Shared Responsibility (Acts 6:1-7; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

Things can get missed when there’s plenty to do. The first disciples, called “the twelve” here, had plenty to do as the number of adherents to the Christian faith increased. Also, as their particular quality of ministry and care became well known, opportunities of helping people from the general community, most often the poor, also increased. With increasing numbers, especially when it happens in a hurry, tensions can arise. In the particular case we read of in Acts 6, those new Christians from a Greek speaking background outside Jerusalem (the “Hellenists”) felt that their widows were not getting as good a deal compared to the widows of Aramaic-speaking background (from Jerusalem itself) – in fact it is said they were being “neglected”. There could have been some partiality here, but it is more likely that this was more due to time and resource pressures (perhaps leading to responding only to the closest standing need).

So there needed to be an all-hands-on-deck approach, lest opportunities would be lost, and tensions would increase leading to fractures; and the cost of this would be … the effective sharing of Gospel. There needed to be an understanding of shared responsibility! Practical things always need to be attended to. Nothing happens unless someone opens the door and offers a seat. Those who could take on more practical tasks would free up others to take up more teaching roles. The principle to be drawn from this, is everyone getting involved according to the gifts, abilities and availabilities that God has given them (to be invested in the Church). This is all very inclusive too – one of the new ‘seven’ named Nicolaus was described as a “proselyte from Antioch”, meaning that he was a Gentile who had first been attracted to the religion of the Jews and then subsequently became a follower of Jesus.

“Seven” were appointed, and the original “twelve” apostles prayerfully commissioned them. The ‘seven’ were thus trusted and encouraged in their role. It’s interesting that no one need be typecast in any one particular role for too long. Case in point is Stephen, who originally is appointed to the practical tasks of distributing food and waiting on tables, but by verse 8 of this chapter has already proceeded to very upfront roles (refer Acts 6:8-10). Another case in point is Philip, who by chapter 8 is out and about sharing the Gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch (and baptising him when he accepted Jesus – 8:26-38). This shows us that sometimes someone needs to be given a chance or encouraged to take on a small role, and that through this opportunity they discover the full breadth of their giftedness. People’s ’giftedness’ can actually emerge over time.

The actual “gifts of the Holy Spirit” are taught and listed in several parts of the New Testament. There can be found over twenty particular gifts, and it is often obvious which gift or gifts a person has – and everyone who has received the Holy Spirit has been given at least one gift. But mostly I think, people find their way into God’s best for them, through a little bit of trial and experimentation. One can grow into their full giftedness. And certainly the process of discipleship, i.e. learning how to follow Jesus ever more closely and accurately, is enriched by either specific or broad involvement in (and through) the church community. After all, no gift of the Spirit was ever given for one’s own advantage, but rather only for the “common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). We should only expect growth in ‘giftedness’ if we are going to be active in the Church for the common good.

We should also note that no person is ranked above anyone else … every gift is needed to complete the whole. This is why Paul in 1 Corinthians (12:12-26) uses the analogy of a human body, demonstrating that the body is less for any missing part and that all parts are needed for good functioning to occur – no part (i.e. no one) is indispensable. The only ranking officer is that of Jesus at the head. In Acts 6, we see that even those being nominated for practical tasks had to be of “good standing, full of the Spirit and wisdom” (verse 3). And why shouldn’t they be? Firstly, the hospitality tasks they would perform are frontline and important, and secondly, all Jesus followers … all members of Jesus’ body … should live lives of “good standing, full of the Spirit and wisdom”!! There are actually no excuses not to – we have the Bible, the Holy Spirit and prayer as resources. Everyone has a unique contribution to make.

Good quality leadership is always helpful, but not always available. Leadership too sometimes has to emerge. The “twelve” were having to operate in the early days in a cooperative manner – Peter only beginning to grasp a leadership sort of role amongst them. When Peter was more focussed on outward mission, it was James (not one of the “twelve” but the brother of Jesus) who more became the notional leader in Jerusalem. Then we see that Paul was right out there as the most forthright and Christ-focussed teacher and church planter, coming right out of left field, and the one most people either wanted to follow or oppose. We can’t often predict where leadership is going to come from. In the meantime, the “twelve” together with the ‘seven” did the best they could. Having said this, we cannot deny that good quality leadership does connect with the notion of effectiveness and longevity.