Acts 6:1-7 … Verse reads, “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.”

Verse 2 explains how the apostles handled the problem. While the apostles had the charge of common resources, this problem was a community-wide issue. The apostles had the spiritual leadership before God, so it was their responsibility. Even though they were overseers, the gospel ministry came first. They “summoned the multitude of the disciples” and proposed their solution to the church body, vv. 3-4. The members were to choose seven men to administer the benevolence work in the church, from among themselves with three qualifications. They had to be “of good reputation” and “full of the Holy Spirit”—surrendered lives, obedient to the Lord, allowing the Spirit to fill them and work through them. The third qualification was “wisdom”—God’s wisdom is required to minister for Jesus Christ. The apostles assigned them their ministry task. This is the proper view of deacons ministering in the body, as assistants to the pastor. The apostles addressed the problem and developed the solution. They needed only to implement the plan: select and install the servants, vv. 5-6. The apostles prayed for them, laid hands on them, and installed them. It is believed through church history that this was the beginning of deacon ministry in the church. Verse 7 records that the word of God spread, and the number of disciples multiplied, and many priests were saved. The apostles were freed to minister God’s Word. When problems are solved God’s way instead of man’s, He blesses with spiritual fruit.

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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