Act 6:1-7, 1Ti 3:8, 10, 12-13 | ESV | STEP | 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 .

Acts 6:1-7

Seven Chosen to Serve

1 Now in these days ^awhen the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists ^{▼▼That is, Greek-speaking Jews} arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in ^cthe daily distribution. 2 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. 3 ^dTherefore, brothers, ^{▼▼Or brothers and sisters} pick out from among you seven men ^fof good repute, ^gfull of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But ^hwe will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, ⁱa man full of faith and ^jof the Holy Spirit, and ^kPhilip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, ^la proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and ^mthey prayed and ⁿlaid their hands on them.

7 And ^othe word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests ^pbecame obedient to ^qthe faith.

1 Timothy 3:8

Qualifications for Deacons

8 ^rDeacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, ^{▼▼Or devious in speech} ^tnot addicted to much wine, ^unot greedy for dishonest gain.

1 Timothy 3:10

10 And ^vlet them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

1 Timothy 3:12-13

12 Let deacons each be ^wthe husband of one wife, ^xmanaging their children and their own households well. 13 For ^ythose who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.