Deacons

1 Timothy 3:5-8 - (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

1 Corinthians 10:32-33 - Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Mark 4:11-12 - He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, " 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'"

Titus 1:7 - Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.

Acts 6:2,6 - 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…They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Conclusions:

• The particular cause of stumbling Paul had in mind was that of eating meat offered to idols
• Living to glorify God will result in doing what is beneficial for others, whether Christians or non-Christians
• In the New Testament secret refers to something God has revealed to His people
• The secret is proclaimed to all, but only those who have faith understand
• In Mark 4:11 the secret seems to be that the kingdom of God had drawn near in the coming of Jesus Christ
• In Acts 6, the apostles were responsible for church life in general, including the ministry of the word of God and the care of the needy
• The early church was concerned about a spiritual ministry and a material ministry
• Laying on of hands was used in the Old Testament period to confer blessing, to transfer guilt from sinner to sacrifice and to commission a person for a new responsibility
• In the New Testament period, laying on of hands was observed in healing, blessing, ordaining or commissioning and imparting of spiritual gifts
• These seven men in Acts 6 were appointed to responsibilities turned over to them by the Twelve
• The Greek word used to describe the seven men’s responsibility is the verb from which the noun deacon comes
• The Greek noun for deacon can also be translated minister or servant
• It is disputed whether the Seven were the first deacons or were later replaced by deacons

Application

• Do you live to glorify God?
• Has the secrets of the kingdom of God been given to you?
• Are you violent?
• Are you concerned about the care of the needy?
• Do you confer blessing?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible