"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."
Today's quote records the first appointment, of what would later be called "deacons". The quote also establishes why deacons were deemed necessary in the church. Many of the men were so occupied with the furtherance of their evangelistic duties that the women and children appeared, to the Greeks, to be suffering from neglect.
As is clearly established in today's quote, the duty of those appointed deacons was to remain with, and care for, the families of the men who were busy spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and expanding the church. Deacons were to mind the everyday business of the church in the absence of the majority of the men.
1 Timothy 8-13 gives us a clearer understanding of the requirements that must be met in order to serve the church as a deacon; "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."~
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