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Lessons & Sermons
A Brief Look At The Deaconship
Already
having investigated the lesson concerning elders makes the concept and presentation
of the work and role of deacons easier to grasp. The godly institution of
deacons in the church follows a similar pattern (Tupos) as with that
of elders. God's divine organization in the local church consists of evangelists,
elders and deacons (Acts 6:1-6; Ephesians 4:11; Philippians 1:1). We witness
again that from Old to New Testament scripture God has not left congregational
leadership in the hands of one individual (Exodus 18:16-26; Numbers 11:16-17).
Terminology
Explained:
To fully understand
the concept and role of deacons the word deacon must be defined. The term
deacon is a transliteration, coming from the Greek word Diakonos, and
means servant or minister. The definition also indicates that it is a role
and disposition that is assumed willingly and voluntarily. Its derivation
likely comes from the Greek word Diakonis which means, “laboring in
the dust or running in the dust.” This possibly reveals to us the primarily
physical nature of the deaconship as opposed to the spiritual nature of the
eldership. However, this does not mean that a deacon does not have to be spiritual.
This is simply God's way of selecting spiritual men to perform a physical
and material work. Close biblical study and research of the term Diakonos
can leave the investigator with a slight problem because all Christians are
servants and ministers performing Diakonia, serviceable labor.
Because of
the latter statement, the role and work of deacons must be contextually pulled
from the pages of inspiration because every time the word Diakonos
is transliterated it is not referring to the godly ordained office of the
deaconship. A prime and interesting example of this is found in the book of
Romans where Phebe is referred to, in some Bible translations, as a deaconess.
Some have used this to support women authorized leadership in the church.
Nevertheless, the contextual term Diakonos, in this case, is not referring
to the office of a deacon. It is referring to general service or ministry.
The correct translation of this passage is rendered below:
Romans
16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the
church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh
saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you:
for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
Because of
her diligence and service Phebe was the first Christian mentioned on Paul's
list of commendation but in no way could she have met the qualifications of a
deacon (I Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-7).
Qualifications
of Deacons Defined:
The earliest
biblical view we have of deacons and their qualifications is found in the
sixth chapter of the book of Acts. In Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3:8-13 we find
the qualifications that Christian men must possess if they are to be appointed
as deacons.
Acts
6:3 “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.”
1
Timothy 3:8 ҦLikewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongue, not given
to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in
a pure conscience.
10
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon,
being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers,
sober, faithful in all things.
12
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their
own houses well. 13 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.”
Deacon
Qualifications in Acts 6:3
·
Honest
report: It is
translated from the Greek word Martureo and means to be of good
character.
·
Full
of the Holy Ghost: The
word Holy is translated from the Greek word Hagios and denotes things
set apart by God. The word Spirit is translated from the Greek word Pneuma
and has many uses, but most literally means the wind or breath of God,
breathed into man. He (Holy Spirit) is the third part of the Godhead. From
this we can surmise that "Full of the Holy Ghost" speaks of a man
who is evidently spiritual.
·
Full
of wisdom: Wisdom is
translated from the Greek word Sophia and speaks of a person who has the
knowledge of how to regulate his relationship with God, is prudent with others
and knows how to regulate circumstances.
These were
the qualifications that the seven selected deacons met before their appointment
in Acts 6:1-6.
Deacon
Qualifications in I Timothy 3:8-13
"Likewise
must the deacons be..."
·
Grave: Translated from the Greek word Semnos
and denotes a person of earthly dignity who owes his modesty to God, inspires
respect and is inwardly attractive.
·
Not
double-tongued: If a
man is grave he will not speak different things in different situations out of
deceit and a deceptive heart.
·
Not
given to much wine: This
phrase can be rendered "Not addicted to wine." A deacon cannot be an
active alcoholic. The condition of water for consumption purposes at this time
in history was poor. Because of this, wine was often used in various fashions but
a deacon was/is not be found abusing the fruit of the vine.
·
Not
greedy of filthy lucre:
Translated from the Greek word Aischrokerdes and equates to monetary
sordid gain and greediness.
·
Verse
9 “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." In
Ephesians 1:9-14 we learn that the mystery is the fact that God saves all
people who obey His will through the church, regardless of race. There was much
racial conflict and prejudice between Jewish people and those who were not
Jewish and the stipulation is commanded to keep deacons from falling into the
trap of not rendering their service to another because of racial issues.
·
"...Let
these also first be proved": Translated from the Greek word Dokimazo and means to
approve, allow, discern and examine. Some Bible scholars equate this passage to
illustrate that a deacon must be given a trial period before reception of their
actual appointment. This may be true but it is not a flawless argument.
·
Found
Blameless: Translated
from the Greek word Anegkletos and means unaccusable, unaccused and
unspotted.
