Early in the life of the church, we find a portrait of effective service, which is, in its most basic form,
service that meets the very real needs, both material and spiritual, of God's people.
The church grew rapidly after the ascension of Jesus, both in the strict Orthodox community and the Greek-influenced
community of Jews in Jerusalem. The Hellenists (Greek-influenced) began to complain that the widows of the Hebrews
(Orthodox) were being shown favoritism at the communal meals held daily by the church. The twelve apostles called
a meeting of a large number of the Christian disciples in the city and said this:
It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from
among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit 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)
This decision pleased the entire group and they chose seven men:
Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas,
a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
(Acts 6:5–6)
These seven men were commissioned for a very specific role in the church. It was not the same role as that of
the apostles, but it nevertheless was a vital ministry role within the church. These seven men became the
first deacons.
The word for deacon in the Greek language, diakonos, had a much different meaning than the word has today
in most Christian denominations. In many of our churches today, deacons are chosen for their business ability,
their intelligence, their position in the world, and their income level. Once elected as deacons, they often attempt
to fill spiritual roles of leadership.
The first deacons, however, represent an almost 180-degree difference in role. They were chosen for spiritual
qualities, not “professional” qualities, and once appointed, they then were given very practical roles of service.
They were not rulers, per se.
The word diakonos is also used in the Greek language literally to express the concepts “to run, to hasten.”
The first deacons were expected to be quick in their response to meeting the needs they perceived among the growing
body of Christian believers. They were given the job of protecting the harmony of the fellowship—of making sure
that things were done equitably and in order, of making certain that all the needs were met, and of ensuring that
no clique groups developed within the body of Christ.
The first deacons were chosen on the basis of six qualities in their lives: They were submissive, of good reputation,
full of the Holy Spirit, and they had wisdom, vision for the work of God, and humility. These are the same qualities
that today make for the most effective servants.
• What new insights do you have into God's Word and to the importance of service in the church?
The Quality of Submissiveness
The deacons were under the authority of apostles. The apostles were the ones who laid hands upon the deacons,
prayed for them, and imparted to them their authority within the church. In many churches today, this process has
been turned upside down—the deacons are the ones who call the pastors and then lay hands on them and commission
them to serve their local church. The original order established in the first-century church is not only far more
effective, but it is God's design.
The apostles were the ones who devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. They were the ones
who preached the gospel of Jesus to those who were not yet a part of the fellowship of Christians, and they no
doubt were the ones who baptized the new converts upon their acceptance of Christ. Apostle literally means
“one sent out,” and the apostles filled this role—they were at the cutting edge of the outreach of the church.
The role of the deacons was turned inward toward the believers. The deacons were responsible for running the
practical matters in the church. While they certainly were men of prayer and were no doubt students of God's Word,
prayer and preaching were not their primary responsibilities.
This does not mean that on occasion a deacon might not speak publicly. Stephen, who apparently was the chief
deacon, was described in the Scriptures as a man “full of faith and power” who “did great wonders and signs among
the people” (Acts 6:8). He was an excellent orator who was highly skilled in presenting the gospel. He became the
first martyr as the result of his speaking boldly about Jesus to the Jewish religious council.
Stephen, however, did not have preaching and prayer as his first job description. He exercised his spiritual
gifts in the office of deacon; his primary role was to oversee the meeting of practical needs, not to set the spiritual
agenda for the church.
Being a servant does not mean that one relinquishes all of one's spiritual gifts and abilities; rather, it means
that one uses those gifts and exercises those abilities within the functional parameters and goals established
by one who is in a position of greater authority.
An effective servant is one who always submits his will to those who are in authority over him. We each
are in a line of authority; no person lives without having someone in authority over him. Ultimately for the Christian,
that authority is Christ Jesus. It is only when we learn to submit our wills to His will and to obey those whom
God has placed over us that we truly can be effective servants.
A rebellious person might go through some of the external motions of service for a period of time, but unless
his rebellious spirit is broken into submission by the Holy Spirit, the person will not remain a steadfast
servant over time. A rebellious person looks for a way out of service anytime things don't go his way or he cannot
be in control of a situation. A rebellious person cannot be truly effective in helping people grow in their faith
or experience an increasing reliance upon the Holy Spirit because the rebellious person is not totally reliant
upon the Holy Spirit himself. A faithful, obedient person is willing to “let go and let God,” whereas a rebellious
person has an attitude of “hold control tightly or do it myself.”
