Acts 6: The Church's first organised food bank

 

Acts 6: Read here

Chapters 6 and 7 cover, in large part, the story of Stephen - how he came to his ministry, his incredible speech, through the power of the Holy Spirit, before the Sanhedrin, and his martyrdom.  Reading through it today I can help but feel moved and inspired.  But I'll leave the climax of the story for tomorrow and today focus on the first part, in Chapter 6.

Our story starts in what appears to be the very practical realm.  The arguments between two of the racial groups was just the trigger.   Perhaps someone had been unintentionally missed, or perhaps there was just a break down in communication, but the underlying problem was that the church had got sufficiently big that the daily distribution of food to those in need within it was not something that could just be done on the side by the apostles.  It required proper organisation.  But teaching the word of God is not something that can be neglected and the Apostles, as leaders and teachers, knew that they could not afford to let that ministry slide.

But the family still needed to be cared for.  And that is what is was.  Notice the very first verse - it mentions the daily distribution of food.  Those who could not provide for themselves were completely taken under the wing of their brothers and sisters in Christ, not as those to be pitied, receiving the 'bitter bread' of charity, but as we see from the beginning of Chapter 5, they were united in love so that they shared, meaning that no one was in need.

Just imagine if we could be like that?  In many congregations, no one is in dire financial need because those that are don't feel welcome or don't think church is for them.  Church is a place for people who can put something in the collection plate, who are of a certain social standing.  And yet Jesus said:  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13:32).  People should look at the church and see it as a place where the financially poor or those who are weak in other ways according to the standards of the world are cared for.

And so the disciples do not just choose anyone for this essential ministry.  They chose some who were known to be full of the spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3).  It's easy to imagine Stephen in the role of the person who faithfully manages the foodbank but never believes that they would end up giving a powerful speech to the Sanhedrin and become the first martyr.  Now, Stephen probably could not have imagined what would happen, but from the beginning of his ministry it seems that Stephen was speaking the word of God amongst people, along with performing signs and wonders.

The accusations levelled against Stephen reveal that he has been telling stories of Jesus - for example, the words: For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us (Acts 6:14), although a complete twisting of the truth, suggest that Stephen has been telling others of how Jesus said he would destroy the temple and build it up again in three days (referring to his body), his various teachings rebuking the traditions and rituals imposed on people by the Pharisees, and his teaching that he was the fulfilment of the Jewish law - the final and ultimate sacrifice.

(A note of caution: being filled with wisdom was not a result of academic credentials.  We know that the Apostles themselves were unschooled ordinary men (Acts 4:13) - this was not about being clever or having the worldly qualifications of leadership, but being filled with the Holy Spirit and the wisdom he brings.)

And so, there is no part of the church which is not directed by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and not done in the name of Jesus. As Paul says: whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17). There is no ministry which is 'unspiritual' and all require us to align ourselves with God's word and pray that the Holy Spirit would help us to discern the right path.

And the story of Jesus is ours to share, whatever we are doing and whatever our calling.  More on what that meant for Stephen tomorrow.

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