WEDNESDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2017 MORNING
Acts 6:1-6 New International Version (NIV)
The Choosing of the Seven
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
Footnotes:
- Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
A problem arose in the church. The 12 Apostles decided that a new category of workers was required to deal with this practical problem. The Apostles felt that their calling was to continue to be concerned with preaching and teaching. They chose other men to be Deacons to be concerned with administration and caring for the material needs of the poor. Notice that these men were also prayed for and commissioned for their task. In the church we need people with different gifts and abilities. Each one is important. Let us pray for one another and work together in harmony for the common good.
JUMATANO TAREHE 27 SEPTEMBA 2017 ASUBUHI
MATENDO 6:1-6
1 Hata siku zile wanafunzi walipokuwa wakiongezeka hesabu yao, palikuwa na manung'uniko ya Wayahudi wa Kiyunani juu ya Waebrania kwa sababu wajane wao walisahauliwa katika huduma ya kila siku.
2 Wale Thenashara wakawaita jamii ya wanafunzi, wakasema, Haipendezi sisi kuliacha neno la Mungu na kuhudumu mezani.
3 Basi ndugu, chagueni watu saba miongoni mwenu, walioshuhudiwa kuwa wema, wenye kujawa na Roho, na hekima, ili tuwaweke juu ya jambo hili;
4 na sisi tutadumu katika kuomba na kulihudumia lile Neno.
5 Neno hili likapendeza machoni pa mkutano wote; wakamchagua Stefano, mtu aliyejaa imani na Roho Mtakatifu, na Filipo, na Prokoro, na Nikanori, na Timoni, na Parmena, na Nikolao mwongofu wa Antiokia;
6 ambao wakawaweka mbele ya mitume, na walipokwisha kuomba wakaweka mikono yao juu yao.
Tunasoma kuhusu tatizo katika kanisa. Baadhi ya wajane walikosa msaada. Mitume waliona ni vema kuchagua watu wengine kushulikia jambo lile. Mitume waliendelea kuhubiri na kufundisha Neno la Mungu. Kwa hiyo kada mpya ya watumishi ilianzishwa, yaani Wadiakonia. Lakini hata hao walipaswa kuwa watu wa kiroho na waliombewa kwa ajili ya huduma hii.
Katika kanisa tunao watu wenye vipawa na huduma mbalimbali. Sote ni muhimu. Tufanyakazi pamoja kwa kushirikiana.
