What are the roles of deacons?

Open Line Radio on August 2, 2025 Hour 2 @1:44

Question:

In Acts when they chose the seven men, did they choose deacons then or were they servers, which is also the definition of a deacon and are deacons called to preach the word?

Answer from Dr Michael Rydelnik:

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=651232&hour=2

Summary of answer:

In Acts 6, the bible did not use the noun, instead it uses the verb and is the same root word. What we have here are what would be precursors to be deacons. The choosing of the seven is taken from the synagogue structure. The synagogue have seven men who were overseeing the everyday working of the synagogue. They would care for the poor, the burial society that every synagogue had, the widows ... . In Acts 6, the controversy was because there were Jews from the "diaspora", the Hellenistic Jews and the Jews who were living in Israel and they were trying to get their communities all together.

If you read 1Timothy 3, the bible states that deacons are tasked to do the management of the congregation and elders are the ones who are the normal teachers of the word.

Scripture:

Acts 6

² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. -nkjv

² 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. -kjv

² So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.  -nasb

² 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. -niv

Of the Holy Scriptures

Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; (Rom. 2:14–15, Rom. 1:19–20, Ps. 19:1–3, Rom. 1:32, Rom. 2:1) yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation. (1 Cor. 1:21, 1 Cor. 2:13–14) .

Romans 1

¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, -nkjv

¹⁹ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

²⁰ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: -kjv

¹⁹ because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. -nasb

¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. -niv

Psalms 19

1The heavens declare the glory of God;And the firmament shows His handiwork.² Day unto day utters speech,And night unto night reveals knowledge.³ There is no speech nor languageWhere their voice is not heard. -nkjv

1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

² Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

³ There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. -kjv

1The heavens tell of the glory of God;And their expanse declares the work of His hands.² Day to day pours forth speech,And night to night reveals knowledge.³ There is no speech, nor are there words;Their voice is not heard. -nasb

1The heavens declare the glory of God;    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.² Day after day they pour forth speech;    night after night they reveal knowledge.³ They have no speech, they use no words;    no sound is heard from them. -niv

1 Corinthian 2

¹³ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. -nkjv

¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

¹⁴ But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. -kjv

¹³ We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

¹⁴ But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  -nasb

¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.¹⁴ The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit -niv

Source: westministerstandards.org

4th mark of Salvation: Forgiven Souls are Holy by J.C. Ryle

Forgiven souls are HOLY. Their chief desire is to please Him who has saved them, to do His will, to glorify Him in body and in Spirit, which are His. “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits?”(Ps. 116:12), is a leading principle in a pardoned heart. It was the remembrance of Jesus showing mercy that made Paul in labors so abundant, and in doing good so unwearied. If anyone points out to me believers who are in a carnal, slothful state of soul, I reply in the words of Peter, “They have forgotten they were purged from their old sins.” (2 Pet. 1:9.)

But if you show me a man deliberately living an unholy and licentious life, and yet boasting that his sins are forgiven, I answer, “He is under a ruinous delusion, and is not forgiven at all.” I would not believe he is forgiven if an angel from heaven affirmed it, and I charge you not to believe it too. Pardon of sin and love of sin are like oil and water—they will never go together. All who are washed in the blood of Christ, are also sanctified by the Spirit of Christ.

Source: www. jcryle.info

Scriptures:

Psalm 116:12

What shall I render to the LordFor all His benefits toward me? -nkjv

¹² What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? -kjv

What shall I repay to the LordFor all His benefits to me? -nasb

What shall I return to the Lord    for all his goodness to me? -niv

2 Peter 1:9

⁹ For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. -nkjv

⁹ But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. -kjv

⁹ For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. -nasb

⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. -niv