Who were the deacons in the Bible?
Matthew Perez
Updated on March 10, 2026
Who were the deacons in the Bible?
The Seven Deacons were:
- Stephen the Protomartyr.
- Philip the Evangelist.
- Prochorus.
- Nicanor.
- Timon.
- Parmenas.
- Nicholas.
Where in the Bible does it talk about deacons?
In verses 8-13, Paul describes the work of deacons and the moral character of deacons which he considers to be very important for the health and for the growth of a local congregation. As such, he addresses the job of deacons, the qualifications of deacons, and the reward of deacons in the local church.
What are the qualities of 7 deacons?
Qualities of the Seven Deacons:
- They should be men of good repute, that is, men of good character.
- They should be men of wisdom and understanding.
- They must be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Who was the first deacon in the New Testament?
Stephen
Because Stephen is mentioned first among the seven men ordained as deacons in Acts 6:5-6, and is the only one singled out for his attributes (“a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost”), he is often regarded as the first deacon as well as the first martyr.
What qualifies you to be a deacon?
Deacons must be at least 35 years old and practicing, baptized members of the Roman Catholic Church. If baptized as an adult, a deacon must have belonged to the church for at least five years prior to being ordained. Deacons must meet education requirements, as well. They must have earned a high school diploma or GED.
What is the role of the deacons?
During the Mass, the deacon’s responsibilities include assisting the priest, proclaiming the Gospel, announcing the General Intercessions, and distributing Communion. They may also preach the homily. As clerics, deacons are required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours.
What can a deacon do?
Deacons can baptize, witness marriages, perform funeral and burial services outside of Mass, distribute Holy Communion, preach the homily (which is the sermon given after the Gospel at Mass), and are obligated to pray the Divine Office (Breviary) each day.
What are the duties of a deacon?
The Duties of a Deacon
- Pass the sacrament.
- Watch over the Church.
- Warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.
- Assist the bishop with temporal things.
- Fellowship quorum members and other young men.
What is the role of a deacon’s wife?
The wife of the permanent deacon is given the responsibility of forming the marital covenant towards greater agape. The development of ecclesial norms concerning married deacons in the 1984 Revision is intricately connected to the demographic of permanent deacons in the United States at the time.
What is the wife of a deacon called?
Diakonissa
Diakonissa is a Greek title of honor that is used to refer to a deacon’s wife. It is derived from diakonos—the Greek word for deacon (literally, “server”).
What is the difference between a pastor and a deacon?
In Catholicism, a pastor is a fully ordained priest who is in charge of a parish. A Catholic deacon is an ordained minister who can proclaim the Gospel, preach sermons, act as an ordinary minister of the Eucharist, conduct marriages, and conduct ceremonial baptisms.
Who can be a deacon?
Only men can be deacons; it is an ordained position and only men can be ordained in the Catholic Church. Permanent deacons are ordained to the Catholic Church and have no intentions of becoming a priest. Deacons may be married or single.
Who were the Seven Deacons in the New Testament?
The seven deacons The apostle’s request pleased the believers. And they chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. Tradition tells us that Stephen and Philip were both of the Seventy that were sent into every city and village to proclaim that the Messiah had come (Luke 10:1–11).
Did the early church always have deacons?
A. First, it is evident that the early church did not always have deacons. Acts 6:1-6 and Titus 1:5 show this, as do apparently Acts 14:23 and 1 Thess 5:12. B. It is also evident that deacons were added when the need was felt. That need was in relation to the duties of the elders.
What does the Bible say about elders and deacons?
What Does the Bible Say About Elders And Deacons? The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
How many deacons were there in Acts 6?
The council of Neo-Caesarea (A.D. 314; Canon 14) called for seven deacons in a locality. Many Bible analysts believe that the seven men selected in Acts 6 is parallel to the “ elders ” mentioned in Acts 11:30; 14:23 and onward.