Nov 23, 2014
This morning, it is our joy to commission two of our brothers to the office of Deacon. In preparation we will study the origin of and the qualifications for the office of Deacon. Please turn in your Bibles to Acts 6:1-6 where is recorded the beginning of the office of deacon.
THE NEED FOR DEACONS (ACTS 6:1-6)
The church in Jerusalem had grown considerably since the Feast of Pentecost 33A.D. at which time 3000 Jews came to faith in Jesus and were baptized (Acts 2:40-41). Apparently, many who had visited Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost and were converted settled in Jerusalem to grow in their new-found faith in Christ. This influx of Greek-speaking Jews (Hellenists) required the native Hebrew-speaking Jews to temporarily pool their resources to meet their brethren's needs (Acts 4:32). Among those dependent upon the charitable giving of the church were widows who were served food on a daily basis. A problem arose when the Greek-speaking Jews (Hellenists) felt their widows were being neglected in favor of the native Jews.