·
The
wives of deacons must be grave, not slanderers, sober and faithful in all
things. The phrase “Not slanderers” is translated from the Greek word Diabolos
and is attributed to Satan, meaning to divide and accuse people without any
reason.
·
A
deacon must be the husband of one wife and manage/oversee his house and
children well.
·
Verse
13. "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."
The
Work of Deacons:
The
following scriptures contain the word Diakonos but are not referring to
the special office of the deaconship: Matthew 23:11; Mark 9:35; John 2:5,
12:26; Romans 16:1.
As stated earlier, the specific work of the
Diakonos (Deacon) must be pulled from the biblical context in which
it is used as well as its historical application. Each time the word deacon
is used biblically, the service or ministry (Diakonia) of the servant is not
always defined or stated. For example, such is the case in Romans 12:7 and
Colossians 4:17. The specific ministry of Archippus is not defined and neither
is the gift of ministry/ministering Paul was stating that the Roman Christians
should wait on. “In the Greek world, Diakonos was used to describe
the work of a servant—a person who waited on tables or ministered as a religious
official.” At the time of its institution (Acts 6:1-7) the office may have
paralleled that of the Jewish synagogue assistant who took care of the administrative
needs of the assembly.
The specific
work of the Diakonos is found in the meaning of the word just as the
work of elders is found in its descriptive terminology: Elder, Pastor, Overseer,
Shepherd. The work of the deaconship hinges upon a physical work rather than
a spiritual work. This does not mean the men are not spiritual, it simply
shows that in the house of God, He wants all matters, regardless of their
weight, to be handled by spiritual individuals. We see that deacons are not
required to teach or at least it is not stipulated that they must be apt to
teach as elders, but this must not be viewed as an exclusion from teaching.
From context, word definition(s) and the qualifications in I Timothy 3:8-13
it appears that this office is not governed and qualified for by having the
ability to persuasively teach the Word of God. In regard to godly organization,
teaching and preaching are left up to the evangelists and elders.
However, we
do have the case of Stephen and Philip who were two of the seven ordained
deacons in Acts 6:1-6 and they clearly possessed a firm handle of the Word
of God. In Acts chapter 7 Stephen
preached a gospel sermon that convincingly, profoundly and persuasively recapped
Old Testament history and linked it with the crucifixion of Christ and institution
of His blood bought church. His lesson was so powerful it resulted in him
being stoned to death by his audience. An angel leads Philip to an Ethiopian
Eunuch in the very next chapter (Acts 8:26-39). The Eunuch was reading Isaiah
chapter 53 but was unable to understand what he was reading. From the same
book and chapter Philip began to preach Jesus and the result was the Eunuch’s
baptism. Although this office is not governed by the ability to teach it would
be irresponsible to state that deacons cannot have a primary teaching role
on some level in the church.
In
Philippians 1:1 we see the distinction between the office of the eldership and
deaconship from the saints in the church at Philippi. In the opening of this
epistle Paul addressed all Christians but separates the flock from the elders
and deacons. The word “deacons” is still translated Diakonos but in this
case it is clear that Paul is speaking of the unique office of the deaconship.
In Acts
6:1-7 we find the first appointment of deacons in the church:
¶And in those days, when the number
of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians
against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily
ministration. 2 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. 3 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. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the
ministry of the word. 5 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: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed,
they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the
number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of
the priests were obedient to the faith.
In this particular
matter the need arose for a group of spiritually qualified men to take care
of some physical and material church business for some spiritual people. This
void needed to be filled so the apostles could continue to preach the Word
of God and not be hindered or constrained by the noble ministry (Diakonia)
of passing out food. To prevent this hindrance deacons were selected and appointed.
The process of apostles tending to the spiritual needs of the congregation
and the deacons tending to the physical and material needs, resulted in church
growth and increased obedience.
It should be stated that in these seven verses of scripture two ministries
(Diakonia) are mentioned; table ministry (Acts 6:2) and word ministry (Acts
6:4). Both the table and the word ministries are/were important to the welfare
of the local church. The apostles did not view the ministry of passing out
food and whatever other material needs went with it as unimportant or unnecessary.
Because they saw it as a necessary and beneficial ministry they selected men
to tend to that business (Chreia). God instructs His children not to be slothful
in business (Romans 12:11). “Ministry of the word” refers to the preaching
of the gospel and doctrine of Christ, while"to serve tables" refers
to serving the physical needs of people as a waiter. The latter is the designed
local church work of ordained deacons.
Whatever the
physical and material needs of the congregation are rest in the hands of the
deacons, which prevents the elders and evangelist from functioning in a diminished
capacity. When this happens a congregation is able to function at optimal
level and the constant spiritual and physical needs of the flock are efficiently
addressed.