Apostles' Solution

Without any ado, we go right into the final of the convincing examples which have led us to choose Peter as the spokesperson for the apostles, in our present setting.  

After Jesus was Crucified and Risen, He appeared to His disciples on several occasions. On this specific occasion, Jesus has prepared breakfast for them on the beach. The meal, having been completed, Jesus turns His attention to Peter. It is here that the Risen Christ Jesus, restores and reinstates Peter, after his grievous sin against his Master. Jesus then gives him the role of caring for His sheep. Jesus said to him, Feed My Sheep. John 21: 17b. We know that with such an onerous responsibility, Peter cannot stand by and allow any evil pestilences to creep in and not allow all God’s sheep to be fed, and fed satisfactorily at that. He speaks up and speaks out! Yes, I believe that Peter is the apostle whose voice is heard in that meeting, when the Church was summoned by the twelve apostles.  

After Jesus arose and ascended back to heaven, He baptized His disciples with the Holy Ghost and with Fire. This is the prophesied outpouring, when all Jesus’ disciples who were present, were filled with the Holy Ghost. There, on that occasion, when some onlookers were trying to make a mockery of that first Pentecostal outpouring, this is what we read. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. Acts 2: 14. Peter will not deny his position, his calling, or his passion for his Master’s Church. He will not let unwanted murmuring voices make waves in the Church family. He speaks up and speaks out. 

O yes, you and I must believe that the voice we are now hearing, representing all eleven apostles, is Peter’s. It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Peter states their case in tones that know no wavering, fearfulness or uncertainty. When our Leader speaks and states a fact to us, there is no kind of miscommunication, misunderstanding or mistaking of what we are hearing. Our Lord and Master is loud and clear as the rolling thunder.

We now move on to the solution. Having dealt with two of the effective and successful three-part solution, to eradicate the murmuring in the Church, which were, Summoning and Stating, we turn to the final solution. 

Setting Up – The Twelve are resolute and resolved of the way forward, the way to eradicate the unwanted fruit that has crept into the growing Church. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Acts 6: 3. Peter makes it clear to the believers. Seven wise, reputable, Spirit-filled disciples are to be set aside for this new Ministry. Pause for a minute and think of how this move is a clear indicator, not of poor management, neglect or any such anti-Christ actions, but of the working of the Spirit.

The Spirit is giving gloriously abundant fruit to the planting of good seed being sown daily by the apostles. People are hearing the preaching and teaching of the Gospel.  They are witnessing daily demonstrations of the Power of the Word and are coming to Christ Jesus. 

In the beginning, there was no need to have people wait on tables, because, among the twelve apostles, they handled it well. However, this is not the case at present. It is precisely because of their abundant blessings, as numbers are increasing above and beyond, it has become necessary to set up this new ministry.

What a testimony of Church growth! What glorious fruit bearing! What a time for Church rejoicing! The setting up of a new ministry, manned by seven devout people from among them, is the solution. The unwanted, deadly, poisonous fruit that was trying to find place in this family of believers, all had to die, even before mischief could be done. 

Should this not be our attitude to any unwanted fruit found in and among believers? Shouldn’t we be just as vigilant about any such bitter, poisonous fruit? 

The Church has the power to eradicate any such unwanted, anti-Christ behaviour.