Lesson 355

(Lesson 355)(08-04-12) Acts 6:1-8, "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. 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. 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. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 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: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 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. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people."

This lesson acknowledges that only men taught the gospel, the women stayed home and tended to the daily requirements for the existence of their individual families.

In those days it was the custom of the people that when a woman was widowed, the men of the community saw to it that those things the widow and her children could not do for themselves, were done and that she and her family were provided for.
While the men were out preaching the gospel, the widows were being neglected and left to fend for themselves. This caused complaints to rise, contending the men were neglecting their duties toward the community. Out of this necessity the Apostles selected a group of seven men to tend to the needs of the widows families while the rest of them continued to preach the gospel.
This scripture is the origin of electing Deacons in the Church.~