Submission is not a state of groveling or of weakness, as we tend to think in our modern American culture. Rather,
it is recognizing that someone has greater God-given authority in a particular situation. It is a yielding of one's
decision-making power to a higher authority, a curbing of one's behavior to conform to the rule established by
one who occupies a greater position.
• How do you feel when you submit yourself to a higher authority?
Submissiveness and faith are closely linked. If you fail to believe that God is going to provide for you, protect
you, or work things for good on your behalf, you are unlikely to submit to God or trust Him. If you believe that
God is your heavenly Father and that all He does is ultimately for your blessing and eternal good, then you are
likely to submit to Him and to have faith in Him, trusting Him for every detail of your life.
The first deacons were willing to let the apostles be apostles and to take on their own role of service as deacons.
They did not try to lead the church, but they tried to resolve the problems within the church under the authority
granted to them by the apostles.
As servants today, we are not called to make our own spiritual decisions but, rather, to submit ourselves to
the Holy Spirit and to do only what He directs us to say, do, and decide.
Having a submissive spirit is important regardless of a person's rank or position. A senior pastor or denominational
leader must be no less submissive in spirit than the newest convert to Christ. The position one holds does not
alter the state that must exist in one's heart. Jesus recognized a Roman centurion as being one of the most submissive
and faith-filled people He encountered during His ministry (Matt. 8:5–13).
What the Word Says
Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is
lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion
answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant
will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and
he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard
it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not
even in Israel!” … Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done
for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour (Matt. 8:5–10, 13).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have
devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors
with us. I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they
supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men (1 Cor. 16:15–18).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Submit to God (James 4:7).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to
governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet
not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God (1 Peter 2:13–16).
What the Word Says to Me
• What new insights from the Bible do you have into what it means to be submissive?
• In what ways are you feeling challenged by God's Spirit?
The Quality of a Good Reputation
The deacons were chosen first and foremost because they were “men of good reputation.” They had exemplary character
and were men of the highest integrity.
A good reputation is something we each are to work at achieving and to value highly. A “good name” is a tremendous
asset.
Having a good reputation does not mean that people will totally agree with you at all times, or you with them.
You may disagree with the decisions made by a person of good character and still admire and respect a person as
a man or woman of God.
From the biblical point of view, goodness and godliness are the same. One cannot bear a reputation for goodness
without being godly; a godly person is good. Goodness is one of the qualities of the Holy Spirit that we are to
bear as His fruit in our lives (Gal. 5:22).
People judge a person's reputation on the basis of what that person says and does. The fact is, what you believe
is inevitably revealed by what you say, and what you say inevitably dictates what you do. When what a person says
he believes and what he does are one and the same, there's a consistency to the person's life that is obvious to
all—Christian and sinner alike.
If a person believes God's Word, says that he is making God's Word his way of life, and then truly attempts
to live out God's Word on a daily basis, that person is building a good reputation.
A good reputation has nothing to do with the standards of success established by the world. Being rich, famous,
or the leader of an organization does not necessarily make a person good or godly. The lowliest wage earner can
be a person of excellent reputation. The most unrecognized person within the church might still be a person about
whom all say, “That is a godly person.”
Why is a good reputation so vital for service? Because genuine service is a reflection of God's love and presence.
If a person is going through the motions of service but is doing so with an evil intent, a mixed motive, or a selfish
interest, the person receiving the service will know it. Not only will the provider of the service be suspect,
but the service itself will be suspect.
In our culture today, many have the opinion, “It doesn't matter about the character of the person as long as
the outcome of his or her work is good.” From God's standpoint, the character of the person giving the service
is what makes the outcome of that person's work good! You cannot separate inner character and outer deeds.
You can gloss over the difference, but in the end, a good reputation is vital to good service.
A person's reputation is one of the foremost factors in that person's witness to the world about the saving
grace of God and the empowerment and presence of the Holy Spirit. A person's greatest witness for Christ is found
in the way a person lives his or her daily life. Who you are, from the inside out, is the platform on which you
give service. Your service will not redeem you or make your reputation. Your reputation for having a godly character
is what will redeem your service and give you a witness for Christ Jesus.
We must also be aware that a good reputation does not necessarily spare a person from persecution (2 Tim. 3:12–15).
Those who perform good service to others sometimes are criticized for it, misunderstood because of it, or ridiculed
as being a “goody two-shoes.” What can be said for a good reputation, however, is that it survives persecution—even
if that persecution leads to death. A good reputation lasts, and it impacts others for good. If a person's reputation
is a godly one in Christ Jesus, it will last into eternity.
