Acts 6:1–7 (ESV)
Seven Chosen to Serve
6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out
from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And
what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These
they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase,
and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
The apostles deal with complaints about the relief
of the Church’s poor, instituting the office of deacon. Church conflict can often be resolved for the benefit of the ministries, preaching, teaching, and physical care of God’s people. If your congregation is experiencing conflict, take counsel
and comfort from this passage. Also, rest your heart and confidence in the Lord, who sends His Spirit and heals His Church.
I pray: Lord, let love rule our life, and
supply us with pastors and deacons for Your glory and for the good of Your flock. Amen.
Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 1844.