Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
When I suggested that the appointment of deacons was being dismissed “out of hand” I was pointing at the fact that only a negative motive followed by more negative considerations were given. But the account does not indicate a problem with doing it, but a problem if it was not. We need more than supposition to make the kind of remarks about the apostles and elders that YP was suggesting.
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You say there was a problem if they didn't appoint 7 deacons? Were there any other options? Yes, there was a problem, grumbling Hellenists, unfed and unwatered, but was appointing 7 deacons the only solution available? (And YP is not saying negative motives were the issue (ambition, eg) but rather the problem was ignorance combined with good intentions).
You are acting as if they only had 2 options: a) do nothing, or b) appoint 7 deacons. And there is seems to be an unspoken and unchallenged assumption that if that worked out favorably there(it did; see verse 7), the solution henceforth and forevermore is "appoint more deacons".
I raise the questions because it seems there is a general decline by the end of the Bible, subsequent history shows this trend continuing, and I am curious as to why. In my view, everything is open to questioning.
But rather than asking, "was this wrong" which might understandably raise hackles, how about asking, "If I was there, and I wanted to be at the right hand or left of the ascended and glorified Master in His kingdom, what should I do?"
Of course, I would have many options. I would run into many scenarios on my path, like grumbling Hellenists, and would have a multitude of options to choose from. One of them is to deptutize, to appoint: "Moses got deputies to handle the small cases, why can't I?"
Well, let me tell ya, the
Last Thing I'd do, is appoint deacons and elders. Of course, I have the hindsight of history, and history tells me it didn't work out so well.
Suppose I'm madly ambitious. I am "Hitler-level" ambitious; I am Napoleon-esqe in my ambitions (Actually, this is common in every age -- look at Alexander the Great, look at Nebuchadnezzar). My ambition is nothing less than to be "top dog": to sit next to Jesus at the Heavenly Banquet. Okay, what do I do?
Well, I know what I don't do. I don't organize. Didn't work then. Won't work now.
Okay, okay, I'm still leaning negatively. Positives, lad! Think positively! Well, number one, pray. "God, I'm helpless. Help me get home to the Father". Something like that. Like Solomon prayed, not for riches but wisdom. Like Elisha: "I want a double portion (a 7-fold portion?) of the Spirit".
So, number one, prayer. Check. We got that one at Pentecost (the 10 days prior; praying in one accord). They clearly got the prayer thing down good.
Okay, number two. Announce the good news. Well, that one seems well taken. Look at Peter's 2 public sermons. Thousands saved. Massive salvation taking place. Okay, check. We're looking good.
Three: "Don't organize". It will eventually quench the Spirit.
I would argue that if they hadn't organized then we wouldn't be here typing about the problems of Witness Lee and the local churches. The kingdom would have long since appeared, "like lightning from east to west." But their misstep is our opportunity.
Of course, I can't prove that. But I do know one thing clearly: they organized, and Jesus still hasn't returned. Instead we have multiple, competing organizations (Babylon, anyone?) and no returned Messiah.
Lest I seem overly harsh -- well, they are gone, and the Lord hasn't yet returned. What do we do? More of what's occurred over the last 2,000 years? Or do we have other options here?