Biblical Deacons

Acts 6:1-8

I.                   The power of the Holy Spirit has caused great growth to come to the church 6:1

a.     The book of Acts is the story of the power of the Holy Spirit to witness and win souls 1:8

b.     There were only 120 people counting women in the upper room 1:15

c.      The day of Pentecost 3000 people accept Jesus as their Savior 2:41

d.     The Lord Jesus begins to add to the church every day 2:47

e.     5000 men accept Christ without mentioning the women or children that also accepted Jesus 4:4

f.       Great numbers are added to the church of both men and women 5:14

g.     The number of believers multiplied 6:1

h.     The church may have had as many as 25,000 members

II.                 Growth causes problems 6:1

a.     Murmuring and divisions

b.     People--problems are not being taken cared for

c.      The pastors couldn’t meet all the needs of the church

d.     The pastors did not have time for prayer, message preparation because they had to be too busy counseling brethren and listening to complaints

e.     Their priorities had turned from the spiritual ministry to the carnal needs

III.              The proposal 6:3

a.     Look out among you 7 men that can be appointed over this business

b.     The pastors were going to dedicate themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer 6:4

IV.              The purpose 6:2, 4

a.     They would be able to dedicate all their energy to the word of God, prayer, and ministry

b.     The men of God would be able to be completely in the work

c.      Notice they did not have deacons when they organized the church but they come now to have deacons when there is a need for their service

V.                 Steps for choosing deacons

a.     The pastors saw the need, it was their idea to have deacons 6:2

b.     They make a proposal to the church 6:3

c.      The pastors gave the requirements, they were not chosen because of their popularity or their money 6:3

d.     They were brethren from within the church

e.     The church chose the deacons under the conditions given by the pastors 6:3

f.       The pastors approved the deacons 6:6

g.     The pastors laid hands on the men in front of everyone (ordination) 6:6

VI.              Their ministry

a.     Serve tables

b.     Work that was assigned them by the pastors

c.      Take care of the widows

d.     Free the hands of the pastor

e.     Take care of the pastor

VII.            The reward

a.     The word grows 6:7

b.     The church multiplies greatly

c.      Even the Jewish priests began to accept Christ

d.     Everyone was doing their part