The Book of Acts Discipleship In Action Pt. 24 Deacons Ordained! God Magnified His Word!

God is blessing this study of His word and it is our great privilege to study the Book of Acts together. 

In Acts 6, we are presented with another issue that could cause division in the church and the manner it was handled by the apostles is a model for churches to follow today. 

The Apostle's instruction pleased the multitude. 

Acts 6:5  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 

The apostles would not give up their primary ministry in prayer and studying the Word of God. The Spirit of God helped them discover a different solution.  They suggested selecting seven men to take on the ministry of distributing food and other items to the Grecian widows, in particular. 

We know that there is nothing in scripture without a purpose and this is true of the names Luke listed. Each of them are a Greek name meaning that they represented the Grecian widows and needy people who had been overlooked in the daily provision of food. 

This was a very equitable solution to a problem that could have caused divisive contention in the early church. Instead the whole multitude was pleased and worked to implement their plan.  

Remember that the apostles insisted they be men of integrity, Spirit filled and having Godly wisdom. 

They chose seven men that met the qualifications and presented them to the apostles. The word "chose" is the same word used when Jesus called His disciples. It refers to God choosing whom He judged fit to receive His favor to be peculiarly used for His service. 

Each name on the list is a man who met the qualifications and who also was connected with the Grecian widows. It is noteworthy that only two men mentioned on this list of seven are mentioned more than once in scripture: Stephen and Phillip. 

The name "Stephen" means crowned and is especially appropriate because this man would become the first martyr in the church in Acts 7. Stephen's name is found 7 times in the Book of Acts.  

Essentially, Stephen was used of God to preach one powerful sermon which promoted the unbelieving religious leaders to stone him to death. 

The second noteworthy man was Phillip, the evangelist. His name is found 36 times in the book of Acts. He was not the "Phillip" Called by Jesus (John 1:43-46) and the title "the evangelist" distinguishes between the two men. 

Phillip the evangelist had four virgin daughters who prophesied and he was used by God many times throughout the book of Acts. (Acts 8:5-40; 21:8-10). 

The apostles ordained the seven deacons. 

Acts 6:6  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 

Notice that although the aggrieved people chose these seven men, it was necessary for the apostles to ordain them for their ministry. The men were "set before" the apostles which refers to a formal meeting to verify the qualifications of each man. 

When the apostles were satisfied that each man was spiritually qualified to hold the new office of "deacon" then they prayed, seeking God's will and blessing upon the service they would render to the Grecian widows. 

The terms "daily ministration" and "serving tables" contain the Greek word "diakoneō" which is the office of a deacon (1 Timothy 3:10-13). It is an office created to meet the physical needs of the people, in this case serving meals to certain widows. 

The apostles, received the seven men from the hands of the Church and they consecrated them to God by prayer, seeking His blessing on them and their labor.

After they prayed, the apostles laid their hands on the seven men. Laying on of hands symbolized the impartation of the gifts and graces needed to qualify them for the office. 

They laid their hands upon them in the presence of the disciples, and thus appointed them to this sacred and important work. It is evident they did not get their commission merely to serve tables, but to proclaim the word of life as the Holy Spirit and Apostles guided them. 

Phillip and Stephen are specific examples of this aspect of their ministry.

God anointed the preaching of His Word!

Acts 6:7  And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The process of meeting the needs of Grecian widows who were not supplied a daily meal was a need that is near to the heart of God. 

As we previously noted, the law of Moses contains very clear instruction to provide to widows and other needy people. God will hold those who ignore His command accountable for neglecting helpless widows. 

Therefore, the Spirit guided an orderly process to select seven men for a new office, the deacon. The entire process honored God and met an important need in the early church. 

The blessings of God come from obeying Him. 

• When the apostles obeyed Christ and returned to Jerusalem, the Holy Ghost came down at Pentecost.

• When Peter preached his first sermon, three thousand people were born again.

• When the new believers continued steadfastly in apostolic doctrine, prayer, praise, and fellowship together, the Lord added more souls to the church each day. 

• When Peter healed the lame man, he boldly spoke the Word and five thousand people were saved.

• When Peter and John were arrested for preaching in the name of Jesus Christ, Peter spoke boldly as the Holy Spirit prompted him. After their release, the entire church gathered and prayed for boldness to preach the words of life. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and preached boldly. 

• When Peter dealt with the issue of Ananias and Sapphira's sin, multitudes of men and women were saved. 

• After the apostles were beaten for preaching in the name of Jesus, they rejoiced and did not stop preaching in His blessed name. 

"The word of God increased." the Spirit of God took the Word of God and was doing tremendous transformative works in men's hearts. 

The word "increased"  means having a more profound or exponentially greater impact upon those who heard the Word preached. It means that faithful preaching had a growing intensity backed by the Holy Spirit's powerful working. 

Faithful reaching by the apostles and deacons, caused the doctrine of God to become widely diffused and published abroad. God will always bless His own word, when it is faithfully ministered by those whom He called to proclaim it.

Next, we see that the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly. Luke does not record a number but it must have been hundreds or thousands more people hearing and heeding the preaching of God's word. 

Finally, it is noteworthy that a great company of the priests were obedient to faith in Jesus Christ. This was one of the greatest miracles wrought by the grace of Christ. That the very people who were so intent on the destruction of Christ, His apostles and His doctrine, should become His disciples, is astonishing.

The grace of Christ Jesus can save even a murderous Jewish priest. His death on the cross is a grand atonement for all trespasses and for the worst of sinners. 

In the 24 courses of priests, the priests numbered in the thousands.  Yet a great number of them believed in Christ. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Boldly preaching the Word of God will always have an impact. We cannot always see what God is doing in someone's heart, but we can always share truth with them and trust His Spirit to address their heart. 

Obedience always brings blessing from God. This has been true since the day He created Adam and Eve and placed them in Paradise. It is still true today.

Preach the word and be a bold witness for Jesus Christ. God will always bless that effort.

Pray for God's will to be done in our hearts, as well as in the hearts of our loved ones and friends. Commit your cares to God and lean on His understanding. He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).  

Do not give up on people. God doesn't. He saved murderous priests. He converted many thousands of sinners to His Son, Jesus Christ. He broke though our hard hearts in order to save us. 

May we be counted as faithful servants of God who share His word with other people. May we pray for Him to bless His word as we share it. This is a prayer that God will honor. May God continue changing us into the image of His dear Son, Jesus Christ. 

Bob