Other evils, unhappily, assail the church (chap. 6). The flesh begins to
shew itself, in the midst of the power of the Holy Ghost, the trouble
arising from the different circumstances of the disciples, and in those
things in which grace had been especially manifested, on the side on which
they were connected with the flesh. The Hellenists (Jews born in Grecian or
heathen countries) murmur against the Hebrews (natives of Judea), because
the widows of the latter were favoured, as they imagined, in the
distribution of the goods bestowed on the assembly by its wealthier
members. But here the wisdom given by the Spirit meets the difficulty,
profiting by the occasion to give development to the work, according to the
necessities that were growing up; and seven persons are named to undertake
this business, for which the apostles would not forsake their own work. We
also find, in the case of Philip and Stephen, the truth of what Paul says:
"Those who have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a
good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
Observe here, that the apostles put prayer before preaching in their work,
their conflict with the power of evil being more especially carried on in
it, as well as their realisation of the power of God for the strength and
wisdom they needed; and, in order that they might act directly on God's
part, it was necessary that grace and unction should be maintained in their
hearts.
Observe also the grace that discovers itself under the influence of the
Spirit of God in this matter: all the names, as far as we can judge, are
those of Hellenists.
The influence of the word extended, and many priests were obedient to the
faith. Thus, until now, the opposition from without, and the evil within,
did but minister occasion to the progress of the work of God, by the
manifestation of His presence in the midst of the church. Take especial
notice of this fact. It is not only that the Spirit does good by His
testimony, but, although evil is there without and within, yet where power
displays itself, that evil does but bear witness to the efficacy of His
presence. There was evil, but there was power to meet it. Still it shewed
there was leaven even in the Pentecostal cake.
The energy of the Spirit manifests itself especially in Stephen, who is
full of grace and power. The Hellenist Jews oppose him; and, not being able
to answer him, they accuse him before the council, and in particular of
having announced in the name of Jesus the destruction of the temple and of
the city, and the change of the customs of their law. Here, observe, we see
the free power of the Holy Ghost, without any sending by any other to the
work, as in the apostles appointed by Christ Himself. It is not authority
in the apostles, it is not in the Jews of Palestine. He distributes to whom
He will. It is the godly and devoted Hellenist who renders the last
testimony to the heads of the nation. If priests believe on the one side,
Jews from without Judea bear testimony on the other, and prepare the way
for a still more extended testimony; but at the same time for the
definitive rejection, morally, of the Jews as the basis and centre of the
testimony, and of the work of gathering together. For as yet Jerusalem was
the centre of testimony and gathering. Peter had testified of a glorious
Christ promising His return on their repentance, and they had stopped His
testimony. Now judgment is pronounced on them by the Holy Ghost through the
mouth of Stephen, in whom they shew themselves open adversaries to this
testimony. It is not the apostles who, by official authority, break off
with Jerusalem. The free action of the Holy Ghost anticipates a breach,
which did not take place so as to form a part of the scripture narrative.
The thing is done by the power of God; and the taking up to heaven of the
witness raised up by the Spirit to denounce the Jews as adversaries, and to
declare their fallen condition, placed the centre of gathering in heaven
according to the Spirit-that heaven to which the faithful witness, who was
filled with the Spirit, had gone up. Already, while on earth, he had the
appearance of an angel to the eyes of the council who judged him; but the
hardness of their hearts would not let them stop in the path of hostility
towards the testimony rendered to Christ-a testimony which comes out here
in a special way as the testimony of the Holy Ghost.
