Many church denominations use members in positions called deacons. As varied as the denominations are, so are the duties and responsibilities of these deacons. By observing their functions in different churches we could ask ourselves some fundamental questions to understand them and their function. Some of the questions I ask myself are: where do deacons come from? What are their purposes? When did the Church start using deacons? Are the servants identified in Acts the beginning of deacons in the church? First we need to define deacon. Vine's dictionary says that deacon, or DIAKONOS in Greek, "principally denotes a servant, either as engaged in servile work, or as a servant rendering free service, without particular reference to his character." In the Scriptures we see deacons as the servants of the church. Deacons do not lead the church, which is the pastor's responsibility, but care for the church as servants. In Philippians 1:1 we see Paul identify three groups of people in the church. They are the general population of believers or saints, bishops and deacons. So we can clearly say that deacons are the helpers of the early church. Homer Kent Jr. classifies Acts 6:1-7 into three distinct categories that he believes Luke has captured in these few verses. The three categories are “The Necessity” (Acts 6:1,2), “The Method” (Acts 6:3-6), and “The Result” (Acts 6:7). In line with this pattern, I will capture the beginning of deacons within the church and answer whether the seven selected men are deacons by definition and action. When the church began to grow, believers were few and they shared everything. And there wasn't much need for deacons. But as time passed, the need for deacons was identified. First things first...half of the paper...they did what deacons do and met the criteria of a deacon, we can call them deacons in the early stages of the church to be further defined later in the church as they became more common. BIBLIOGRAPHY Clarke, Adam, “Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible”, available at http://www.e-sword.netHenry, Matthew, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, United States: HendricksonPublishers, Inc., 2007Kent Jr, Homer A., Jerusalem To Rome Studies In Acts, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2006The Nelson Study Bible, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1997Towns, Elmer L., Theology for Today, Belmont: Wadsworth/Thomas Learning, 2002Vine, W.E. , Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament, Mc Lean: Mac Donald Publishing Company Wesley, John, “John Wesley's Notes on the Bible,” available at http://www.e-sword.net