Acts 6:1

Acts 6:1 says, 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. A change is occurring in the believers.  So far, every time they were mentioned it was said they had everything in common.  Now, there is dissension.  The Grecians were murmuring against the Hebrews.  Unfortunately, this happens too often in the church today.  Someone suddenly feels slighted about something.  It usually involves the pastor and his spending more time with one person than another or visiting one person and not another.  Verse two adds, 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.  The apostles had an answer for them and for us.  After calling the multitude of disciples together, they said, "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables." Verse three continues, 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.  Verse four concludes, But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  They instructed the disciples to choose seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom to be appointed over this business.  The same is true for the pastor today.  They should not have to leave the studying and preaching of the word of God to handle the business of the church.  One reason pastors burn out is because they often have too little time for Bible study and family. We need to realize that their primary purpose in the church is preaching and teaching. Verse five states, 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 people were pleased with this idea and chose the seven to serve.  Verse six adds, Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.  Verse seven continues, 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 seven chosen by the disciples, the first deacons, were charged with the everyday business of the church.  If today's deacons are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, they will realize that, as will all the church members.  The result of appointing the deacons was that the number of believers continued to grow greatly, and a number of priests believed.  When God's people work together too, we should expect to see a great number of people saved, as long as we are following His will.  We don't know much about six of the first deacons.  We can deduct from the fact that the apostles were able to continue to proclaim the Gospel freely and that the disputes seemingly were settled that they all did a good job.  We may not hear much about the deacons today, but  if the preacher is freed to study, preach, and teach and there are no disputes within the congregation, then they must be serving well.