As the church grew, was there a need to create a ministry for physical tasks? How was this fulfilled? Did opposition continue? Let’s look at Acts 6.
Was there a need for seven men to serve in a diaconate or ministry of physical duties? What were the initial qualifications for this role? What two tasks did the overseers of this first church want to focus on? Was their service also a diaconate or ministry?
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve [Greek to “deacon”] tables. Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry [Greek: diaconate] of the word.” (Acts 6:1-4 WEB)
Who were the seven? Who chose them? Who confirmed their choice and ordained them? Did the church continue to grow?
This proposal pleased the entire community. They selected Stephen, a man endowed by the Holy Spirit with exceptional faith, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. The community presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. God’s word continued to grow. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased significantly. Even a large group of priests embraced the faith. (Acts 6:5-7 CEB)
Did a group of freed slaves begin to falsely accuse one of those servants?
God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among the people. But some men from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of a group who called themselves “Free Men.” They started arguing with Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him. But they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him. So they talked some men into saying, “We heard Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!” (Acts 6:8-11 CEV)
What happened as a result of these false accusations?
And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:12-15 ESV)
As the church grew, was there a need to create a ministry for physical tasks? How was this fulfilled? Did opposition continue? You decide!
