The hidden opportunities in conflict
Christians, like everyone else, have to face conflict. It happens outside and inside of the Church. Conflict often accompanies growth, but what if it is an opportunity for growth, especially for those most affected by it? Understanding why conflict arises in the Church helps us to prioritise our response accordingly and allows the Lord to turn that conflict into growth. Acts teaches us how service can addresses conflict and how to apply it in our own congregation.
Scripture
Acts 6:1-7 ESV Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. [2] And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. [3] Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. [4] But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” [5] And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. [6] These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. [7] And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Bible Study Questions
Conflict comes with growth, inside and out
As the growth of the early Church unfolds in the book of Acts, we’ve seen regular occurrences of conflict outside and inside the Church. Which conflicts have been challenging the Church up until this point in Acts and what has been the result of these conflicts?
Acts 6:1 ESV Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
Acts 4:2-3 ESV greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. [3] And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
Acts 5:4 ESV While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
Acts 5:41-42 ESV Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. [42] And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
The biggest threat identified
By the grace of God the Apostles are made aware of the real threat to the Church, being distracted from it’s main purpose. The conflict inside and out threatens the preaching of the Gospel and that is what needs to be addressed before anything else. Why should we expect the Gospel to be attacked and what will be the outcome of that attack for those who love the Lord Jesus Christ and are called to serve Him?
Acts 6:2 ESV And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
1 Peter 5:8-10 ESV Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. [10] And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Matthew 16:18 ESV And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The solution to the conflict
Grumbling and complaining don’t seem that bad when compared with other things that can go wrong in the Church. Why is it urgent to address, and how do the Apostles address it?
Acts 6:3 ESV Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
Numbers 14:28-30 ESV Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: [29] your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, [30] not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
Focusing on the core service
Why is preaching the Gospel such a priority? The Apostles haven’t only realised the priority of serving the Word of the Gospel, but also the means by which they are able to do so with power. What is the other priority for them to focus on?
Acts 6:3 ESV But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Matthew 4:4 ESV But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
John 6:32-33 ESV Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
Acts 4:31 ESV And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
The right people to serve the right way
The people choose seven men, what do you notice about these seven which makes them suited for the job of serving in the Church? Why would they need these attributes just to serve bread to the needy? What happens when we make ourselves available to serve God in seemingly small ways?
Acts 6:5 ESV And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
Acts 8:26-27 ESV Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. [27] And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship
Set apart for service to God
The Apostles know the importance of serving in small ways, what do they realise will be needed if this team is to serve God effectively?
Acts 6:6 ESV These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
The ongoing outcome to conflict properly dealt with
Sometimes when we see the problem of conflict we want to solve it in order to restore peace. This is important, but when we understand the real issues we can also see the real objective to solving conflict in the Church. What is the result of this conflict being addressed, and how does it affect the whole Church?
Acts 6:7 ESV And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.