As we study through the Bible we find that there are certain roles and responsibilities that different positions have. One of the many great things about the word of God is that He never leaves us in the dark. Through the Bible when people are selected and put into positions, God gives us His guidelines and expectations. The guess work has been removed from the equation and clarity has been inserted.

The position that we are looking at in this writing is the deacon. Before we get too far into our study we need to look at a few important facts regarding the deacon. First, the word deacon is only found three times in the Bible. All of which are found in the New Testament. Philippians 1:1; 1st Timothy 3:8 and 12 are the three addresses that contain the word deacon. Second, the Greek word used for deacon is diakonos. This word is defined as servant, minister, a person who renders service and help to others.

The first place that we find the deacon is in the book of Acts. Though the word deacon isn’t used we see that there is a selection process which placed men into a servant position. Acts 6:1-2, “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.” The first thing that we can take away from this scripture (as previously mentioned) is that the deacon is a selected position. It isn’t about whether you have “felt the calling” because if you notice the apostles told the people to find others that were among them (verse 3,”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”). The other piece of information that we can take from this scripture is that the role of the deacon was to serve the people.

In verse one of Acts 6 we find that the disciples or followers of Christ had multiplied to the point in which the apostles were unable to meet all of the needs of the people. The Greeks were murmuring (complaining or grumbling) against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected. In other words, some of the people felt as though they were being unattended to. To remedy this situation the apostles called for the people to seek out seven that would assist them. These men that would assist the apostles would be responsible for serving the people (verse 2).

In this portion of scripture we find that the selected seven would meet the physical needs of the people. The physical needs could have been things such as the giving of provision, supplies, support, and finances. The intent of this role was in order that the apostles would be able to continue in their time of prayer and ministering of the word. Acts 6:4, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

In closing, we need to understand that the role of the deacon then is the same as it is for us today. There is no difference. We can not forget that God has given His holy perfect word to guide us. Deacons are to be the servant to the people in order that the preacher can stay focused on prayer and ministering of the word. When we remember our roles then and operate in them then we as a body will operate smoothly.