Scripture Focus (Acts 6:1-7) – “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. [2] And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. [3] Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. [4] But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” [5] And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and
Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. [6] These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. [7] And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient
to the faith.”
I. The Church Became Stretched (Acts 6:1)
A. Stretched by good things (Acts 6:1a) – “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number…”
B. Stretched by negative things (Acts 6:1b) – “…a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because Their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution…”
Persecution, hypocrisy, and now murmuring; Attacks from outside & inside
C. Stretched by ministry demands – This weight and the associated murmuring threatened to divide the church!
II. The Leaders Responded with a Plan (Acts 6:2-6)
A. Communication (Acts 6:2a) – “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said…”
B. Illumination (Acts 6:2b) – “It is not reason {fit} that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.”
C. Delegation (Acts 6:3) – “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty…”
1. Spiritual integrity – “…of good repute…”
2. Spiritual intensity – “…full of the Spirit…”
3. Spiritual clarity – “…and of wisdom…”
4. Spiritual humility – “…whom we will appoint…”
5. Spiritual responsibility – “…to this duty.”
D. Expectation (Acts 6:4) – “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
The apostles were expected to give their best to intercession & instruction
E. Cooperation (Acts 6:5a) – “And what they said pleased the whole gathering…”
F. Organization (Acts 6:5b-6) – “…they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. [6] These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.”
III. The Results were Undeniable (Acts 6:7)
A. There was a greater effectiveness for the leaders (Acts 6:7a) – “And the word of God continued to increase…”
B. There were greater results in the church (Acts 6:7b) – “…the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem…”
C. There was a greater awakening in the community (Acts 6:7c) – “…and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”
IV. The Qualifications Became Clear (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. [9] They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. [10] And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. [11] Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. [13] For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
A. He must be respectable (8a) – “Deacons likewise must be dignified…”
Deacons are sacred servants in the Kingdom
B. He must be reliable (8b) – “…not double-tongued…”
C. He must be resistant (8c) – “…not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain…”
D. He must be exemplary (9) – “They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”
Living out the faith without hypocrisy or compromise
E. He must be examined (10) – “Let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless..”
F. He must be influential (11-12) – “Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but soberminded, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.”
“Their wives” – better translated as “the women”; this is likely not a reference to deacon’s wives but rather to female deacons, or deaconess. Romans 16:1-2 references Phoebe specifically as a Deacon in the original Greek language. This passage requires similar requirements for the women mentioned as it does to the males. There is no mention anywhere of any requirements for elders’ wives, so the concern for interpreting this to mean deacons’ wives instead of just women/females is raised. Third century church writings speak of female deacons as being normalized with their duties listed. Scholars also note that Euodia and Synteche in Philippians 4 are referred to in such a way that may have been concluded they
served as deaconesses
G. He must be inspirational (1 Timothy 3:13) – “For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”