INTRODUCTION The purpose of this word study is to look purely at the biblical basis for deacons and their role in our church today. I remember years ago when I became a deacon and asked so now what do I do! I got many different opinions about what the role of a deacon was; servant, spiritual leaders, and even the boss of the church. Years later when I sat down and studied the Bible to see what it taught, instead of what others had said or written, it became clear that most men who serve as deacons today are actually serving as Elders and not deacons. On thing is clear from this passage of Scripture, deacons are servants, not leaders. While some may go on to become Pastors or Elders as God directs them, the office of deacon in any church should be a "servant based" ministry. BACKGROUND STUDY [emphasis added from the Greek text, plus references to whom is being spoken of] V1. And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied [plethuno: abounded, growing in numbers], there arose a murmuring [goggusmos: grumbling, complaint, muttering...not openly avowed] of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected [paratheoreo: overlooked, left unnoticed, disregarded] in the daily ministration. V2. Then the twelve [i.e., Apostles/Elders] called the multitude of the disciples [mathetes: followers of Christ, believers] unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave [kataleipo: to leave behind, to depart from, to abandon] the word [logos: instruction, doctrine; the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God; the doctrine that He commanded to be delivered to] of God, and serve [diakoneo: to take care of the poor and the sick, who administer the office of deacon] tables. V3. Wherefore, brethren[adelphos: fellow believers], look ye out among you [episkeptomai: look observantly, inspect, select] seven men [aner: a male person of full age and stature, as opposed to a child or female] of honest report [martureo: who has a good witness, well reported of, good testimony, attested, approved], full of[pleres: thoroughly permeated with, controlled by] the Holy Ghost [the Holy Spirit] and wisdom [sophia: ability, practical wisdom, skill in the management of affairs] , whom we [i.e., Apostles/Elders] may appoint [kathistemi: lit., "we shall appoint"; to set one over a thing, appointing a person to a place of authority] over this business  [chreia: i.e., the business or affairs of the Deacons]. V4. But we [i.e, the Apostles/Elders] will give ourselves continually [proskartereo: to persist in adherence to, to be intently engaged in, attend constantly] to prayer [proseuche: devoted to the offering of prayer to God] , and to the ministry[diakonia: i.e., preaching as the special ministry with which the apostles were concerned] of the word." V5. And the saying pleased[aresko: to be pleasing, acceptable] the whole multitude [plethos: i.e., all the believers, the church body]: and they [i.e., the believers, the church body] chose [eklegomai: choosing one for an office, to pick out for oneself] Stephen, a man full [pleres: abounding in, wholly occupied with, completely under the influence of, thoroughly permeated with] of faith [pistis: a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: V6. Whom they [i.e., the believers, the church body] set before [enopion: stood in the presence of others and as before judges] the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them [i.e., they ordained or set them apart for service]. V7. And so the word [logos: the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God] of God increased [auxano: kept on growing all the more] ; and the number of the disciples multiplied[plethuno: kept pace with the spread of the gospel] in Jerusalem greatly[sphodra: much, exceedingly] and a great company [ochlos: multitude] of the priests were obedient [hupakouo: one after another obeyed, to harken to a command, listened, attended, submitted] to the faith [pistis: the contents of belief, the faith, the gospel message]. WHAT THIS PASSAGE TEACHES   I. The Two Biblical Reasons For Having Deacons (vv.1-2, 4). 1. To meet a specific need in the local Church body. 2. To free-up the Elders/Pastor(s) A. For Prayer B. For the Ministry of the Word 1) Study 2) Proclaiming (preaching and teaching) II. The Selection Process (vv.3, 5) 1. Qualities to look for: A. An adult male B. Well known among the Church body for their Christian Character. 1) They have a good witness and testimony 2) They have demonstrated the fruits of the Spirit by their actions (attested & approved) 3) They have demonstrated their desire to be in God's will (led by the Holy Spirit) 4) They have demonstrated a practical wisdom, ability and skill in the management of affairs to which they are appointed (they can be trusted to do what they are entrusted with). 2. The Church body made the choice of who would be presented before the Elders/Pastor(s) for the office of deacons. 3. The Elders/Pastor(s): A. Determined the amount of deacons required B. They affirmed the choice of the Church body (the final approval). C. They ordained the men (set them apart for service). D. They assigned the task to be done by the deacons. 1) "We shall appoint," it is obvious that deacons are under the authority and control of the Elders/Pastor(s). 2) Deacons must keep in mind that God is holding their Elders/Pastor(s) accountable for the "condition "of the whole Church (Heb.13:17). III. The Results Of Having Deacon Ministries (v.7) 1. The murmuring ended. 2. The Elders/Pastor(s) were free to fulfill their primary ministry. 3. The Word of God spread (the Church became outward focused and not inward focused). 4. People accepted Christ as their Savior (they saw Christ and not Christians fighting). 5. People became obedient to the faith (they grew spiritually).   CONCLUSION Many churches today are not seeing the fruit of having deacons because many of these men have or are trying to lead their churches instead of serving them. God has established the roles and order of  Elders/Pastor(s) and Deacons.  It is clear that Deacons are under the leadership of their Elders/Pastor(s) and not the other way around.  Many churches and Christians are missing God's blessings because they are not obeying God's Word. When we stop obeying God's Word and replace it with our own ideas then we stop being God's church and become a church of the flesh. 1 John 2:5, "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." (KJV)