He must be able to pass the test of having the eyes of the entire church rest upon him. Is anyone among you sick? Is it not the one who reclines at table? Sixth, a deacon must first be tested and found to be above reproach. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. 4. All rights reserved. Psalm 146:5, 9. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Not emotionally unstable. Amen. B. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you. Joshua 1:9. G 2 Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. But through Bills ministry that week, she had begun to see things from Gods perspective. Matthew 20:24-28. "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.". "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. These short, but insightful and inspiring pieces, are all based around the theme of "Live As Examples of Christ Jesus". 3:12): Deacons must be good managers of their children and their own households. This is also the same as the requirement for elders (1 Tim. Whatever youre doing or wherever youre at, youre a servant of the Lord who rescued you from eternal judgment. From among the congregation, some men and women will be especially recognized for their outstanding servant-spirit. Test him first and then recognize him. Financial and business affairs completely above board and beyond all question. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses. Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. To deacon.. Note the closing phrase. ( 1 Tim. Not a flighty person. Paul mentions four qualifications: First, they must be dignified. That means helping with jobs that need to be done. Exodus 29:29-46 "The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him, that in them they may be anointed and ordained. Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 4. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John. In my opinion, we would be well within the bounds of the New Testament if we recognized certain godly women as deaconesses. Thats a crucial distinction because it helps us understand that when Paul speaks of deacons in I Timothy 3 and Philippians 1:1, hes not simply talking about an office but about the quality of the people who fill the office. The word deacon simply means a servant. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. Serving Christ is not volunteering, where you give a few hours now and then to help out. Grab a paper towel and wipe it clean. 12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. In the same way, some denominations have maintained an order of deaconesses to the present day,while others have chosen not to. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.. Note these conclusions about the ministry of the deacons: 1. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. J C Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They are given oversight over all aspects of church life. Trustworthy in everythingFaithful in all her relationships. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. Carry it to the dumpster and put in a clean bag. A deacon often ministers to widows and single women, and so its especially important for him to be a man who is pure in thought and deed. As we saw in the case of elders, the term refers to a man of moral purity. M And he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Labs Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition The Lockman Foundation, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. Currently at FCF, we have deacons of womens ministries, youth, missions, outreach, technology, and facilities. Just be faithful and reverent. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. The NIVs deep truths of the faith is misleading. After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 1. Not a chatter-box. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Still later, I pastored a church in California that had neither elders nor deacons. This is the same word used for male deacons (1 Tim. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. This passage is exceedingly important because it shows how various levels of leadership work together to meet the needs of the congregation. C E. The Commissioning (verse 6)Public recognition by laying on of hands. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faiththat you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, Who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 3:13) Yesterday I received a kind note of encouragement from a friend. Summary In a general sense, every Christian is called to be a deacon (the New Testament word diakonos simply means "servant"). 12:28) or service (Rom. Here are three practices to employ that help your deacons fulfill their role: (1) Pray for Them I know you have heard the phrase: "prayer changes things." While that is an extra-biblical slogan, it is true. These short, but insightful and inspiring pieces, are all based around the theme of "Live As Examples of Christ Jesus". What is a deacon? Psalm 37:4. 2. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 3:13): For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.. The first comes horizontally from the church; the other descends vertically from God. They also hint at some kind of formal recognition. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Honest and unhypocritical. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae. She came to see, We did it for the Lord! All of our service should be first and foremost for the Lord. How long should deacons serve? All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. His mother said to the servants, Do whatever he tells you.. Blog, A And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, For by grace you have been saved through faith. 11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. Rather, it means that a man has an observed track record before he is put into office. B 5:3-16). In my college church, we had deacons but they were far removed from me. Phone Call Give your pastor a call and share a Scripture that God has put in your heart for him or her. Even at the Last Supper, as Jesus was burdened about His approaching death, the disciples were still arguing about which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:23-24). The greatest among you shall be your servant. What is Paul? P He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Cite this page: Editor: Stephen Smith. The word deacon can be found in 1 Timothy 3:8-10. