Part One: The Origin of the Office
Text: Acts 6:1-7
"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." (Vs. 1)
It is clear from Scripture that the office of deacon was instituted in order to take proper care of the Church’s poor. So real, in fact, was the burden of the early Church for their care that believers began a "daily ministration." The ear of God is open to the cries of widows and orphans (Ex. 22:22,23), so it is only natural Godly people would have compassion enough to relieve them, "especial-- them who are of the household of faith." {Gal. 6:10} In every assembly there ought to be u regular system of giving designed to relieve poor members. This duty although nearly forgotten in the modern church is nevertheless the chief responsibility of the deacons.
In acts 6, the number of disciples had multiplied. In former days when men "began to multiply on the face of the earth" they corrupted themselves, so the Church, which at Pentecost was "of one accord", was now filled with a spirit of accusation: it was the contention of the Grecians that their widows were neglected.
First century believers were divided into basically two camps.
The "Grecians", or "Hellenists," were Jews who had adopted Greek customs and who used the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The "Hebrews" were Jews who boasted of being the sole claimants to orthodoxy because they used the Hebrew 0ld Testament, and had refused to adopt Hellenic culture. The carnality of pride and prejudice commingled with early Christian piety. Thomas Watson accurately declared, "The best of men are only men at best."
It is interesting to note that the first problem in the early church erupted over the proper handling of money. Since monies were laid at the feet of the apostles, they were first complained to, and then complained of.
"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.’" (Vs. 2)
The care of the soul is of greater importance than the care of the body because spiritual matters are of greater importance than carnal ones; or to put it still another way, eternal matters are more important than temporal matters. Therefore, although the care of the hungry is necessary, the apostles would not give preeminence to feeding them. Their explanation to the Church serves as our example. They answered, "It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables...but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word." (Vs. 2,4)
"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." (Vs. 3}
The apostles did not simply bow out of the responsibility, but they offered a viable solution to the problem. They proposed that 7 men be chosen by the Church whom they could appoint "over this business."
They directed the church to undertake a search for men who were first, honest men; second, men who were filled with the Holy Ghost; and third, men who were filled with wisdom.
These "deacons", or "servants" as they were called, were to be spiritual men who were free from scandal, and men who were frugal. Although they were chosen by the people, and were to be appointed by the apostles, neither the people nor the apostles had authority to choose any who were unfit for the office.
It might be asked, "Why did the apostles have the right to appoint or to reject any that the people had chosen?" It is first, because God would hold the apostles chiefly responsible for the care of the Church, and "to whom much is given, of them shall much be required." (Lk. 12:48) The second reason is because the apostles having appointed them, the deacons should remember to whom they were in subjection.
The notion that all members of the Church are of equal rank is not so. It was not true in the Old Testament when Moses was not allowed to enter into the Promised Land because he sinned against the Lord, who being the leader of God’s people by God’s ordination had sinned "in the eyes of the children of Israel." (Numb 20:12) So it is not true in the New Testament when it is stated that elders who sin are to be rebuked before all ‘that others also may fear.’ (I Tim. 5:20)
So, too, the writer of Hebrews exhorts us, "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God: whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation." (13:7) Again, "Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." (13:17) And again, "Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints." (13:2d)
"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to ministry of the Word." (Vs. 4}
The apostles addicted themselves to the Word of God and to prayer. They willingly assumed the two-fold responsibility to be the mouthpiece of God to the people, and to be the mouthpiece of the people to God. It is sad that a host of ministers are easily led on so many "rabbit trails" that they end up preaching a social gospel. It is as if they thought they were called to set up the kingdom of God on this earth instead of snatching men from this present evil world. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence." (Jn. 18:36)
"And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorous, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenus, and Nicholas a proselyte of Antioch."
"Seven men were chosen. Interestingly, all seven had Greek names: Stephen, which means, "crown" and who in Acts 7 became the first Christian martyr: Philip, who later became an evangelist (21:8,9) and who was known to have 4 pious, virgin daughters. In Acts 8, Philip was used of God to bring revival to Samaria.
There was Prochorous, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus, and Nicholas whom, it appears, harped upon the doctrine "they that have wives be as though they had none" {I Cor. 7:29), and of whom a licentious cult developed that called themselves "Nicolaitanes." On account of the fact the Nicolaitanes held their wives in common, the Lord expressed his hatred of their doctrine. (Rev. 2:6,15)
"Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them." (Vs. 6)
The Church had chosen the men: the apostles appointed them first by praying with them and for them; and finally, by the laying on of their hands. This ‘laying on of hands’ signified a blessing, but especially the weight of their obligation. By this means the apostles established the fact that their authority to serve as deacons was communicated to them by the apostles to whom was given the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and who had power to bind and to loose on earth. (Matt. 18:15-20}
"And the Word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of priests were obedient to the faith." (vs. 7)
The Church’s institution of the office of deacon resulted in 3 things: first, the Word of God increased; second, the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and third, a great company of the priests mere obedient to the faith.
-NEXT MONTH: Part Two -- The Nature of the Office-
A dear friend has written me expressing his concern that amid my numerous newspaper articles regarding abortion, education, banking and sodomy that I should not forget the Gospel.
A good brother stopped by and in the process of conversation asked the purpose of our tapes that deal with what the Bible has to say concerning banking, and of just weights and measures. _ _
One dear brother who has since gone to be with our Lord once proudly told me he did not vote in civil elections.
What is so alarming is the fact that honorable and pious Christians have lost the understanding of what constitutes "the Gospel."
What is "The Gospel?"
Since every believer accepts the efficacious suffering death of Jesus Christ, such is not under consideration here. The issue therefore of what constitutes "the Gospel’ involves two points of view.
First, there are some who believe "the Gospel" has only to do with the priesthood of the Son of God. To such people, sodomy, aborticide, and dishonesty whether in commerce, or in the legal or medical fields, or in the field of government --all such issues are political in nature and should not be dealt with by Gospel preachers.
The second view is that "The Gospel" as it is revealed in the
Bible is our plumbline by which we measure all things. Paul said, "He that is spiritual judgeth all things." (I Cor 2:15) The standard they use is the Word of God.
Are we to preach the whole counsel of God? The Bible addresses honesty in the market place, and counsels soldiers not to do violence to any man, not to lie, and to be content with their wages. Imagine the average Christian minister mounting his pulpit and telling his congregation they are to be content their wages!
What book prohibits tax collectors (publicans) to exact more than is due? --The Bible does.
Why are present-day believers unwilling to say as much? The answer is "Fear" --Fear of what men may do to them, and as Solomon declares, "The fear of man bringeth a snare." (Prov. 29:25}
Peter tells us that Noah was a "preacher of righteousness."
(II Peter 2:5) So were all the prophets; and so were the apostles.
John the Baptist thundered, "Herod, it is not lawful for you to have thy brother’s wife." (Matt. 14:3,4} John would not have worried he might lose his tax exemption. The man, in fact, lost his head! I am much afraid modern-day Christians would have sided with Herod and argued –"The prophet brought it on himself. He ought to have been more discreet!"
If we are justified in preaching a merchant should not steal, why should it be considered improper to preach that government should not steal by removing from their people all "monies" that have intrinsic value?
Paul exhorted, "Awake to righteousness and sin not." (I Cor.
15:34) If God will hold us responsible for every idle word (Matt. 12:35), He most certainly will hold us accountable for every idle vote.
