“At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists
complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected
in the daily distribution. So, the Twelve called together the community of the
disciples and said, ‘It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at
table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the
Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote
ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ The proposal was acceptable
to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the
Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of
Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who
prayed and laid hands on them.” (Acts 6:1-7 NABRE)
There was a need for an additional ministry. a ministry of service to Christ’s Church, and the
diaconate was established. According to the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, the
diaconate gets its name from the Greek diakonos, “to serve”, “to wait at table, or “to care for”,
“to minister", or “to assist.” 1 There would be other men who would be ordained by the
imposition of hands to the ministry of service, a sharing in the ministry of service of Christ, our
Lord. A ministry of service to Christ’s Church, a participation in the mission of the Church to
shepherd the souls of the faithful to heaven.
1
Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, abridged ed., Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Friedrich eds., Geoffrey
W. Bromley trans., (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Erdmans Publishing Company, 1985), 152-154.
3