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Ive shared this story with you before, but its one Ive never forgotten. This is to be determined by testing, which does not refer to a period of probation after he becomes a deacon. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. Why would he do this only for deacons wives? Church grew. Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Publisher: OpenBible.info. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.read more. "Have I not commanded you? Is Paul thinking of a group of godly deaconesses? 2. 09.24.2014. The mystery of the faith is Pauls term for Christian truth, especially the gospel. Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. A man who believes every word he says. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers. Able to keep a secret told in confidence. To me, he was the epitome of what a deacon should besomber, serious, well-dressed, very old (anybody over 30 was old to me), a man you never dared to speak to unless he spoke to you first. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. 3. 1:1). Manages problems from a biblical perspective. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 2. There are others who serve in various ways who probably should be recognized officially as deacons. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. The women are the wives of the deacons B. Also, in Romans 16:1, Phoebe is called a deacon (servant) of the church. The historical record thus reflects the ambiguity of the New Testament in this area. As a part of that oversight, the elders are to delegate major areas of responsibility to the deacons so that they (the elders) can maintain their major priorities and not be bogged down in the minutiae of day-to-day church life. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. So if the Lord is putting it on your heart to serve, talk to one of the elders. Maybe someone criticized them or, people didnt appreciate what they were doing. How many deacons does a church need? Lowly, menial, behind-the-scenes service. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Be strong and courageous. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? Such men and women are true deacons (or servants) in both the broad sense and the particular sense. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. James and John used their mother to ask Jesus that in His kingdom they might sit one on His right hand and one on His left. TopicalBible They should be persons of deep faith and high moral standards (see 1 Timothy 3:8-13), committed to a life of prayer, study and other spiritual . ( Heb. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. What does the Bible say about Deacons? R We can find the office of a deacon established in Acts 6:1-7 . Be the change you want to see. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. Three interpretations are popular: A. Not only could this devotional resource keep our vision fresh, but it also will invite us to explore the meaning of the phrases in the charge of deacons - encouraging us to search for ways to make this come alive in our own contexts. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 4. Jesus discusses leadership with his disciples at the end of his ministry. K One who performs lowly service on behalf of another. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.read more.Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. And there are plenty of other ministry needs that could use help. They also ministered directly to other womenin evangelism, teaching, preparation for baptism and general discipleship. Deacons can encourage, strengthen, and help the pastor as he does his daily work in the church. The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. A deacon is a servant of Christ. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead., And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.. A second task of the deacons in Acts 6 was to care for the physical needs of the poor and needy in the church. Note the words in verse 44 of those who neglected those duties: Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? The word translated help is diakoneo. KJV grave.. The question is, does this refer to deacons wives (NIV, ESV, HCSB) or to women deacons (or deaconesses)? 3:12 ): "Deacons must be good managers of their children and their own households." This is also the same as the requirement for elders ( 1 Tim. A deacon should have a seriousness of purpose about him, so that those he serves sense that he is concerned for them, so that they trust and respect him. But I am among you as the one who serves.. Third, a deacon must not be addicted to much wine. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Serious man of dignity, not a clown. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband. What am I to do? In 1 Timothy 3, Paul lists six character qualifications: First, a deacon must be a man of dignity. Larger Text. What is Paul? This caused the other disciples to grow indignant (Matt. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Y They couldnt be goof-offs. They would serve alongside the deacons in various crucial areas of leadership under the general oversight of the elders of the church. The concept of women serving as deaconesses appears very early in church. 1 of 13 Put Spring in Your Spirit by Erin Keeley Marshall "Sing to God a brand-new song, sing his praises all over the world! Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. Chooses not to speak evil of others. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Even if the church doesnt notice, God does. Is anyone among you sick? And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. A deacon could not be a man who would pursue dishonest gain. When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 1 Timothy 5:3-16 sets forth Pauls teaching concerning widows. Thanks for your interest! If an elder knows of a family that needs care of some kind, and assigns it to a deaconess, he needs to be able to trust her to follow through. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Deacons are an example to people. