The Role of a Deacon Acts 6:1-15

Introduction

At the end of chapter 5 we see that the church continued to do what it was called to do despite the persecution and threatenings they had received from the religious leaders in Jerusalem.

As they continue to grow there are a few grumblings from amongst the members. The apostles came up with a plan to help with the day to day operation of the church.

This morning I want to look at the need for the deacon, the call of the deacon, and the introduction to Stephen.

The need for the deacon vs.1-4

“those days” is talking about the early days of the church. vs. 1a

In the early days as the church grew with disciples or followers of Jesus, there were some small grumblings amongst the members of the first church. The grecians were murmuring against the hebrews.

The Grecians- these were not ethnic Greeks, but Greek-speaking Jews probably with some ties to the Jews of the dispersion.

The Hebrews- This group were native to Israel and would’ve spoken Aramaic.

They were two different groups of people that saw things differently and seemed to have some different priorities. The Grecians would’ve been looked down on by the Hebrews

The Problem vs. 1b

The Grecians were upset at the Hebrews because there widows were neglected in the daily ministration

Ministration is talking about the office of a minister

They believed that the pastoral staff was neglecting the widows in the daily administration of the church.

The Apostles response vs. 2

They told them that there is no point in them doing a job that any spiritual person could do when they could do things that no one else could do.

It wasn’t a question of position but of priorities. It wasn’t as though the apostles thought it beneath their dignity to run errands for the church, it was simply a matter of putting first things first.

Serving tables was important, but the apostles knew that they couldn’t do everything, so they would concentrate on what they had been called to do — minister the word

The qualifications of the seven men vs. 3

They were told to look for seven men (This number would fluctuate depending on the size of the church)

They had to be of honest report

It wasn’t a popularity contest, it wasn’t about who gave the most tithe, or anything of that sort.

They had to have a good testimony both in and out of the church.

He had to have personal integrity, someone who avoided evil and one who had devoted himself to the well being of others.

They had to be full of faith and the Holy Ghost

They had to be a Godly man.

You can be a good man without being a Godly man, but you can’t be a Godly man without being a good man.

they had to be full of wisdom as well

reminder wisdom comes from God

These were the prerequisites to leadership in the church and still are

I’m thankful for our deacons Bro. Hunt, Bro. Tuggle and Bro. Whitley and how they serve the church selflessly behind the scenes never looking for the credit.

God has really blessed our church!

The role of the Apostles

They were to give themselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

Every person is called to pray and share in the ministry of the word (sharing the gospel etc.) but not all are called to give themselves wholly to such spiritual ministry.

Not every person is called to pastor, but we are all called to share the Gospel with those around us.

I think its important to remember that pastoring is not a profession that someone should enter into by personal preference, but one should be called by God and equipped by the Holy Spirit.

The Deacons chosen vs. 5-7

The idea pleased the whole multitude vs. 5a

They men they chose vs. 5b

Stephen- a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost (We will learn more about Stephen at the end of this chapter and chapter 7.

Philip - Gets called into evangelism Acts 8:5; 21:8

Prochorus - nothing really said about him

Nicanor

Timon

Parmenas

Nicolas - A proselyte from Antioch (meaning he wasn’t even a Jew)

The ordination of the men vs. 6

They were prayed over and had hand laid on them

This wasn’t a special anointing, but rather a setting apart of these men for the work of the church

The continued growth of the Church vs. 7

Because the Apostles were able to spend more time in the word, the Word of God increased vs 7

The number of disciples multiplied vs. 7

The word of God is a crucial part of making disciples, and because the apostles were able to spend more time in the Word they were able to make more disciples which is part of the great commission

Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Even the priests were coming to faith vs.7

There were many sincere and godly priests in Jerusalem like Zacharias and it is likely that those are the priests who converted to Christianity.

The word of God has power over every religion, over every strong hold, there is no one that the Word of God can’t reach.

The Introduction of Stephen vs. 8-15

Stephen vs. 8

A man full of faith and power (from the Holy Spirit)

He did great wonders and miracles among the people

Those against Stephen vs. 9

There was a group in a Synagogue that was of the Libertines which was a group of freed slaved. They were Cyrenians, alexandrians, some from Cilicia and some from Asia

They would of been very legalistic and attached to the Mosaic traditions, especially the temple worship.

This group was disputing with Stephen vs 9

The couldn’t resist his wisdom and the spirit by which he taught.

They would’ve been convicted by His teaching because of the power behind it.

They spread lies about his teaching

The Bible says they were suborned men

Procured to take a false oath, or to do a bad action.

They said he spoke blasphemous words against moses and against God.

They stirred the people up with their lies and arrested him on false charges.

Not only were they lying about Stephen, but they hired witnesses to lie about him as well.

they told the council that Stephen was blaspheming against the temple and the law

They even went so far to say that they heard him say that Jesus was going to destroy this place and change the customs of moses

Stephen’s accusers had to rely on false witnesses for their case, just as they had to do with Jesus.

Conclusion

God has set up the order of the church and he has given all of us a job to do, the bible compares it to a body and how every part of the body is important. If you haven’t found were you fit in the church I challenge you to pray and see what God wants for you.

We aren’t saved to sit, we are saved to serve.

If you’ve never trusted Christ as your saviour, that is the most important thing you can do. You only have this opportunity don’t let it pass.