Abstract

BREED, G.  and  BREED, D.G.. Reflection on diaconal service in relation to Acts 6:1-7. In Skriflig (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.44, n.3-4, pp.627-654. ISSN 2305-0853.

Acts 6 is traditionally considered as the description of the origin of the special service of deaconship. The essence and duty of diaconal service is inferred from Acts 6:1-7; it is the service responsible for the care of the poor and promotion of mutual support and love in the church. This article re-examines Acts 6. It investigates whether this text truly describes diaconal service and what it conveys about the content and essence of the seven's service. This study shows that Acts 6 does not describe the institution of a special service (office) and that the content and essence of the special diaconal service cannot be derived from this text. Acts 6:1-7 is a description of the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit within the church, related to the difficulties that arise with service (StaKovia) due to rapid growth.

Keywords : Acts 6; deacons; diakonia.

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