When doing a little research for my dad in Acts chapter 6 I read the first part through verse 7 where the apostles appointed men to oversee the distribution of bread so that they could concentrate on the service of the word and prayer. This is often said to be where the deaconate was established.

However the word ‘diakonos’, meaning ‘servant’, is never used in this passage. It’s cognates ‘diakonew’ (to serve) and ‘diakonia’ (service) are used. Steven and his pals were to ‘diakoneiv’ the tables (v.2). And the Apostles were to give themselves to the ‘diakonia’ of the word (v.4). Also, in verse one, the service of the tables is called the ‘diakonia’.

So if both the service of tables and the service of the Word are ‘diakoniai’ then why are only the servers of tables called deacons? Why aren’t elders rather called deacons as well and the deaconate split into two branches; physical service and the service of the Word? Both of them do service of intercession.