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Biblical Deacons
Biblical Deacons
Acts 6:1-8
The power of the Holy Spirit has caused great growth to come to the church Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
The book of Acts is the story of the power of the Holy Spirit to witness and win souls Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. There were only 120 people counting women in the upper room Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
The day of Pentecost 3000 people accept Jesus as their Savior Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The Lord Jesus begins to add to the church every day Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
5000 men accept Christ without mentioning the women or children that also accepted Jesus Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Great numbers are added to the church of both men and women Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
The number of believers multiplied Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
The church may have had as many as 25,000 members
Growth causes problems Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Murmuring and divisions
People--problems are not being taken cared for
The pastors couldn’t meet all the needs of the church
The pastors did not have time for prayer, message preparation because they had to be too busy counseling brethren and listening to complaints
Their priorities had turned from the spiritual ministry to the carnal needs
The first deacons will be added to solve problems for the pastors of the church
These men will be there to help the apostles do the job God called them to do, helpers, servants
The proposal Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
The apostles spoke to the church with an idea, a proposal
Like in the days of Moses when he delegated part of his authority to others to help him lead and judge Israel Exodus 18
Look out among you 7 men that can be appointed over this business
The pastors were going to dedicate themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
The purpose Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
They would be able to dedicate all their energy to the word of God, prayer, and ministry
The men of God would be able to be completely in the work
Notice they did not have deacons when they organized the church but they come now to have deacons when there is a need for their service
Steps for choosing deacons
The pastors saw the need, it was their idea to have deacons Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
They make a proposal to the church Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
The pastors gave the requirements, they were not chosen because of their popularity or their money Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
They were brethren from within the church
The church chose the deacons under the conditions given by the pastors Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
The pastors approved the deacons Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
The pastors laid hands on the men in front of everyone (ordination) Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Their ministry
Serve tables
Work that was assigned them by the pastors
Take care of the widows
Free the hands of the pastor
Take care of the pastor
The reward
The word grows Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The church multiplies greatly
Even the Jewish priests began to accept Christ
Everyone was doing their part