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Seven Deacons Chosen 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. Two cultures existed in the early church at Jerusalem: the native born Jews who spoke and understood Aramaic and Jews of Greek origin who did not. Human nature being what it is, conflict was inevitable. The church had all things common at this point and either food or money was passed out daily, as a person had need. The Greek widows who couldn’t speak the common language were neglected and overlooked and as a result a division was created between the two groups. We know that Satan will use anything he possibly can to cause division. No doubt spirits of hatred, variance, envy, jealousy, emulation and gossip were some of his weapons here (Gal. 5:19-20). 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. 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. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. The apostles met the problem head on with decisive action. It wouldn’t be fitting that they should neglect prayer and the ministry of the word of God for administrative tasks such as waiting tables. They called the whole assembly together and gave them the responsibly to choose seven men of good report who were full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. Everybody has access to the various gifts of the Spirit (I Cor. 12:11) that are given for the edification of the body of Christ. Among these are the gifts of helps and governments (I Cor. 12:28). The person who cleans the church bathrooms is just as important to the body of Christ than those with more visible gifts. We all have something that is needed in the body of Christ. Our gifts may be unnoticed by man but never by God (Mal. 3:17). Acts 6: 5 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: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. It is noteworthy that the seven men that the assembly chose all had Greek names. This seems to show that a spirit of reconciliation was working among the group. Even though the apostles let the congregation do the selecting of the seven, they did not sacrifice their authority (Hebrews 13:7,17,24) by doing so. The choices were subject to the approval of the apostles who confirmed those chosen by the laying on of hands. 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. This division, if ignored could have sidetracked and greatly damaged the infant church at Jerusalem. How many churches have we seen destroyed over similar situations? How many moves of God have been hindered by spirits of envy and jealousy? How many denominations do we have as a result? Too many! Because the problem was addressed properly the church multiplied greatly, even to the point that a great number of priests were obedient to the faith. Of the seven chosen Stephen was to be the first martyr (Acts 7:59), Phillip would be take the gospel to Samaria (Acts 8:5) and to the Ethiopian eunuch. According to tradition, all became martyrs except Nicolas. Nicolas, Greek a proselyte of Antioch was one of the seven. His name is not mentioned again, but the early writer Iranaues, whose roots could be traced back to the apostle John, connects him with the doctrine of the Nicolaitans whose deeds were condemned by Jesus (Rev. 2:15), in His address to the seven churches of Asia. Iranaues claims that Nicolas, like Judas, was a heretic from the beginning, who founded a gnostic sect. Basically the Gnostics ignored the flesh in pursuit of spiritual perfection. This was later twisted into an anything goes mentality, and that is what Jesus condemned. If this is true of Nicolas (and hopefully it isn't), what does it tell us? It tells us that today's position in the kingdom isn't set for all eternity. Even the apostle Paul worried that after he had preached to others, he himself would be a castaway (I Cor. 9:27). We are admonished in I Tim. 4:16 to take heed to the doctrine so that we may save ourselves and those that hear us. Jesus said that if we break one of the least of His commandments and teach men likewise that we would be the least in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:19). That's rather sobering, isn't it? The highest honor in the kingdom of God is to be called a servant of others (Mark 10:44). It is the servant who will hear the Master say, "Well done, enter in." See Lordship Demands Servanthood "And the opposite of depression?" he asked of the young lady from Oklahoma. "Elation," said she. "And you sir," he said to the young man from Texas, "How about the opposite of woe?" The Texan replied, "Sir, I believe that would be giddy-up." Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com
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