The book of Acts
Selection of deacons
Chapter 6:1-7
The number of disciples in Jerusalem (now understood as all who were converted to Christ) grew a lot in those days, and so did the movement of financial resources provided by the most prosperous for the needy through the hands of the apostles (chapter 2:45, 4:32,34,35) became quite bulky.
Among the neediest were widows without other support. A complaint arose from Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews, often from other countries who used this international language of the time) that their widows were not receiving the same treatment as the widows of Hebrews. It was an undoubtedly important administrative matter, but it would require much time and effort to resolve satisfactorily, given the amount of people involved.
The apostles therefore called a meeting of the multitude of disciples, and declared that it was unreasonable for them to have to leave their ministry of preaching and exposition of the Word of God to "wait upon tables". This was the Greek expression "diakoneo trapeza" meaning to serve or administer in various ways, here being the distribution of food and other resources on the tables used for this purpose.
Two other words with the same meaning are "diakonia" (administration) translated as "distribution" in verse 1, and "diakonos" (attendants), anglicized as "deacon" in Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13 . The apostles told the disciples to choose seven men from among them who could undertake this service. They are therefore regarded as the first deacons appointed in the church.
The apostles then defined the necessary qualifications for these men:
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Well regarded - "good reputation"
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Spiritual - "full of the Holy Spirit"
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Wise - "full of wisdom"
Later, the apostle Paul repeated this in more detail: they are to be reverent, sincere, not given to much wine or greedy for money, faithful to the Word of God, found blameless after experience, monogamous, competent parents, and good managers of their own assets (1 Timothy 3:8-13).
After they had been chosen, the apostles would persevere in prayer and in the ministry of the Word. Note that prayer is mentioned first.
The majority of those chosen had Greek names, so therefore may have been Hellenists like those who had been complaining. Thus, there could be no more grumbling about favouritism. The apostles prayed and laid hands on them, indicating that they gave them their support.
Free of this encumbrance, the apostles were able to develop their mission more intensively, with the happy result that, “the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Verse 7).
R David Jones
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit 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."
Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
Act 6:6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
Act 6:7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Book of Acts, chapter 6:1-7