Spirit-Filled Waiters?

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. (Act 6:1-6 ESV) 

We have traditionally called these seven “the first deacons.” That word is not used here. In fact, the Greek word (which simply means “servant”) is translated as “deacon,” meaning a particular office in the church, only five times, all in Paul’s writings. But though, deacon is applied here anachronistically, it still captures the sense of what deacons in the church are supposed to be—servants of Christ who do more down-to-earth tasks so that those in leadership can devote themselves to spiritual ministry. Hopefully this is what your church’s deacons do. 

There are two big points that I think are overlooked when this passage is preached. Let’s look at them. 

First, though the tasks of these seven are rather mundane, the requirement was “good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” No mention of their work experience or education or whether they had the standard business qualifications. Though those things would be helpful, they wanted men who had good character and were filled with the Holy Spirit! 

The argument could be raised—and often is in modern settings—that their spiritual qualifications were unimportant here; other than overly-spiritual people, you would want men who know how to get tasks done. More on this later. 

The second point relates to the two men of the seven about whom we hear more. When he wasn’t occupied “waiting tables” Stephen took it upon himself to do a little street preaching and perform miracles in the power of the Spirit. His message was so powerful that opponents to the Christian message hauled him before the religious leaders. His uncompromising preaching there so enraged them that Stephen is known to us as the first one to be killed for Christ. 

In the persecution that followed Stephen’s martyrdom, believers were scattered. Phillip, now relieved of his kitchen duties, ended up in Samaria where his preaching, healing ministry, and casting out of demons brought many people to Christ. From here Phillip went south to convert the Ethiopian eunuch and eventually ended up in Caesarea. The next time we come upon Phillip, it is something like 25 years later and he is called “The Evangelist” and has four daughters who were prophets. 

The second point illustrates the reason behind the first point. Maybe the Seven could have successfully presided over the food distribution without being full of the Spirit. However, it was never intended that this was all they would ever do. Perhaps this service proved to be a testing ground for them. Whatever the case, it seems to me that these are the kinds of qualities that we should look for in all church leaders and workers. 

But even more importantly, it highlights what we should strive to be. There is no one in the Body of Christ who should be expected to somehow function without being of good character and full of the Holy Spirit. Even if you don’t expect (or want) to preach, you need to be of good character and full of the Holy Spirit. You will do whatever it is you do better and be available for God to use in ways you don’t anticipate. 

Whatever you do, whatever you think your role is, be filled with the Holy Spirit.