The Seven Deacons

The Seven were men "of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom" chosen by the Jerusalem church to oversee the daily distribution to widows, so the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and the word (Acts 6:1–6). Though the noun "deacon" is not used of them, the church has long seen in their appointment the pattern of the diaconate. All seven bear Greek names, reflecting the Hellenist believers they served; two — Stephen and Philip — go on to prominent ministries of preaching and evangelism.

The Seven

Stephen — full of grace and power, the first Christian martyr, stoned after his witness before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:54–60).

Philip the Evangelist — carried the gospel to Samaria and baptized the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26–39).

Prochorus — one of the Seven, known only from the list in Acts.

Nicanor — one of the Seven, named only in Acts.

Timon — one of the Seven, named only in Acts.

Parmenas — one of the Seven, named only in Acts.

Nicolas — "a proselyte of Antioch," a convert to Judaism and then to Christ, the only one so described.