Introduction:    Ideally, every church should be a “united church”. However, history has proven that very often, churches are better at division than they are addition. Although Christian and conflict seem like contradictory terms, sometimes the disciples will dispute, the brethren will bicker, and the faithful will fight. Though conflict in the church may be more prevalent today, the Word of God reveals that it is not a new thing. Our text gives us a very honest glimpse into the first hint of problems among the original church family. Verse 1 states the case plainly. This conflict had the potential to explode into an all out division and split, and yet the whole situation concludes in verse 7. As we observe the first church dealing with this internal problem, we are given some inspired and important lessons about Christian conflict, and how it is to be resolved in a way that honors Christ and advances His Church. Notice first of all that this original church teaches us about:

I.          THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A CONFLICT (V.1)

There may be some who believe that only bad churches have conflicts. In their minds, it is only the churches with crooked leadership, or carnal membership that go through strife and division. Acts 6 stands as a testimony to the fact that even good churches can have internal conflicts. This church had the apostles for leadership, and 5 to 10,000 exited, energetic, newly-converted, Spirit filled Christians as their congregation. The church had never been more pure! Nevertheless, “there arose a murmuring.” “Murmuring” = to grumble.  Even though this was a holy church, it was still a human church, and therefore the possibility of having a conflict was still there. This group reminds us of the ever present possibility of conflict among us; regardless of how good and pleasant our church may seem. Why is this so? The text points us to a couple of reasons. First of all:

            A.        Because Of Mistakes

The grumbling of the people had to do with the daily “ministration” 

·         The word “ministration” means to support; give attention to.

The first church had carried over the Jewish practice of taking a daily allotment of food to the widows, and other destitute people. As the ministry of distribution was being carried out, a mistake was made. The complaint was that the widows who spoke Greek were being “neglected”.

·         The word “neglected” means “to overlook”.

For some reason, either purposely or otherwise, a certain segment of the widows were not receiving their portion of the benevolence. This ongoing problem in the first church serves to remind us that no church functions without mistakes. No church ever gets it completely right. Every church should strive for excellence, but there is not a perfect church in this world.

There is the possibility of having a conflict because of mistakes, but there is also the possibility of having a conflict:

            B.         Because Of Misunderstandings

While it is possible that the Greek-speaking Christians were given less attention than the Hebrew-speaking ones, it could also be that this was just what the Greeks perceived to be taking place. If that was the case, then this conflict arises due to a misunderstanding. The Greeks felt as though they were being slighted simply because they were not Hebrew speaking Jews, but it is very likely that the mistake was an innocent one.

·         Often conflict arises, not based on a valid problem, but on what someone thinks is a problem?

Is it not common for someone to feel as if they have been slighted, insulted, or offended, when the truth is that no one intended any harm whatsoever?

·         Sometimes conflicts arise when someone digs up a problem that never really existed.

As humans, at times we misunderstand the actions of others. When we jump to conclusions, we are usually jumping into a conflict. This first church was made up of forgiven, and yet fallen, fallible human beings. They were prone to mistakes and misunderstandings, and therefore, they faced the possibility of having a conflict. This first church speaks to us of the possibility of having a conflict, but also they give to us:

II.         THE PRINCIPLES FOR HANDLING A CONFLICT (VV.2-4)

One of the buzzwords of our modern society is – conflict resolution. Everyone from married couples to major corporations are turning to so-called experts in conflict resolution. There is even a national Association for Conflict Resolution. Long before “conflict resolution” became a recognized practice, the first church was able resolve their conflict without the help of any experts or outside mediators. When we observe how the first church handled their first conflict, we find some important principles for all churches to remember when there is a struggle within the body. Notice how they handled this conflict. First of all:

            A.        They Did Not Let It Divide Them

There was a grumbling from the “Grecians against the Hebrews” two groups with an issue between them. This whole situation was ripe for a split and a division. Rather than splitting up, this first congregation came together. They remind us that…

·         While we may have differences, our differences don’t have to become divisions.

Our conflicts may stress us, but they should not split us. You don’t cut off a broken limb. You seek to mend it. Likewise, when handling conflict,

·         A peaceful discussion is always better than a painful divorce.

