The disciples were increasing in number, and the Greek speaking Jews complained, because their widows were neglected in the daily distributing of food. The 12 told all the disciples they needed to devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer, so they needed to appoint godly men to fill in this gap in the ministry. This pleased the whole gathering, so they chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus. They prayed and laid their hands on them. The Word of God continued to increase, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and many [Jewish priests] became obedient to the faith. Stephen was doing great wonders and signs, so some men seized him and brought him before the council, and in the face of false witnesses and accusations Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel.
The priority of the church was ministry of the Word and prayer, but basic needs had to be met fairly, so they established men to serve. With the office of elder and deacon the Word of God only increased and the number of disciples multiplied, even among the Jewish priesthood. Disciples of Christ face trials with joy, because our hope is in Christ and in our being with Him. Christians have nothing to fear from this world.