Men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost

What a standard for all of God’s people - honesty, and filled with the Spirit. These traits are indicative of those ‘who have renounced the hidden things of shame’, 2 Cor. 4. 2 NKJV,and who ‘provide things honest in the sight of all men’, Rom. 12. 17. It is worthy of the One who said, ‘I am . . . the truth’ and an imperative for useful service, knowing that ‘all things are naked and opened before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do’, Heb. 4. 13. Yielding to the Spirit of God as seen in this portion, dissension will be overcome, disciples will be strengthened, and discouragement will be averted.

As the number of disciples multiplied, so did the problems in the early church. Growing pains were as much a problem then as they are now. With the increase in numbers, came an increase in complaints. In this case, they centred on the care of widows, some of whom were neglected in the daily distribution. The Hellenists were bothered by the apparent oversight by the Hebrews of their widows, Acts 6. 1. Age, gender, and racial tension marked the assembly in Jerusalem.

How were problems dealt with then, and how should they be dealt with now? Certainly not in the way that they were addressed in Numbers chapter 11! The complaining congregation in the wilderness resorted to their own carnal appetites and allowed the ‘mixed multitude’ to dictate the agenda, Num. 11. 1, 4. The outcome was futile as the effort expended to remedy the situation proved fruitless - despite the presence of melons!

Fortunately, carnal methods did not prevail in this conflict. Through the godly wisdom of the Twelve, the congregation was presented with the challenge to identify seven men of good report and full of the Holy Spirit to lead in the practical concerns of the assembly. They were selected and brought before the Twelve who prayed and commissioned them for the task, Acts 6. 6. Among them was Stephen who epitomized the very qualities that God extols for this service. May these credentials always be present in dealing with any issue that potentially threatens the harmony of the assembly.