“Serve Tables” from Acts 6

 

The Seven Chosen, Martin's Bible Cartoons

Text—Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.” (Acts 6:1-2 NKJV)

 

Introduction

When some look at the phrase, serve tables, they immediately think of a restaurant where people gather at a table and a server (waiter/waitress) takes your order. But we have to suspend our modern ideas and think back to that moment in the first century to get a better understanding of the phrase. Were the apostles concerned about giving up preaching to serve food? Or was it something else?

 

The Disciples were Multiplying

Going back to verse 1, we are told the disciples were multiplying. This is a good thing, obviously, but let’s go further back. Acts 2:41, …about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 4:4, …and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. These are just a couple examples that the disciples were increasing in number.

However, not all of these people were locals. They were from all over; here not only for the Passover, but also Pentecost, and now none of them wanted to go home. The gospel of Jesus Christ was new and exciting, and they didn’t want to miss a single word. With the increased number of disciples, though, they needed: places to live, food, clothing, and employment.

 

12 Apostles, No Waiting

A solution was made and it began at the end of Chapter 4. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:34-37)

Since the apostles were the “center of attention”, money was given to them to see that it was distributed properly. Besides, if you can’t trust an apostle, who can you trust?

You can tell, however, between chapters 5 and 6 that more help was needed; full-time help to see that everyone got the provisions needed. Since the apostles were put in prison (the latter half of chapter 5), you can surmise that this might become a regular thing for them.

Not only that, but the need to continue to preach and teach the gospel was becoming hampered by the physical needs. In Acts 2:46, it states that they continued daily in the temple.

Preaching is a full-time job, not to mention that they probably had ongoing bible studies with individuals and small groups as the numbers of disciples increased. It was likely that they weren’t going to be able to “do it all” as some people would expect of their own local preacher.

 

The Final Solution is made

Going back to chapter 6, we pick up the story where a solution is finalized. “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch (vs. 3-5).

Since the Greeks (or Hellenists) had the complaints, it was only fitting that the seven chosen were Greeks themselves. This way, everyone got cared for. I’m sure others, of different backgrounds, liked this idea and chose people of their own ethnic background to represent them. This is just speculation, mind you, as the scriptures do not tell us.

 

This Problem is Not New

Going back to the Old Testament, we find a somewhat similar incident that took place. Having led the children of Israel out of Egypt, Moses was one who was “trying to do it all” by himself. His father-in-law, Jethro, could see that it wouldn’t work. There was approximately 2.2 million people that left Egypt and there was no way that one man could handle it alone. In Exodus 18, we see this discussion, And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. So when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.” (Exodus 18:13-16) Jethro could see that it was taking up all of Moses’ time and he wouldn’t be able to do anything else like care for his own family.

He then proposed a solution to Moses to relive the burden of basic matters so that Moses might return to teaching the law and statues of God. "Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. "And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you (Exodus 18:21-22).

By dividing the work into several groups, matters of simplicity could be handled at a lower level. Matter of higher, or greater, importance could then be brought before Moses.

 

Christians, Not the World

Going back to the book of Acts, you’ll notice that those in need were all disciples; Christians who were baptized and added to the church. They were not helping random individuals with a need as that is NOT the work of the church. Individual Christians can help anyone, but the church is not to be burdened with this (1 Tim. 5:16).

 

Conclusion

This scenario is not to approve of potluck dinners in the church building nor is it permission for the church to provide food, clothing, and shelter for every individual. This is about seeing to the needs of Christians who were now living, locally, in Jerusalem and had the basic needs of someone new to the area.

We learn from this by helping our brothers and sisters in Christ, whether it be money, a ride to an appointment, or simply a phone call to show you care for them. This makes us a stronger spiritual family.