The First Seven Deacons

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. 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. 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. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 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. - Acts 6:1-7

    As we have already seen, the church at Jerusalem grew in a very short time from 120 to several thousand members. This early church, though a great multitude, was a community of love and care. They had all things in common. Many sold their estates and gave the money to the church. There were also many in the congregation who were poor. These poor ones, particularly the fatherless and the widows, were clothed, fed and housed from church funds. But a problem arose. Some of the Grecian widows were being neglected (or at least thought they were), not receiving an equal share of financial support with those widows from Judea (6:1). Several things in this passage deserve our attention.

    First, though the church suffered much persecution, it continued, by the grace of God, to grow. Like Israel in Egypt, the more it was afflicted, the more it multiplied. The work of God, the cause of Christ and the success of the gospel cannot be hindered by man, or even by hell itself (Matt. 16:18).

    Secondly, when the church increased, strife and discord arose from within. Until now they had been of one accord (Acts 1:14; 2:1,46; 4:24; 5:12). They had been one in heart, mind and purpose, serving the interests of Christ and one another. But when they began to multiply, their unity was marred. They increased in numbers, but not in joy. Like Abraham and Lot, when the family increased, there was strife. 'There arose a murmuring,' not an open falling out, but a petty strife, nurtured by selfishness and pride (Prov. 16:28; 17:14,19; 26:21; 28:25).

    Thirdly, of all things, the complaint was about money! It is a great pity that the insignificant things of this world should ever cause strife between those who profess to be taken up with the far greater things of the world to come. Yet this evil is so often repeated that it must not be ignored. 'The love of money is the root of all evil' (1Tim. 6:10). It blinds the eye and perverts the judgement of men (Exod. 23:8). Husbands and wives quarrel more often about money than anything else. When family members fall out with one another it usually has something to do with money or other earthly possessions. Most church splits begin with strife about money. How sad!

    Fourthly, no church has ever been pure and perfect, and no church in this world ever will be. Any congregation of believers will, from time to time, have problems to face, deal with and overcome. Never forsake the church of God, or the local church to which you belong, because a problem arises. Instead, work together with God's saints to overcome the problem. Husbands and wives do not break up the family because of a quarrel over some trivial matter. Neither should we allow petty differences to break up the household of faith. Let us rather yield to one another and serve one another (Phil. 2:1-5; Eph. 4:1-6).

    In order to solve the problem and to prevent such problems in the future, the apostles, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, established a new office in the church, the office of deacon. Acts 6:1-7 records the establishment of this office.

    We should note that the apostles did not simply invent an office in the church as a matter of expediency. They did what they did under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit. Unlike the choosing of Matthias to be an apostle, this was an act inspired of God. We know that it was, because it is confirmed in the epistles. We have no authority to invent offices in the church and appoint people to fill them.

    These first seven deacons were chosen to meet a specific need in the church. Seven were chosen because seven were needed, but that certainly does not imply that every church needs seven deacons.

    Why was the deacon's office established?

    God ordained this office in his church for one specific and noble reason: deacons are to relieve their pastors of all secular, worldly concerns, so that those who preach the gospel may give themselves entirely to the ministry of the Word (l Tim.4:12-16; 2 Tim. 2:4;4:1-5; Acts 6:2-3). No man can properly give himself to more than one weighty employment. Therefore the churches of God have deacons whose responsibility it is to see that their pastors have no need to concern themselves with mundane affairs. Deacons must take care to see that the material needs of the pastor and his family are met. Deacons are to make certain that the church property and church members are cared for properly. Deacons are to distribute the church's funds for the ministry of the Word and the care of the poor (1 Cor. 16:2). Deacons are servants. They serve tables, the Lord's table, the pastor's table, the tables of God's saints.

    How were the first deacons chosen?

    Without doubt, the church at Jerusalem met in several congregations scattered throughout the area. The apostles called together the preachers from these congregations and instructed them to choose from among the saints of God 'seven men of good report'. Then those men were ordained to the work. This much is certain: the deacons were all men; they were chosen in compliance with the apostles' instructions; they were chosen from among the members of the church; and they were permanently ordained in the office, not installed for a short term.

    What kind of men were the deacons to be?

    The Word of God clearly describes the character of those men who may properly be ordained to the office of deacon. They are not to be chosen upon the basis of friendship, but of faithfulness. Carefully read Acts6:3and 1Timothy 3:8-12. These two passages tell us what the qualifications of a deacon are. No man should ever be placed in this high office who does not meet the qualifications given in the Word of God.

    What is the work for which deacons are ordained?

    The word 'deacon' means 'servant'. A deacon is a man who serves Christ's church, the interests of the gospel and the pastor who proclaims the gospel to him. As the first seven deacons were chosen to relieve the apostles of the burden of caring for the poor, so it is the work of deacons to do whatever they can to relieve their pastor of any burden or care that would in any way distract him from the preaching of the gospel.

    What effect did the service of these seven deacons have upon the church of Christ and the ministry of the gospel?

    Because of the quiet, unassuming, faithful service of these first seven deacons, the Word of God increased and many of God's elect were converted (6:7). The gospel was preached where it could not have been preached, if these men had not relieved the apostles. And the church of God grew. Faithful deacons are an asset to any congregation and to any pastor's labours. Pastors, elders and deacons, together with the membership of the local church, work together in the cause of Christ. Deacons who serve faithfully in this office earn the respect and esteem of their pastor and of the church (1 Tim. 3:13).