Thinking Deacon

Scriptural Office of the Deacons

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I. The Deaconate: Definite Office Needed for Service and Benevolence.

A. The Need arose for servents or Deacons early in the church after the Ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 6:1-7)

1. Special difficulty had a need to be attended to

a. Widows were being neglected in the daily needs of life.

b. The office of deacon sprang forth to take care of temporal needs in the household of faith.

c. The Apostles knew that it was only proper to take care of the needy discerned
that it was undesireable that they leave the ministery of the word (teaching / preaching / discipling) and go to serve tables. Their need was to pray minister the word.

d. Therefore they set the parameters for the appointment of men to take care of the physical needs of the people.

e. Therefore the N.T. office of deacon was formed.

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. 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. 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. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

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

II. The Qualifications Given

A. The qualifications for the office of deaconz are laid out in general inthe Booke of the Acts of the Apostles as well as in Paul's writing to Timothy in the Pastorals.

1. “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.”

a. Honest report = There is to be no blemish to the integreity of the Deacon. The office calls for the man to have a great reputation. He must be honest, unselfish, have integreity, diligence, desirre to serve,etc. The office of deacon imitates the service shown and taught by the Saviour.

b. Full of the Holy Spirit= the presence of the holy Spirit in the life of a man qualified for a Deacon will manifest theself as his personality characterzied by the fruits of the Spirit (Gal.5). The Deacon will know the word in a practical life functioning way and minister to the needs of the people in the church directed by the Spirit inspired word of God

c. Full of wisdom= The deacons life will initate James 13,17. There is more than knowledge, more than understanding there is the attainment of understanding and the carrying forth of that word to help,guide and direct others.

B. There is a more detailed list of qualifications for the office of Deacon in 1Tim. 3:8-13. The primary focus on the qualifications of deacon rest on the issues of honesty and family and time of proving themselves qualified.

1. Honesty= to help handle others affairs there must be honesty.

2. Family= If you cannot take care of your own family service there is no doubt of the inability of your being able to care for the members of God’s kingdom.

3. Time= With all that the job function requires and with all the monetary obligations it is needful to take time and read men concerning character in proving them qualified as honest and having a proper biblical family.

1 Timothy 3:8-13 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 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.

III. Deacons Under the Spiritual Direction of the Elders

A. The standards for the Deacons are very high but they are not as stringent as for the elders.

1. The elder must be able to teach and by sound doctrine exhort and convict those who contradict the faith.. (1Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9). The elder is a ruling office.

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

2. The deacon must “hold to the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.” The deacon is a office of service to the elders,people and the whole church. Their service is under direction of elders. The apostles functioned in the role of elders and therefore were able to give direction for the selection of the first deacons. (Cp. 1 Pt. 1:1;5:10)

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

IV. Brief list Concerning The Role of a Deacon' Function

A. Ministering to those that lack the physical means to take care of themselves.

B. Visitation duties

C. Handling church monies

1. budgeting

2. distrubiting to needy

3. paying for services rendered for the upkeep of the buildings,etc.

D. Give information and educating the congregration about needs

1. In the church (discreetly)

2. In the community

3. In the state

4. On mission fields

E. Ensuring Widows and Orphans are Cared for

F. ETC.

This list is not exhaustive but directional. There is no limit to how the deacons can serve and create a serving attitude in the people of God.