The First Deacons

Introduction

Opener

If you will, please open up your Bibles to Acts 6.

Just last month, we installed 7 new deacons for the next year: Sharon Willett; Chris Duncan; Jackie Durban; Joshua Layson; Olivia Goben; Jimmy Cox; Lindsey Schaffter.

Here at Morganfield Christian Church, our deacons are truly servants and other than being able to vote on the Church Board their focus is on serving the congregation.

Reading straight from our constitution, “The Deacons are responsible for promoting the growth and welfare of the congregation through service. They will serve by assisting the congregation in worship services, assisting the Elders in the serving of the Lord's Supper, receiving offerings and tithes, assisting with baptisms, assisting with worship and gatherings at the church.”

While our deacons do much more than that, I believe that first sentence to be the most important, “The Deacons are responsible for promoting the growth and welfare of the congregation through service.”

At MCC, deacons are a representative of you, the congregation, meant to serve you, help inspire your growth, and to provide aid, reasonable aid, to you in times of need.

To be a deacon is to really do what we each should be doing in our congregations without having to be labeled, but by accepting the label of deacon, the reality is that you have publicly acknowledged before God and man that you fit the qualifications and that you have been or will preform the duties of a deacon as outlined in Scripture.

And as a church that seeks to hold fast to the Word, when installing our 7 new deacons, as Elders should, we considered what Scripture had to say about the role, which leads to questions such as:

When was the role of deacon first established by the church?

Why was the role of deacon created?

Who were the first deacons?

Why were they chosen to be the first deacons?

Are there any other Scriptures in the Word where other deacons are found?

Are there any other Scriptures where qualifications for deacons are outlined or discussed?

Do those who have been nominated fit the role of deacon as outlined in Scripture?

When God’s Word is the foundation of the church and you have been placed in leadership or have the ability to vote on your leadership you have to make sure that when you are placing people in roles such as deacon that you look to God’s Word for guidance and that is what we here at Morganfield Christian Church strive to do, although I am sure there are times and will be times where our interpretation might fall short, my prayer is that in those times that God will correct us swiftly.

Main Point of the Text (MPT):

In the book of Acts, the time has finally arrived for the early church to appoint their first deacons and in our Scripture for today we will read of the need for deacons, the qualifications for deacons, and how the first deacons were installed.

When we left off last Sunday, Acts 5:42 informed us that following the flogging and release of the apostles by the Council that every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ despite having been warned not to speak in the name of Jesus once again (Acts 5:40-42).

It will be here in Acts 6 that we will read as Luke will continues to inform us of the growing pains of the early church as instead of the church dispersing and coming to nothing such as Gamaliel suggested it might (Acts 5:36), that God was still growing it and nothing could stop that, because as Gamaliel also told the Council, if it is of God then not even they would be able to stop them (Acts 5:39).

And so, if you are able please stand for the reading of God’s Word as we continue to expand our knowledge of the early church.

Scripture Reading: Acts 6:1-7

Prayer

Body

Point 1: Need for Deacons

Scripture: Acts 6:1–2

Explanation:

As Luke informed us, regardless of the best efforts of the Council to halt the teaching and preaching of Jesus as the Christ from the apostles, most likely hoping that their following might come to nothing due to their jealously, it didn’t as verse 1 tells us that the disciples, those following the apostles teachings of Jesus, were increasing in number.

All the while, we read that a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

Who were these Hellenistic Jews and who were native Hebrews?

In order to keep this simple, the Hellenistic Jews, otherwise known as the Hellenists, were Jews who had adopted some aspects of the Greek culture and way of life, a result from the diaspora, while maintaining their religious traditions. They often spoke Greek due to living among the Gentiles, who spoke the Greek language. They were often considered as outsiders and were jealous of the native Hebrews.

The native Hebrews, otherwise known as Hebraic Jews, were Jews that had remained in Judea, near Jerusalem, who used the Hebrew language. They prided themselves on the fact that they had always lived in Isreal and used the language that their ancestors spoke. They had always resided near Jerusalem and so they lived near the temple, worshipping there often.

And so it seems, that despite their conversion to Christianity and the unity it inspired, Satan tried to divide them, taking advantage of the situation using the previous issues they had with one another, that issue most likely being jealousy, as the Hellenist believed the Hebrews widows were being treated better because they noticed that their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

The care of widows being an important part of the Jewish life, and per our situation here, still holding importance to the groups following their conversion to Christianity.

That is when the twelve apostles, being the original 11 and the newly added Matthias from the end of Acts 1, summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

Notice the word used to describe the disciples they summoned, a congregation, the Greek word here being plēthos (play-thos) meaning multitudes of people.