If you desire for your service to outlive your lifetime and to be credited to your eternal reward, you must
be a person who strives to achieve and maintain a good reputation. Don't be discouraged if you face persecution
or if your reputation is assaulted for the service you perform. Press on. Your reputation will be vindicated
eventually, and your service will be rewarded by God.
• How do you feel if a “bad person” does a good thing for you? What is likely to be your response to the
person, and to the service he or she rendered to you?
What the Word Says
The fruit of the Spirit is … goodness (Gal. 5:22).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches (Prov. 22:1a).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a
bad tree bear good fruit (Matt. 7:17–18).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and imposters will grow worse
and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured
of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which
are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:12–15).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
We should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age (Titus 2:12).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for
the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward
on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well (3 John 4–6).
What the Word Says to Me
• What new insights do you have into the importance of having a godly reputation?
• In what ways are you being spiritually challenged?
The Quality of Being Full of the Holy Spirit
The apostles requested that the members of the Jerusalem church choose as deacons men who were “full of the
Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:3).
As believers, the Holy Spirit is the One who guides us into all good words, good works, and a good walk before
our heavenly Father. He is the One who enables or empowers us to perform good works that have a lasting benefit
to the kingdom of God. It is virtually impossible to do anything on this earth that is of eternal value unless
one is enabled by the Holy Spirit to do that work.
God alone knows which of your works has the potential to be the most effective and productive in His kingdom.
He alone guarantees that your work succeeds, in spite of persecution and your own lack of ability or failures.
God alone can cause a work of service to become a point of witness to a lost soul and can use your service to redeem
lives for all eternity. God alone can assure you of an eternal reward for your service. Without God, nothing that
you do can be remotely as important, beneficial, or lasting as what you do with God.
We already mentioned the deacon Stephen described in Acts 6 as being a man who was, “full of faith and the Holy
Spirit” and “full of faith and power” (Acts 6:5, 8). What an amazing and wonderful reputation to have! To be full
of God's Spirit means that Stephen's life was overflowing and continuously manifesting the very qualities of the
character of God. He was a man who embodied all of the fruit of the Spirit described by Paul: love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22–23). Paul also wrote that
there's nothing in the law—either God's law or man's law—that prohibits a person from manifesting these traits.
They are qualities of character that are desirable in all people, in all periods of history, and
in young and old believers alike.
A servant who is full of the Holy Spirit is a man or woman who is like Jesus, Himself full of the Holy Spirit
from the moment of His birth. A person filled with the Holy Spirit is one who says what Jesus would say in any
given situation, do what Jesus would do to impact any given circumstance, and live as Jesus would live in any environment.
A servant who is full of the Holy Spirit is obviously one who is completely submissive to the Holy Spirit for
direction, guidance, and power. He does nothing that the Holy Spirit does not prompt and enable. He is totally
reliant upon God for every breath he takes and every move he makes.
Christians often say to one another, “If only Jesus were here, He'd remedy this situation.” The fact is, if
we are truly full of the same Holy Spirit that filled Jesus, then it's as if Jesus is in our midst. And our collective
service or ministry to others will be just as effective and meaningful as if that person was touched by the very
hands of Christ Jesus, heard the very words of Christ Jesus, or received the very gifts that Christ Jesus would
give.
When we attempt to serve others without relying upon the Holy Spirit, we burn out, become discouraged at failures
and persecutions, and often become lax in our service and weak in our desire to serve. None of us can remain faithful,
devoted, consistent, and persistent in our service without the Holy Spirit's help.
To be truly effective in your service to others, you must ask the Holy Spirit to work in you and through you—today,
tomorrow, and every day in your future.
• Have you had an experience in which you attempted to do a “good work” without first consulting or relying
upon the Holy Spirit? What were the long-range results—in you, as well as in those you served?
• Have you had an experience in which you know you were 100 percent reliant upon and empowered by the Holy
Spirit in your service? What were the long-range results—in you, and in those you served?
What the Word Says
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law (Gal. 5:22–23).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying
one another (Gal. 5:25–26).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? … The temple of God is
holy, which temple you are (1 Cor. 3:16–17).
What the Word Says to Me
• In what ways are you being challenged in your spirit?
• What new insights do you have into the qualities of character that are associated with effective service?
From Developing a Servant's Heart by Charles
Stanley. Copyright 1998 by Charles Stanley.
