The Role of the Deacon Acts 6: 1-7
1. The Condition of the Church (6:1)
A. The multiplication (6:1a) growth; Acts 2:41, 47b; 4:4; 5:14
B. The murmuring (6:1b) complaint; overlooked widows
. Satan started with persecution (Acts 4:1-31)
. To corruption (Acts 5:1-11) to dissension
C. The ministering (6:1c) food & care; church responsible
. 1 Timothy 5:3 – Honor widows who are really widows.
2. The Concern of the Church 6:2, 4)
A. The plea of the pastors (6:2)
B. The priority of the pastors (6:4)
. Prepare (Ezra 7:10) Pray (6:4a) & Preach (6:4b)
3. The Charge to the Church (6:3) similar duties of a deacon
A. Saved man (6:3a) brethren; among you
B. Sound man (6:3b) good reputation, honest report; integrity
C. Spirit-filled man (6:3c, 5c, 8b, 10b; 7:55a) Ephesians 3:19
D. Seasoned man (6:3d, 10a) wisdom; James 3:17
E. Serving man (6:3e) business = meals & or money; task
F. Secure man (6:5b) full of faith; stable, steadfast, firm
G. Sympathetic man (6:8a) full of grace; favor, kind
H. Scriptural man (6:10c; 7:2-54) Philip (8:4-8; 26-40)
I. Searching man (7:55b-56)
. Spirit-filled people look for Jesus (1:10-11)
. Colossians 3:1-3
. Isaiah 6:1-3; Ezekiel 1:26-28; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (Paul)
. Revelation 4:1 (John) Had glimpses into heaven
J. Suffering man (7:57-59a) stoned; sacrificed his life
K. Seeking man (7:59b) calling to the Lord in prayer
L. Submissive man (7:60a) knelt down; reverent, humble
M. Sincere man (7:60b) forgiving, merciful, pardoning
N. Soul-winning man (8:4-5, 26-40) Philip the evangelist
O. Significant man (8:2a) devout, pious Jews; unsaved
. Believed this stoning was wrong; partly a protest
P. Special man (8:2b) wept over him, loved. appreciated