And so, due to the increase of their disciples, they summoned this congregation of disciples, multitudes of disciples, and informed them that it was not desirable for them to neglect the the word of God in order to serve tables.

When first reading this, I am sure to some might see this as a rather arrogant statement or would cause the disciples to be like, who do these guys think they are, but we mustn't think this way.

No matter how I tried to rephrase this statement from them using the Greek, it still sounds arrogant to those who do not combine this with other Scripture, but let me put it into perspective using 1 Corinthians 12 and our church as an example.

Application:

1 Corinthians 12 speaks to the use of spiritual gifts, before Paul’s list, beginning in verse 4 he tells us that “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all person. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”, and then begins to list the following gifts:

The word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, prophecy, discerning of spirits, various kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues, gifts of helping, and gifts of administration.

I do not wish to expand on this list, for each should have their own sermon, but I do wish to to read the sentence following the list, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”

God has and will distribute such gifts to those as He wills and some will have gifts while others do not.

This does not mean we should covet for each others gifts, seeking to find some way to receive that gift if it is not meant to be ours, but rather use the gifts God has bestowed upon us to glorify Him and for the twelve, God had bestowed the gifts of prayer and ministry of the word as we will read of in just a moment, but to the seven men that were to be selected, He had other gifts in mind for them, some that were prerequisites or qualifications to becoming a deacon and some that would come following their new role.

This leads me to my second point...

Point 2: Qualifications for Deacons

Scripture: Acts 6:3-4

Explanation:

Following the statement that it is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables by the twelve in our previous point, the word therefore is used as it is often used in Scripture, therefore if the last statement is true, then you (brethren) must...select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

And so, out of the congregation of disciples, the twelve have told them to select seven disciples whom fit the following qualifications:

They are to choose men: There is no reason given behind why the seven were to be men, but it is something one might question due to the office of deacon being filled with both men and women in future passages.

Perhaps at this time, the best candidates were that of men.

They must be of good reputation: They must be known amongst the other disciples and outsiders as men whom if spoken of, were spoken well of or in other words if someone were to testify to the character of these men, they would be able to report of the good they have bore witness of when in their presence.

This would have meant that the other disciples would be able to have to confidence and respect for the man who is chosen to fulfill this role.

They must be full of the Spirit: To be full of the Spirit means that they understand where their power comes from to serve as the Holy Spirit directs and empowers them in their service to others as we will see throughout the book of Acts (Acts 4:31; 6:10).

Even when the task is just serving tables, the Holy Spirit’s gifts are able to aid in the efforts of the seven as they minister to the widows they served.

It is important that these men be spiritually minded, able to apply their spirit given gifts to every situation, looking to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

They must be full of wisdom: Wisdom is a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:8) and believe it or not, some people do not have that gift, but these men must.

These men would be working with the different groups such as the Hellenists and Hebrews. They must use their wisdom to handle issues such as the one the church faces in this passage understanding that their wisdom comes from God through the Holy Spirit.

Just as it was important for these men to be spiritually minded, they must be practically minded as well, able to apply effective solutions to real world problems through the use of logic or common sense.

They must be put in charge of this task: They must assume the role of a leader and have the characteristics of a leader.

Not all people are meant to lead.

Being able to lead was important because the apostles wanted these men to take charge over this task, not just be the mediator.

They would have to make decisions, handle tense situations, and use the Spirit combined with their wisdom to come up with solutions that although the apostles more than likely wouldn’t get involved in, if they did, they would be able to see the solution as one that represented the church well.

This role wasn’t for everyone.

As for the twelve, the word but denotes that instead of serving tables they will devote themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

Praying and spreading the gospel were of utmost importance for the apostles in the early church, with the numbers of the church increasing, they were to make sure that they were in constant prayer for the congregation and that they had ministered to gospel to them as that was their mission given to them by Jesus in Acts 1:8, that they use the power of the Holy Spirit that was given to them by the Father to be His witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

They knew that if they were to focus on this that they wouldn’t have the time to wait tables, but that they could delegate that tasks to those who did.

This showed that they to where full of the Spirit as they recognized their ministry given to them by the Holy Spirit was to pray and to teach and preach the gospel whilst He worked through these seven men in their ministry of service.

It also showed that they were full of wisdom as they understood the type of person this role needed, and thus provided the disciples with a list of important characteristics, practical characteristics, for them to consider when selecting the seven.

Application:

As I just mentioned, this role wasn’t for everyone, and that rings true even in our congregation.

