Turning Church Tension Into Blessing – Acts 6
“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” — Acts 6:7
In Acts 6, the early church is faced with another threat – internal fighting. As they grow, it becomes harder and harder to meet everyone’s needs. Cultural divisions are brought into the church and people begin to murmur against one another.
The twelve apostles wisely come up with a plan to deal with the issue. They know they cannot leave the teaching and praying ministry, so they ask the people to appoint seven honest, Spirit-filled, and wise men to oversee the distribution for the widows.
When this is done, we are told in verse seven that “the word of God increased,” “the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly, and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
What began as a threat ended with a blessing. God turned the problem around through the wise leadership of the apostles and the willingness of Godly men to step up in the church.
What a blessing to see leaders and people work together in local churches to keep the Word of God increasing and the disciples multiplying! As we face tension in our churches may God give us the wisdom to work out solutions so that the work of God’s Word can continue.