Speaking Their Language

Read: Acts 6:1-7 (Part 2)

Speaking Their Language

“…a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.” (v.1)

The Hellenist were Greek speaking Jews. We might be tempted to read this passage and think that the “Hebrews” were just being mean, or indifferent to the needs of these other widows in the community, but that does not seem to be the case. If we look back in the scriptures, we see no reason to think this way. The community is described as being “unified” and of “one heart and soul”. ( cf v.1:14, 4:32) We see that that went to one another’s houses, “ate with gladness”, and that there was “favor among them all”. (cf. v.2:46-47) This even carried over into the way the priests and religious leaders approached them. They noted the way that they were unified and not divided and against each other. (cf. v.4:21) In short, we have no real reason do read this as if something was being done maliciously. So what was the problem then? I think it was simply that they were not speaking each others “language”. As the ministry of the C/church was growing, there was a need to expand leadership and share more and more of the ministry with one another. Sometimes a huge hurdle is simply that we don’t speak another person's “language”.

This “language barrier” is obvious when it comes to other nationalities or countries, but it can happen within a country and between people of the same nationality just the same. Some disagreements ARE rooted in malice and selfishness, and those need to be addressed and called out for sure… but others are simply a matter of needing to learn to interpret what another person is saying. It is not always obvious at first. I don’t think the Hebrews were looking at these Hellenist widows and saying to one another, “ don’t give that old lady food!” I think it was something that was easily missed or overlooked. What we see here is that the Gospel of Christ is going to expand through different cultural barriers and as other cultures are brought into the family of God there will be the need to address the potential “language barrier”. I think there are three things that work together to bring resolution:

First off, the body of Christ needs to be unified enough that others feel comfortable bringing their concerns to one another. These Hellenist needed to feel loved and free enough to raise the concern. Notice how they were not meant with resentment or chastisement. I am sure there were some nerves around what would happen when they raised the complaint. The people of God must be gracious and forgiving enough to speak honestly with one another about the concerns and “complaints” that we have. It is also important to note that they were advocating for someone else… the “widows''… not selfishly campaigning for themselves. If we are ever going to experience the powerful unified ministry of the C/church as it is designed to function, it will require us being brave enough to seek out those we have an issue with, and loving share and seek resolution… not simply running away angry and gossiping about it to others! This also means we must be able to hear complaints from others and respond kindly. What “beef” do you have with the C/church today? What conflict have you been carrying around? Go today and graciously share with whomever you need to begin the process of restoring unity in the body of Christ. You will never move forward otherwise… and the community as a whole is hindered when we allow division and complaints to fester!

Secondly, we must seek to “hear” others… we must attempt to “speak their language”. As the Gospel transcends cultural, generational, and economic barriers will will need to learn other

“languages''. The starts by asking others, “what exactly do you mean by that? Help me understand what you are saying.” A great deal of division and hurt exists in the church because people are not willing to simply hear someone out and listen to what they are saying. There have been many times within the body of Christ where people were actually in agreement with one another, but because they were using different words… or saying the same things differently… they end up fighting with one another. When we feel offended, or as if someone is against us… or if we have a “concern” or “complaint”… let us start with simply listening to one another, and asking what is at the heart of the concern. It is very easy to ask, “what do you mean by that?” We may find out that as people share their hearts, that we are unified more than we think. What if we truly are after the same things as others, but have been divided because of misunderstandings and language barriers. This applies between genders, generational gaps, ethnic barriers, economic differences, rural vs. urban settings, academic vs. ``blue collar” settings, the list goes on and on. Inside the family of God, we must seek to speak each other's language… to hear what each other is saying… and to care about those who speak a different language. The Hebrews were not ok with the Hellenist widows being neglected! They sought immediately to fix that!

Finally, the body of Christ will continue to grow and this means that more and more people need to be empowered to minister and use their gifts. The Apostles knew that they needed to empower Hellenist to be able to lead and minister to the other Hellenist. The Apostles were not seeking to maintain control of all the leadership and power… they were seeking to use their gifts and empower others to participate as well. We will talk more about this, but in this instance what I want us to see is that Hellenist were empowered to minister to Hellenist. Sometimes we have to acknowledge that when we don’t speak the language, we may have to empower someone else who DOES to carry out that ministry. Not every “ministry” is our “ministry”. It is humbling to think, “I may not be the best one to do this”. Sometimes it is a matter of gifting, other times a matter of speaking the language.

Do you have a complaint with another brother or sister in Christ? An issue with the C/church? Let us launch into the new year with a clean slate! Seek resolution. Be willing to bring your concern to the person or church and work out the disagreement. Are you angry with another person or group of people? Could it actually be more of a language barrier than an actual disagreement? You might find out they are after the same things you are! Is there someone you need to ask “what do you mean by that? I don’t understand… can you help me? “ and then simply slow down and listen? It is not always malicious … sometimes it is

“lingual”. The enemy wants us to fill these gaps with distrust and animosity… and Christ wants resolution and unity. What will you cultivate this new year? Love you guys. - JDP