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. (2) 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. (3) 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; (4) but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. “(5) And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Phillip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicholas, a proselyte from Antioch, (6) whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

The Book of Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke, gospel writer, physician and historian. Our verses today describe problem solving in the early Church – which had gone from the Church alone in the upper room to the Church in the world. The scene is being set for for the stoning of the first martyr, Stephen, and the scattering of the church. The point in our verses is for balance – if there are inward problems not solved, eventually these problems will result in discord. The early mission of the apostles was the task of taking the gospel to the world. The Hellenistic (Greek) Jewish Christians – those who lived outside of Palestine – felt their widows and orphans were being neglected. The solution of the 12 was to have the church pick men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom to serve while they continued their true work of prayer and ministry.

The apostles met about the problem and called together the whole congregation – they explained their philosophy of ministry, laid out guidelines, tasked the congregation to find seven qualified men as remedy. They recognized and implemented the division of labor on the basis of spiritual gifts. The apostolic spiritual leaders must maintain the focus on prayer and the ministry of God’s Word and the newly appointed (similar to today’s deacons) j leaders at every level must be spiritually qualified and full of the Spirit. This process was a blend between apostolic direction and congregational participation.

The apostles put prayer first – there is no effectual ministry unless preceded by prayer which is the expression of dependence on God. Seven men were chosen; all their names are Greek indicating they were from the dissident group. The laying on of hands is first mentioned here in the New Testament. This goes back to Leviticus where it meant identification of the Israelites with the offering itself. The apostles identified themselves and the assembly with them in the work for which they had been chosen. The result was the work of God increased with great energy from the Spirit and the number of disciples increased greatly. They preached the time for sacrifice has passed away and the Law and ritual of the Temple was about to vanish.