The appointment of the seven deacons - JSS3 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note

The next challenge that confronted the early church was that of inequitable distribution of food items. This was brought about by nepotism and favouritism on the part of the officers of the church charged with the responsibility of distributing food items. This accusation got to the apostles that some of the ethnic groups among the believers were agitating and murmuring against the Hebrews. They complained that the widows among the Greeks and their foreign counterparts were neglected in the daily distribution also got to the apostles.

The apostles took the matter very seriously. Consequently, they called a meeting of the community elders to resolve the issues decisively. This led to the appointment of seven deacons namely:

1. Stephen 
2. Philip
3. Prochorus
4. Nicanor
5. Timon
6. Parmenas
7. Nicolas

These men were full of faith and the Holy Spirit and were fit for job they were appointed for. They were presented to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them and commissioned them for the task. After this the church made progress because the problems of partiality, favouritism and nepotism were resolved.