Biblical path for handling conflict - Matt.5:23-24; 18:12-16 (Also see Prov.6:16-19)

Not only did they not let it divide them, but also:

            B.         They Did Not Let It Distract Them

Before any solution was offered by the apostles, they quickly reminded the congregation of the priorities for their church. Look at second part of verse 2.

·         “Reason” means acceptable or pleasing.

In other words, the apostles said, “We understand that feeding the widows is an important task, but it will not please God if we set aside our preaching of the gospel in order to do benevolence.” Whatever solution was going to be offered, it was one that would not hinder the primary task of the church.

·         The proclamation and advancement of the gospel.

Some churches become so caught up in their own little struggles and problems that they lose sight of the primary mission for their church. Yes, we need to decide the color of the carpet, who is going to sing in the Christmas play, etc. But if we spend all our time and energy discussing and debating what is going on in the boat, and we never cast the net into the sea of lost humanity around us; then we will have become distracted and we are failing our Lord. Not only did they not let it divide them, or distract them, but notice also that:

            C.         They Did Not Let It Defeat Them

The problem was that a certain segment of widows were being overlooked in the ministry of the church. The solution offered by the apostles was a wise one. Look at verse 3. Then look at verse 5. Rather than being overcome by this problem, the people came together and worked together to overcome their conflict. In so doing, this first church reminds us that

·         A Spirit-led, Spirit-filled church never needs to be slowed or stopped by a conflict.

If we are willing to stand together, and serve together, we can handle whatever conflicts may arise. This first church teaches us that

·         Dealing with conflict may take some time to work through the knot of contention, but when we do, it is worth it in the long run.

That leads us to a third truth we draw from this text and this church in conflict.

III.       THE POWER OF HEALING A CONFLICT (VV.5-7)

Verse 5 lists the names of the men who were chosen to serve in the first deacon ministry. It is interesting to note that each of these men have Greek names. The church came to a wise decision, and they let the very ones who felt slighted take over the care of the widows. It was a move that helped to heal the conflict within the church. What happened after the apostles ordained the men is a sign of God’s blessing on a church that handles conflict wisely and carefully (v. 7). Rather than conflict hurting this group, it actually served to help it. Following this healing solution, the church was able to do more than it had been doing. Notice a couple of the results that came from healing this conflict. First of all:

            A.        The Church’s Ministry Expanded

The apostle’s made it clear that the primary ministry of the church was the preaching of the Word of God (v.4). The newly-ordained deacons enabled them to do just that, (v.7)

·         “Increased” means to grow, or to add.

The church’s ability to preach and proclaim the Word grew as a result of the healing of this conflict. However, before the Bible tells about numerical growth for this church, it speaks of Scriptural growth.

·         This is the kind of “increase” that every church should seek.

May it be our commitment, that when a conflict arises, we are quick to heal it, not so much to mend the hurt feelings of the membership, but so that we may increase our proclamation of the Lord Jesus and His Word! The power of healing a conflict is seen not only in the fact that the church’s ministry expanded, but also in the fact that:

            B.         The Church’s Membership Enlarged

There are two things that strike me about this verse.

·         The rate of this growth.

The disciples “multiplied”. They did not have just a few additions. They were multiplying! Oh that we would not be satisfied with merely growing by addition! May we multiply by reaching the lost and increase the Kingdom of Christ!

·         The reach of this growth.

Verse 7 says that Jewish priests were leaving the sacrificial altars of the Temple to join those who followed the One, True Sacrifice, and the Lamb of God – Jesus Christ! When the gospel is proclaimed with conviction, and portrayed within a congregation of true believers, it overcomes not just the condemnation of sin, but also the confusion of error as well. When God’s people work together for His kingdom, the reach of the gospel leaps over the walls of religious error, and captures the heart of those whose are held in its grip. The first church speaks to us about the importance of working through our conflicts in order that we might see our Savior’s name proclaimed with power, and His church filling with people!

Conclusion:     Every church will have conflicts and issues that threaten to divide them. However, we must deal with our conflicts in such a way that they do not hinder the harvest God has called us to reap. If we will stay focused and faithful, we can see blessings and growth that will overshadow any differences that might arise.