Acts6_3
Selection of Deacons – Acts 6:3
But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. (6:3) NASB
The Congregation was involved as the apostles commanded the believers to select from their own ranks seven men. It was involved as they would make the final decision for they were also to look over the men and see if they were respected and honorable men.
There was a list of five required characteristics for those appointed in the church work.
1st – To be a leader in the church it had to be a man. (Women had vital roles to fill as did Dorcas, Lydia, Phoebe, Priscilla and others, however God designed the church to have men in leadership roles.
2nd – They were to be “from among you” – meaning members on the congregation and believers.
3rd – they were to be “men of good reputation”. They were to have integrity and be above reproach.
4th – They must be “full of the Spirit” and yielded to it.
5th – They were to possess “wisdom”. Meaning that would have biblical and theological knowledge with practical wisdom to apply it.
The word “select” in Greek is: (episkeptomai)
Strongs: G1980 –1980 ἐπισκέπτομαι [episkeptomai /ep·ee·skep·tom·ahee/] v. Middle voice from 1909 and the base of 4649; TDNT 2:599; TDNTA 244; GK 2170; 11 occurrences; AV translates as “visit” 10 times, and “look out” once. 1 to look upon or after, to inspect, examine with the eyes. 1a in order to see how he is, i.e. to visit, go to see one. 1a1 the poor and afflicted, the sick. 1b to look upon in order to help or to benefit. 1b1 to look after, have care for, provide for: of God. 1c to look (about) for, look out (one to choose, employ, etc.).
Acts6_3
Louw-Nida – LN30.102 – 30.102 ἐπισκέπτομαιa: to choose or select on the basis of having investigated carefully—‘to select carefully, to choose after careful investigation.’ ἐπισκέψασθε δέ, ἀδελφοί, ἄνδρας ἐξ ὑμῶν μαρτυρουμένους ἑπτὰ πλήρεις πνεύματος ‘so then, fellow believers, carefully select seven men among you who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit’ Ac 6:3.
The congregation would make the final decision.