Baptists/The 7 original Deacons

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Expert: - 9/17/2010


Question
How did the apostles arrive at the number of 7 in Acts chapter 6?  What is the significance of the number 7 as it pertains to the Deaconship?

Answer
Tony, thanks for your question. In Acts Chapter 6 there is a bit of conflict between the Hellenistic Jews and the traditional Hebrew Jews. The Hebrews were those Jews who were more inclined to embrace Jewish culture and were mostly from Judea. The Hellenists were those Jews who were more inclined to embrace Greek culture and were mostly from the Diaspora (all over the Roman Empire). Hebrews tended to regard Hellenists as unspiritual compromisers with Greek culture, and Hellenists regarded Hebrews as holier-than-thou traditionalists. There was already a natural suspicion between the two groups, and Satan tried to take advantage of that standing suspicion.

The Hellenistic Jews believed that the widows among the Hebrew Jews were receiving better care. So the The apostles had to remain faithful to their central calling, which was prayer and to the ministry of the word. It would be wrong for them to spend their time administrating the practical needs of the widows.

So the Apostles choose seven men who could serve the needs of the widows. These men were: Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch (Acts 6:5). These seven men were probably Hellenistic Jews because they all have Greek names.
The apostles (who were Hebrew Jews) showed great sensitivity to the offended Hellenists by appointing Hellenists to take care of the widows’ distribution.

The apostles chose seven  men because they were of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3). The apostles were far more concerned with the internal quality of the men than their outward appearance or image.

Acts 6 does not specifically say that these men were deacons, but they probably were.

Why were there seven?  Acts Chapter 6 does not say why there was just seven, but the  number seven in the bible is the number of perfection. So it may be what God wanted for this particular number. But it could also be that there would be seven men; one for each day of the week. Each having equal share in the work of taking of the widows.

Blessings. I hope this helps.

Dr Don Howe, RN, PhD, ThD  

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Dr Don Howe

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I welcome questions that deal with theological issues, relationship issues, church history, world religions, current events from a Christian worldview, "gray areas" that are present today, church growth movements, false prophets, spiritual abuse issues, end time events, prophecy, medical ethical issues, hermeneutical questions, and how Israel fits into God's economy today. I will answer all questions in a grammatical/historical normative interpretation of God's Word. If I can not answer a question, I will do the research and find the answer if available. If you are looking for a liberal theological answer or agrument, do not ask. I am not an expert on church planting or evangelism.

Experience

I have over 27 years of experience doing ministry as a bivocational minster/professional nurse. I do ministry as a volunteer with ministries that are nonprofit and not able to pay for ministers. I have experience working with youth, children, elderly in different placement settings, mentally ill and mentally challenged in different settings, felons in state prison and county jails, hospital chaplancy, choir ministry, and deacon ministry. I am an ordained SBC minister. I am a Professional Chaplain. I am currently doing hospital minstry, ministry to shut-ins, and a chaplain with Victim Relief Ministry working with victims of diasters and domestic violence. I work as psychiatric nurse in large county jail system.

Organizations
American Association of Christian Counselors, Baptist Nursing Fellowship, Nurses Christian Fellowship, Therpon Institute, Victim Chaplain & Counselor Association of America, International Board of Christian Counselors, American Society of Christian Therapists.

Publications
N/A

Education/Credentials
PhD, Therapon University, USVI, 12/07 in Biblical Counseling, DCC, Southwest Bible College & Seminary, Jenning, LA 04/05 in Christian Psychology and Counseling. ThD, Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA 02/04 D.D., Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA 07/03 Tyndale Seminary, Fort Worth, TX 2001-2003 BSN, Univ. of Texas in Arlington, Tx 05/93 ADN, Midwestern State Univ., Wichitia Falls, TX 5/77 Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Externship 08/04-12/05, 4 units of CPE earned.

Awards and Honors
Board Certified Christian Counselor by International Board of Christian Counselors. Issued 01/24/06.

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