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probability Acts 6 does refer to the institution of the diaconate, for: (1) The name diakonoi,
which was, previous to the event narrated in Acts 6, always used in the general sense of
servant, subsequently began to be employed, and in course of time served exclusively, to
designate those who were engaged in works of mercy and charity. The only reason that can be
assigned for this is found in Acts 6. (2) The seven men mentioned there were charged with the
task of distributing properly the gifts that were brought for the agapae, a ministry that is
elsewhere more particularly described by the word diakonia, Acts 11:29, Rom. 12:7; II Cor. 8:4;
9:1,12,13; Rev. 2:19. (3) The requirements for the office, as mentioned in Acts 6, are rather
exacting, and in that respect agree with the demands mentioned in I Tim. 3:8-10,12. (4) Very
little can be said in favor of the pet idea of some critics that the diaconate was not developed
until later, about the time when the episcopal office made its appearance.
3. THE CALLING OF THE OFFICERS AND THEIR INDUCTION INTO OFFICE.
A distinction should be
made between the calling of the extraordinary officers, such as apostles, and that of the
ordinary officers. The former were called in an extraordinary way with an immediate calling
from God, and the latter, in the ordinary manner and through the agency of the Church. We are
concerned more particularly with the calling of the ordinary officers.
a. The calling of the ordinary officers. This is twofold:
(1) Internal calling.
It is sometimes thought that the internal calling to an office in the Church
consists in some extraordinary indication of God to the effect that one is called, — a sort of
special revelation. But this is not correct. It consists rather in certain ordinary providential
indications given by God, and includes especially three things: (a) the consciousness of being
impelled to some special task in the Kingdom of God, by love to God and His cause; (b) the
conviction that one is at least in a measure intellectually and spiritually qualified for the office
sought; and (c) the experience that God is clearly paving the way to the goal.
(2) External calling.
This is the call that comes to one through the instrumentality of the Church.
It is not issued by the Pope (Roman Catholic), nor by a bishop or a college of bishops
(Episcopalian), but by the local church. Both the officers and the ordinary members of the
church have a part in it. That the officers have a guiding hand in it, but not to the exclusion of
the people, is evident from such passages as Acts 1:15-26; 6:2-6; 14:23. The people were
recognized even in the choice of an apostle, according to Acts 1:15-26. It would seem that in
the apostolic age the officers guided the choice of the people by calling attention to the
necessary qualifications that were required for the office, but allowed the people to take part in
the choosing, Acts 1:15-26; 6:1-6; I Tim. 3:2-13. Of course, in the case of Matthias God Himself
made the final choice.