In those
days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among
them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being
overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the
Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for
us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers
and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the
Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will
give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:1-4
In Acts 6, the first deacons appear as a support staff to
the teaching pastors. The apostles were
busy in the growing church preaching, leading studies, evangelizing and didn’t
have time for some of the ground work, the ministry to widows
specifically. The deacons were ordained
to be the hands and feet of ministry, allowing the apostles to be the
spokesmen.