The First Deacons

Acts 6:1–7 LSB

1 Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying in number, there was grumbling from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 “Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need. 4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.” 5 And this word pleased the whole congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they stood before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Introduction:

There are two phrases that I hear often that could be the deathblow to this Church. 1. “We ain’t ever done it that way before.” 2. “The other churches around here don’t do it that way.”

There is safety in tradition. But there is also restriction in tradition. We must ensure our traditions line up with the Word! The only hope for the Christian Church is that we follow the Word of Christ!

As we study the office of a Deacon today, we must check our tradtional understanding with the Scripture!

In many ways, the book of Acts is the second volume of the history of Christianity. Luke wrote his gospel to reveal the foundation of the Christian doctrine by recording the life and ministry of Christ. Luke wrote the book of the Acts of the Apostles to reveal the establishment of the Christian Church as we know it today. Today, we will see how the Church choose leadership in the Church.

1. The Church was experiencing growing pains.

Acts 6:1 LSB

1 Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying in number, there was grumbling from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

The church is growing faster than ever before!

Acts 5:14 LSB

14 And more than ever believers in the Lord were added to their number, multitudes of men and women,

As the Church is growing, people are being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

The church has commited to take care of each other in chapter 4.

Acts 4:32–35 LSB

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one was saying that any of his possessions was his own, but, for them, everything was common. 33 And with great power the apostles were bearing witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Note: The church has obligated itself to tend to the needs of their own people. Let this be another clear evidence of the need for Church membership. Yes. we should help any widow or person in need. But the church is obligated to give special attention to their own! They can only do this if there is some kind of record of who is in the church!

2. The Elders were transparent with the Church.

Acts 6:2 LSB

2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

Even though the Apostles themselves were overseeing the church, it is evident that he Church was not being Shepherding well!

They did not rebuke those who were complaining! They called a meeting and made the complainers a part of the solution!

The area of tension was over physical issues, not spiritual. But to give full attention to one is to neglect the other.

Either the widows would be overlooked, or the Word of God. Which is acceptable?

The only logical conclusion is delegating responsibility.

3. The Church selected qualified men.

Acts 6:3 LSB

3 “Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need.

The office of Deacon is not a figurehead symbolic position. (Not just a voting board member.)

It is not a Sunday only position. Or once a month meeting title.

It was a 7 day a week responsibility to ensure the physical needs of the church were being met! (They may not have done everything themselves. But they were responsible to ensure the job was done.) This is an overview of the qualifications:

Men. (Male) This did not used to be controversial. But it is very clear that they chose male leadership in the church. (All twelve Apostles were men, all Deacons were men, and every Elder mentioned by name in Scripture was a man.)

Good reputation.(A good name and testimony)

Full of the Spirit and wisdom. (A healthy walk with God, and familiar with His Word.)

Paul writes more extensively about the qualifications of Elders and Deacons. We will expound these texts in the coming weeks.

Note: 1. The Church had its part—to look out the seven most suitable men, a work requiring inquiry, good judgment, and responsibility.

2. The apostles had their part.

(1) They originated the election. The suggestion for new officers came from them, not from the members; and they, not the members, called the Church together for the purpose.

(2) They directed the election, describing the character of the men to be elected.

(3) They confirmed the election. The men the Church elected were set before the apostles for ordination. Had they not, however, been up to the standard, the apostles had assuredly the right of rejection.

Conclusion:

1. The Elders were able to focus on the spiritual needs of the Church.

Acts 6:4 LSB

4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.”

This isn’t to say they completely handed over the physical needs of the people. Just the primary focus on the subject.

The Elders are still responsible for the ministry of the Church. They simply delegated this area of ministry to the Deacons.

We read in Acts 11 that the Elders still were active in benevolence ministry.

Acts 11:29–30 LSB

29 And as any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the service of the brothers living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

2. The Church was in unity again!

Acts 6:5–6 LSB

5 And this word pleased the whole congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they stood before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

Notice: These are all Greek names. Not one Hebrew Christian was chosen. It was as if the Hebrews Christians said, “We trust you to take care of our widows better than we took care of yours. Let’s set aside the division!”

3. The Church became efficient again!

Acts 6:7 LSB

7 And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

The Message Spread!

The Church grew!

Many Priests were becoming obedient to the faith! (Was this connected to the issues of Deacons?

FINAL WORDS: A balanced church, with gifted men in recognized positions of authority, will thrive and function on all cylinders. An unbalanced church will a breeding ground for murmuring, burn out, and people being overlooked.

However, it is better to have a vacancy than to prematurely fill a position. We must seek out biblically qualified men!

The Lord leads His Church. His position is not vacant! We must trust Him!

We will look at the office of Elder next week.