Acts 6:1-7 The First Deacons Appointed
“…‘what must I do to be saved?’ They said,
‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” Acts 16:30-31 (NASB)
Key Verse(s) The godly solution – delegation of limited authority and division of labor Acts 6:3-5 (excerpts NASB) *Three criteria for men selected to serve as deacons “’Therefore, brethren, 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. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose…”
Key x-References – The two offices in the N.T. Church – Elder (Pastor) and Deacon
1 Timothy 3:8-13 (NASB) *Nine additional criteria for the selection of deacons “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 must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 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.”
Philippians 1:1 (NASB) *One clear reference to the 2nd office of deacon in the Church “Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons…”(2 church Offices pastor& deacon)
Matthew 20:26-28 (NASB) *The general biblical concept of servant-leadership
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Note: Even Jesus referred to Himself as a “servant” (v.28; cf. Philippians 2:5-7)
Key Terms (most words have a ‘field of meaning’ —> various translations) “serving” (v.1) Greek #1248 (34x), NASB diakonia (from #1249): service, ministry:– ministries (1), ministry (19), mission (1), preparations (1), relief (1), serve (1), service (7), serving (2), support (1)
“serve” (v.2) Greek #1247 (45x verb), NASB diakoneô (from #1249): to serve, minister:- administered (2), cared (1), contributing…support (1), do…the serving (1), employ…in serving (1), minister (3), ministered (2), ministering (3), servant (1), serve (4), serve as deacons (1), served (2), served as deacons (1), serves (5), services…rendered (1), serving (4), take care (1), wait (1), waited (3)
Note: cf. Greek root word #1249 – a “deacon” is a “servant” of the Body of Christ
“deacon or servant” (cf. Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Matthew 20:26; John 2:5) Greek #1249 (29x noun), NASB diakonos (Root word): a servant, minister:– deacons (3), minister (7), servant (10), servants (9)
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”
Acts 9:31 (NASB)
The Book of Acts Series #16 11/14/21
The Birth and Expansion of the Church of Jesus Christ “…you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NASB)
Introduction – The transitional nature of the Book of Acts 1:1-5 I. Christian witness in Jerusalem 1:6-8:3
A. The Risen Lord – The 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection & ascension 1:6-26 B. Pentecost – Outpouring of the Holy Spirit – The birthday of the Church 2:1-47 C. Healing the lame man in the Temple, Peter’s 2nd Sermon 3:1-26
D. The beginning of persecution 4:1-37
E. Purging from within, more persecution from without 5:1-41
- Ananias & Sapphira – Don’t try to lie to God—it doesn’t work! 5:1-11 2. The apostles’ 2nd run-in with the Jewish authorities 5:12-32
- Gamaliel’s wise counsel – for then and now —> Deliverance 5:33-41
F. Choosing co-laborers – The first deacons 6:1-7 (#16/14th) 1. Finding godly solutions to problems in the Church (6:1-6)
a. The reason for the appointment of deacons – The disciples’ complaint 6:1 b. The apostles’ solution – The appointment of the 1st deacons 6:3-4
c. The apostles’ plan approved by the congregation 6:5; cf. Acts 15:)
d. The apostolic ordination of the 1st seven deacons 6:6 - Resolution of the problem enabled the Church’s continued growth 6:7
G. Stephen, the first martyr 6:8-8:3
II. Christian witness in Palestine and Syria 8:4-12:25
A. The Christians Scattered 8:4-40
B. The Conversion of Paul 9:1-31
C. The Conversion of Gentiles 9:32-11:30
D. The Christians Persecuted by Herod 12:1-25
III. Christian witness to the uttermost part of the earth 13:1-28:31 A. The First Missionary Journey 13:1-14:28
B. The Council at Jerusalem 15:1-35
C. The Second Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22
D. The Third Missionary Journey 18:23-21:26
E. The Journey to Rome 21:27-28:27 Conclusion 28:28-31
Key Verse(s) – Finding godly solutions for problems in the Church – The “complaint” Acts 6:1-2 (NASB) *The reason for delegating limited authority within the Church “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, 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. So the twelve 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.’” Note: cf. “put in charge” (v.3)
“…the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52 (NASB)