Bible Verses About Acolytes

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

Direct deacon qualification and testing text.

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

Acts 6 names the seven chosen for service.

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Directly states deacons must be dignified and disciplined.

Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;

Temple servants waiting on the sons of Aaron is useful background

For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Mentions the good degree gained by faithful deacon service.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Acts 6:2 provides the service-to-tables context.

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.

Another temple-service background passage

And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.

Shows attendants in sanctuary service

And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.

Shows Levites attending tabernacle work

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 6:3 states the men are appointed to this duty.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Generic servant language in 1 Timothy 6:2, not about acolytes.

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:6 shows laying on of hands for the appointed servants.

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Lists deacons' household qualifications.

And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.

Lists sacred duties for temple workers

They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge.

Shows ministers keeping charge in the sanctuary

And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Let all things be done decently and in order.

Supports the general principle of orderly church practice.

These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.