Identifying Qualified Leaders

Acts 6:1-7

As the church in Jerusalem grew, and new people joined, problems began to develop. The first one was with Ananias and Sapphira focusing on themselves because of a failure to walk in the Spirit. Shortly, conflicts began to rise. I Corinthians 3:3 points out that anytime there is conflict between Christians, they are not walking in the Spirit. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” When the Holy Spirit was in control we find there was unity. Acts 2:46 describes them as “…continuing daily with one accord in the temple…” Acts 4:32 declares, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul…” Suddenly racial strife develops.

“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.” (Acts 6:1)

The church had mushroomed, with thousands of new people. Some of them, especially Greeks were not known to the apostles, with the result that they were unaware of their needs. As a result, the Greeks felt uncared for, and began to complain. There was a legitimate basis for their feelings of disenfranchisement.

The Holy spirit was portrayed by the oil in the lamps in the temple. Daily refilling was required. Unfortunately, we can allow even legitimate problems to siphon out the oil and destroy our spiritual walk. The Greeks fell into the trap of letting their emotions do so. When they began to complain, the Hebrews resented the complaints, allowing their feelings of resentment to siphon off their Spiritual supply, and conflict developed.

Led by the Spirit, the apostles recognized there was a valid problem and proposed a remedy. Unspiritual leaders find it difficult to admit there are problems or surrender authority.

“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. 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. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-4)

The ministering of the word, the teaching and preaching is too important to be neglected in order to administrate the church. They recommended selecting seven deacons to take care of church administration, so the apostles would be free to focus on pastoral duties. When the church had been smaller, both pastoral duties and administration required less effort. Essentially, the deacons were to serve as a board of directors, managing the physical needs of the church, working closely with the pastoral leaders.

Unless there is a unity of purpose, the deacons and pastors will run into conflict over how things should be done. To avoid this situation, specific guidelines were given. The horror stories about deacons make it clear that these guidelines are frequently ignored.

The first requirement for a deacon was that he had to have a good reputation as an honest man. Secondly they were to be full of the Holy Spirit, and then to demonstrate wisdom. Paul says that the requirements are similar, but slightly less rigorous than those for a pastor or bishop in his instructions to Timothy on how to pastor a church. He describes what to look for to identify those who are qualified.

“Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (I Timothy 3:8-13)

In the description for the deacon. Paul focused more on the Good reputation, because the man is in the position of administering the financial and physical affairs of the church. The focus on the Bishop or pastor on the other hand focuses more fully on the spiritual qualifications. Both stress that the person must not be engaging in carnal practices or attitudes. Galatians 5:19-25 contrasts the carnal behavior with the spiritual attitudes.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:19-25)

Before electing a man as a deacon or pastor they needed to review his behavior and examine his attitudes. He was only to be elected if he met the standards.

“And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.” (Acts 6:5-6)

This could easily be seen to resolve the problem, and the church was pleased. The church selected seven men who qualified and recommended them to the apostles. This is important, because the church often has a better knowledge of the men’s qualifications than do pastors, who often only see them in a church setting. After prayer, the apostles placed their hands on them, identifying with them just as the Israelites did with their gifts and sacrifices in the Old Testament.

“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7)

Resolving the issue in a Spiritual message enabled the church to grow greatly, freeing the apostles to accomplish more and eliminating distractions that turned people away. Even many of the priests broke away from the Sadducees and turned to Christ.