¹⁰ Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

²² Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader.^[a] Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

¹³ Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Discerning False Prophets

4 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

⁶ An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife,^[a] and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. ⁷ A church leader^[b] is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker,^[c] violent, or dishonest with money.

⁶ A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.^[a]

² So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.^[a] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.

⁸ He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

Seven Men Chosen to Serve

6 But as the believers^[a] rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

² So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.

²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.