Previously, the believers were of one accord and no one had any need. Now, we have arguing and needs not being met. What happened? They organized.

This is an unpopular stance, but let me just state my case. We see the people organize. We see it back with Moses delegating. We see the same sort of divvying up of people into various size groups in David’s army as well. None of that comes from God. The Torah is full of laws and they aren’t about organizing people. That comes from man. We have this need for it; it helps us get control. God doesn’t ordain it, but He certainly doesn’t stop it. He seems willing to work within it or around it as necessary.

Later in Acts we’ll see the Council in Jerusalem. They cause Paul trouble. He’s not free to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He has to defend his work to the Council and convince them not all Christians need to be circumcised. The Council makes a rule about what rules need to be followed, including dietary laws. Paul then goes and preaches that it doesn’t really matter what we eat.

What’s supposed to happen? We’re supposed to live and move and have our being in Christ. We’re all supposed to be walking in relationship with Christ, fully submitted to His rule in our lives. We’re supposed to be meeting the needs of others. It doesn’t have to happen through committee.

In Acts 6, the people nominate leaders for the widows’ ministry, men full of the Spirit and wisdom. The leaders appoint them. The leaders didn’t want to deal with the widows. They wanted to be in prayer and out teaching.

We each have a role and should be free to work in our gifting. Some of those appointed to the widows had other gifting from the Lord. We’ll be reading about two of those appointed to the widows being out preaching.