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. A deaconess is either a woman deacon or any godly woman filling a recognized position of service in the local church. NOTE: Join us at Explore the Bible as adults and students study the doctrines and applications related to 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Fifth, a deacon must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Whether you are a pastor or a church member, deacons can and should impact what you do in the kingdom in a very positive way. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Mystery refers to that which once was hidden, but now has been revealed in Christ. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? In fact, the word deacon is simply a transliteration of the Greek word for table servant or waiter. Dr. W. A Criswell offers this helpful definition: The word in the New Testament for deacon is diakonos. Their main job was to free up the apostles from administrating the distribution of food to the Hellenistic widows so that the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. Y So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. Nothing against themFree from accusation. No accusation can successfully be brought against any aspect of his life or conduct. Manage his wife and household wellAble to handle his home life in an admirable fashion. 8. Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. These three words are used in various forms over 100 times in the New Testament. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. November 10, 2017. You shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him; and you shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve Me as priests. Verse 13 describes Gods reward for those who serve well in this office. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae. Beyond that, they were a mysterious presence, a group both frightening and reassuring. Find out more about these various studies by clicking here. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Elders do one thing; deacons do another. Labs 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. If a woman is swayed by her emotions, she will not be able to point needy women to Gods truth, which is the only source of true healing for their problems. He is a man who wants to serve; he wants to help when the people of God are hurting; and he wants to aid them. They must be spiritually mature men and women. In the broad sense, all Christians are called to be deacons or servants.. As I think back, I dont believe I ever saw him without a coat and tie on. That brings me to the subject for this study. They are a blessing, and I pray that you and your church appreciates them like I do. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.. The deacon-spirit of humble service for others should motivate all that we do. 20:20, 24). That sign states an important truth: If you know Christ as Savior, youre His servant. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. You can reach him by emailing Fran.Trascritti@Lifeway.com. John 12:26 - If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. It took the disciples a while to understand that Jesus the Messiah did not come at first to conquer all His enemies and establish His throne, with each of them sharing His power and glory. It means, literally, not called to account. No legitimate charges could be brought against him. But every Christian should have the mindset, I am a servant (or a slave) of Jesus Christ. Theres a difference between those terms, and yet Jesus used them interchangeably when He told His disciples (Mark 10:42-45): You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 1. F The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. And she went up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Or, it makes them feel important or even superior to meet others needs. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. Matthew 20:24-28. What then is Apollos? The ESV translates, not greedy for dishonest gain. This is also a qualification for elders (Titus 1:7). Three Key Scriptures. 3:12): Deacons must be husbands of only one wife . This is the same as the requirement for elders, literally, a one-woman man (1 Tim. What does the Bible say about the office of deacon in the local church? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) Is it not the one who reclines at the table? This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. 1 Timothy 3:11 Verse Concepts The word means, able to make sound judgments. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Dr. Fran Trascritti (@frantras)is a husband, father, and grandfather, but most of all, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 25:31-46. They serve people, they encourage the pastors, and they bring unity, stability, and purpose to the ministry of the church. 2. The word servant originally referred to those who served tables (John 2:5, 9; Acts 6:2). But as they came toward the end of the translation project, the tribal people had become more and more involved in selling their crops for the drug trade and less and less interested in the Scriptures. So a main function of deacons is to take care of administrative or other tasks to free up the elders for prayer, teaching, and shepherding the flock. Q At home, does your wife need help? Fourth a deacon must not be fond of sordid gain. Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2017, All Rights Reserved. Paul never specifically mentions what deacons were supposed to do. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Most of the time they do not refer to the office of deacon. M DiakoneoTo serve in a lowly fashion. Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God suppliesin order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. You can find the devotionalsby clicking here. Consider how the various Greek words mentioned above are applied in the New Testament: 1. Therefore it says, When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men. (In saying, He ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.". Loving others includes encouraging one another. But I am among you as the one who serves. Z. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. 1 Timothy 3:12 - Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
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