There is one other place, of which was read when we installed our deacons here at MCC was read, allow me to read it to you now:

I fell I should be abundantly clear, even our deacons, even myself, cannot hold to this list perfectly although we must try and our congregation must be able to acknowledge our efforts as we live them out, but if we are to be called out for living a life contrary to these lists, may we not become upset but may we carefully consider whether we should be in our position or not.

1 Timothy 3:8-13:

Men: “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”

Women: “Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

Men: Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.

You must consider the seriousness of this role: For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

This role was not meant for everyone, not everyone can enjoy serving others which doing it with the qualities outlined here in God’s Word, but the deacon must as it is what God expects of them.

But as I said, should these not be qualities that we all possess?

Not lacking dignity, not being double-tongued, not being addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain?

Should we not hold to the mystery of the faith, that is the gospel, with a clear conscience?

Must we not be tested?

Must we not live above reproach?

Much we not be malicious gossips, being temperate, faithful in all things?

Must we not be married to only one person and good managers of our children in our households?

Are we not to be held to a higher standard than when we lacked belief?

The answer to these questions is for you to figure out, asking yourself, who has God called me to be?

And just like we did here at MCC, following our discussions with those of whom we choose to be our deacons about the qualifications they must meet or at least strive to meet, we held a service to install them, mimicking what we read in our Scripture for today...

Point 3: Installation of Deacons

Scripture: Acts 6:5-7

Explanation:

Beginning in verse 5, Luke informs us that the congregation of disciples approved of the statement from the twelve.

And just as I listed our deacons at the beginning of this sermon, Luke does the same for the seven that were chosen, those being: Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

One thing to note is that out of the seven, three had Greek names: Stephen, Phillip, and Prochorus.

Meaning that these men were likely Hellenists and so it shows the care and sensitivity to the Hellenists by appointing those who were Hellenists to aid in taking care of their widows.

A very wise decision and something that even we can learn from today when making decisions.

Verse 6 enlightens us on the actions taken by the congregation concerning the seven, these men were brought before the them; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

The congregation, upon finding the seven men to fulfill the role (which many refer to as the role of the first deacons) that the apostles needed filled, they brought these men were brought before the them.

This congregation was saying that these are the seven men that we believe to be the best to provide for the need and most qualified to have this role.

They would stand behind these men and support them as they accept this role.

This is why when we installed the deacons here at MCC that there was a component that included you as the congregation where you agreed to receive the deacons the elders had recommended that you had voted for, respect them for the sake of their office, and promised to encourage and pray for them, to labor together in obedience to the gospel for the unity, purity, and peace of the church, the welfare of the whole world, and the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ.

My prayer is that you took that seriously when we did that.

After they were presented the twelve prayed and laid their hands on them.

This to is something that we did as well as we prayed over them during their installation service.

Many of us should understand by what I have already said in this sermon by now about the roles and responsibilties of a deacon on why they need prayer.

Our deacons need your prayers and most likely covet your prayers as they serve this church.

Paul urges us that that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, especially our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1).

It says that as they prayed they laid their hands on them. What does this mean?

Throughout Scripture, the laying on of hands have both positive and negative reasons behind it.

The negative would be when laying on of hands was used to refer to inflicting harm on someone (Genesis 22:12; 37:22; Exodus 7:4; etc.) such as in Leviticus 24:14 when the laying on of hands was a way for a blasphemer to be identified so that they may be stoned.

It was also used by priests who would lay their hands upon the animals they were sacrificing as apart of the consecration process to signify the transfer of sins and guilt to the animal (Exodus 29:10).

But here, the laying on of hands would be for positive reasons, as the laying on of hands here, as mentioned to be used multiple times in Acts (Acts 8:16-19; 9:17-18; 13:3; etc.), and as mentioned as one of the six teachings found in Hebrews 6, would be a way the church used to pass a blessing to a recognized leader (Numbers 8:10) such as when God instructed Moses to lay his hands on Joshua to commission him formally as the new leader of the nation (Numbers 27:18).

This laying on of hands is a visible sign that these seven men were publicly marked as the first to fulfill these roles as they began a new formal ministry in the church, recognizing them before men so that they might serve along side them and before God so that He might bless them in their duties.

The result, “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).

Application:

Thus began the role of deacons in the church, a very important and needed position, outlined by qualifications that each in the role must possessed, following by a public declaration from the few that God has chosen to fill it to live a life according to the Scripture that surrounds it.

But again, I caution you to not allow yourself to be placed in a position that you do not feel called to be in, the Holy Spirit will let you know as He distributes your gift to you.

I love how 1 Corinthians 12 reads near its end, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.”

This being a great reminder that whether you occupy the pulpit, whether you hold a mic, whether you sit in a pew, that for each God has a purpose, and as Paul tells us, “just as He desired”.

Altar Call