Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. [6] These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

1. The selecting of the Seven may be the historical foreshadowing of a more developed structure later (see Phil. 1.1 and 1 Tim. 3.8-13).

2. Their reason for being: varied and numerous responsibilities emerging in the ever-growing Messianic community, the Church

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3. Their authority: the Apostles

a. The Apostles authorized the selection of godly leaders who would be set over the affairs of the just administration of resources in the body.

b. The congregation selected from among their midst seven who would be set before the Apostles.

c. The Apostles commissioned these Seven whom the Church had chosen, prayed for, laid their hands upon, and delegated this important ministry to them.

4. Their burden: assistance to the leaders through the division of labor

a. The deacons gave themselves to the good work of caring for the Hellenist widows.