Resolving Matters of Material Needs

Pressure and stress pressed in upon the body of Christ in the early days of the church. Persecution was intensifying and the large numbers of people being saved made for a situation in which many people needed help with the necessities of everyday life. Compounding the problem were the cultural differences between the two major people groups who formed the new community of believers.

To resolve the problem of getting the personal needs of the people met, without distracting the leadership of the church from their ministry of the Word of God, godly men were appointed to assume leadership and oversight of this area of the ministry.

As the apostles went off the scene their responsibilities and oversight in the church has been entrusted to elders. As the church expanded and developed the office of deacon was designated to further assign responsibilities necessary for the efficiency and effectiveness of the ministry in each local church.