “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Undergirding that purpose is his omnipotent power. He told his disciples before going back into heaven, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:18-19). Dare we be a hindrance to this great work with petty murmurings and disputes? Rather, “let us…follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19).
Randy Livingston serves as a chaplain for a local police department. He writes devotionals for his ministry which also appear at his blog, From the Chaplain. We republish this post by permission.