The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 202

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-7.-Prosperity and peace within the Ohwrch. These opening verses prove to us that a condition of exceptional virtue may abruptly pass into one of common infirmity. From the height of holy enthusiasm the Church falls down, by steep and quick descent, into the depth of unlovely wrangling. From all the verses of the text we gather- I. THAT PROSPERITY 'nRmGB DANGER TO A CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS WELL AS TO INDIVIDUAL SOULS, "When the number of the disciples was multiplied there arose a murmuring" (ver. 1). Enlargement often brings with it pride, or false confi- dence, or sloth, or worldliness. It is a "slippery place," where there is great danger of falling. It is frequently the condition of disagreement and even serious discord. When the number is small and the band feeble, each member of the community feels that he must stand by the rest, and let all his strength be put out in advancement of the common cause; but when there is a consciousness of strength, the sense of responsi- bility is lessened, and men permit themselves to indulge a spirit and to manifest signs of impatience, querulousness, complaint. But no Christian Church can afford to have any of its members introduce the discordant note. It may, indeed, be lost and silenced in the harmonies which prevail; but it may throw everything out of tune and be the beginning of endless dissonance and dire confusion. II. THAT THE HARMONIOUS ACTION OF THE CHURCH IS LARGELY DEPENDENT ON THE WISE APPORTIONMENT OF ITS FUNCTIONS. "It is not reasonable that we (the apostles] should leave the Word of God and serve tables" (ver. 2). It was altogether undesirable that the apostles of Christ, who were charged with such high functions, should expend their strength and time in small monetary arrangements. They would probably do that ill when they might be doing their own proper work admirably. '!'hey wisely divided the duties of the Church into two different parts, of which they would take one, and leave the other to those whose habits and faculties made the!:"' suitable for its discharge: then all went well. If we do not assign functions with discretion, all affairs will speedily be out of joint; the machinery will work with the maximum instead of the minimum of friction. Let the minister take his post or posts, and there be found in full activity; let the other officers have theirs, and keep them. Let activity be well directed, and there will be peace as well as fruitfulness. III. THAT THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH OFTEN DO WELL TO CONSULT THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF SETTLING EVERYTHING THEMSELVES. "The twelve called the multituJc . . . and said, . . . look ye out," etc. (vers. 2, 3). The members of the Church should remember that affairs are greatly expediteu., order maintained, and peace preserved by their delegating much business to a few chosen men; on the other hand, the leaders should remember that even the inspired apostles of our Lord did not stand upon their dignity as such, but consulted "the multitude of the disciples," and that what they did with propriety we may do with advantage. IV. THAT EVEN FOR THE HUMBLER DUTIES OF THE CHURCH SOME STERLING CHRIS· TIAN GRACEII ARE NEEDFUL. The seven men now appointed "to serve tables" went to be " men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom" (ver. 3); ,.e. the) were (1) to enjoy a good reputation; (2) to be spiritual men in whom God dwelt by his Spirit; (3) to be men of prudence and capacity. They who do not possess these quali• fications have no right to expect any position in the Church of Christ•. "\V:ithout _the confidence and esteem of their brnthren they could not make a good begmnmg ; with- out Christian character they would be out of place altogether; without requisite gifts of the understanding and disposition they would certainly not make a good ending. V. THAT WE MAY EXPECT lrl.INIST.111RIAL FIDELITY TO BE FOLLOWED BY ABOWIDING  198 THE AOT8 OF THE APOSTLES. [on. n 1-1&.