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PEACEFUL DISPUTE RESOLUTION

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

DATE: FRIDAY, 30TH JUNE, 2023 

TOPIC: PEACEFUL DISPUTE RESOLUTION

TEXT: ACTS 6:1-15

1. Now in those days, when [the number of] the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
2. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3. "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;
4. "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
5.  And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
6.  whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
7.  Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8.  And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
9.  Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.
10.  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11.  Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."
12.  And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon [him,] seized him, and brought [him] to the council.
13.  They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;
14.  "for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us."
15.  And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.


MESSAGE: 
As the Early Church grew, their challenges also grew, especially in the area of attending to the needy among them. From our text today, there arose the problem of sharing daily provisions among the Greek-speaking Jews and Aramaic-speaking Jews. To settle the issues, the Apostles, led by the Holy Spirit, resolved to select seven reputable, God-fearing and Spirit-filled men from among the people to take up the responsibility. Stephen and six others were chosen to serve in this capacity. This became the foundation of the commissioning of Deacons in the Church.
It should be noted that the Apostles would not want to exchange the gospel with any other business (v.2). Rather, they committed themselves to prayers and teachings (v.4). Also, to settle the problem, they involved the people (v.3) and commissioned those that were chosen (vs. 5-6). Today, some believers are entangled with worldly affairs. They make no distinction between serving God and the world. While some are busier in the world than for God, some do not carry others along in dispute resolution. We should not sacrifice the ministry of the Word and prayers for anything. The Apostles have shown us the way and it is worthy that we emulate them.


PRAYER: 
Lord Jesus, make me an instrument of Your peace today, in Jesus' name. Amen

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