Correct Option: B. They appointed deacons to oversee the process Detailed Explanation: In the early Christian community, as described in the Book of Acts in the New Testament, the distribution of resources to the needy was a significant concern. The early church was characterized by a strong sense of community and shared resources, but as the number of believers grew, so did the challenges in managing these resources effectively.

1. Context of the Decision:
2. In Acts 6:1-7, we see that the early church faced a problem where the Hellenistic Jews (those who spoke Greek) felt that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. This situation highlighted the need for a more organized approach to resource distribution.
3. The Solution:
4. To address this issue, the apostles gathered the community and proposed a solution. They decided to appoint seven men, known as deacons, who were full of the Spirit and wisdom. This decision was made to ensure that the apostles could focus on prayer and the ministry of the word while the deacons would handle the practical aspects of resource distribution.
5. Role of Deacons:
6. The deacons were responsible for overseeing the distribution of food and resources to those in need, ensuring fairness and efficiency. This structure allowed the church to maintain its mission and spiritual focus while also caring for the physical needs of its members.
7. Outcome:
8. The appointment of deacons not only resolved the immediate issue but also contributed to the growth of the church. Acts 6:7 states that the number of disciples increased rapidly, indicating that the church was able to function more effectively with this new system in place.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

• A. They left it to chance and luck:
• This option is incorrect because the early Christian community was not characterized by randomness or lack of organization. They took deliberate steps to ensure that resources were distributed fairly and responsibly.
• C. They gave everything to the apostles for distribution:
• While the apostles were involved in the distribution of resources initially, the problem arose because they could not manage it alone as the community grew. The establishment of deacons was a direct response to the need for a more structured approach, indicating that simply giving everything to the apostles was not a sustainable solution.
• D. They relied on the guidance of local rulers:
• This option is also incorrect because the early Christian community operated independently of local rulers in terms of their internal governance. They sought to resolve their issues within the community itself, relying on their own members rather than external authorities.

Revision Summary:

• The early Christian community appointed deacons to manage the distribution of resources to the needy, ensuring fairness and efficiency.
• This decision was made in response to complaints about neglect in resource distribution, particularly among Hellenistic widows.
• The role of deacons allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and ministry, contributing to the church's growth.
• The community's approach was organized and intentional, rather than random or reliant on external authorities.