THE

DEACONS,

WHO ARE

THESE

MEN?

In a general sense the word “Deacon” can mean a:

Waiter Attendant

Servant Minister

The radical idea of the word “deacon” is active service.

In its general sense it includes:

Evangelists

I Timothy 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things,

you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good

doctrine which you have carefully followed.

Any and every faithful servant of Christ.

John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and

where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

However, from the association of the word with the office and work of bishops (I Timothy 3:1) it is

evidenced that the word “Deacon” is used also in an official sense.

In Philippians 1:1 the bishops and deacons are distinguished from the saints in general.

An association of an especially qualified group with the elders in I Timothy 3, indicates a regular

constituted or established office.

In contrast to the bishop which means “overseer” the deacon is a helper or servant of the Church.

His work, as is every other member of the congregation, is under the oversight and in assistance

to the elders of the Church.

In Acts 6:1-6, although not called deacons we see a group of men designated to handle the temporal and

benevolent affairs of the church.

Acts 6:1-6 Now in those days, when the number of the

disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their

widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not

desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from

among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit 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 the Holy

Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they

had prayed, they laid hands on them.

From this passage we observe:

These men were selected by the congregation and then appointed by the apostles.

The performance of the work for which they were selected constituted the full measure of special

responsibilities.

These men were selected to relieve the apostles of secular duties and responsibilities in order that they might give themselves more fully to spiritual matters.

The qualifications of deacons.

I Timothy 3:8-13 Deacons in like manner must be grave, not doubled tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy

lucre; holding the mystery of faith with a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then

serve as deacons, if they be blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanders, temperate, faithful in all things. Let the deacon be the husband

of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have served well as

deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Must be grave.

A man of reverence or dignity.

Not double-tongued

He must be truthful, and not talking two ways to suit the company he is in.

If he is doubled-tongued, it will injure his influence, and would inflict a deadly wound on his spiritual life.

Not given to much wine.

The qualification for an elder is “not given to wine.”

However, the use of strong drink is entirely incompatible with a fully developed Christian

character.

Every Christian should seek in their spiritual growth, to develop the character portrayed for an elder.

The character given for elders is that of the most complete and best-rounded Christian.

This will lead every Christian to entirely refrain from the use of strong drink.

Not greedy of filthy lucer.

Like the elder, deacons must not be lovers of money.

They must not follow callings that will work evil to others or to be so anxious for it that they neglect their

duties as a Christian in order to obtain it.

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

He must do what he believes is right.

He must take hold of the great truths of the Bible with a good and pure conscience.

And let the deacon also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.

The deacons are helpers in ministry and managing the church of God and its work.

By their service they must have proven their intelligence and fidelity and steadfastness to the word

of God.

Like the elder the deacon’s character must be unimpeachable.

One who stands high in the public estimation, known for his pure life and spotless integrity.

Even so must their wives…

The Greek phrase used her simply means “the women” and therefore could refer to :

Deacons’ wives

However, the fact that deacons are referred to again in verses 12 and 13 seems to rule out the idea of a

deaconess.

Female deacons (deaconesses)

Women can help women in things which a man is unsuited to do.

They can do much in the sickroom and in the helping of needy families that a man cannot do.

Even so must their wives be grave.

They also must be reverent and dignified.

Not slanderers.

They are not to circulate false reports or be given to gossip that could hurt others.

Temperate

To be calm and collected in spirit

Faithful in all things.

Moderate and true and faithful in all they say and do.

Let deacons be the husband of one wife.

As was said of the elders he is to be faithful to her.

Ruling their children and their own houses well.

Again like the elders, the deacons must show their ability to care for the church by having shown their

ability in caring for their own families.

For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good stand and great boldness in the

faith which is in Christ Jesus.

In doing his job well, his courage and faith in Christ is strengthened.

And perhaps be in good standing with God.

From Acts 6:1-6 we see that he is to be:

“A man of honest report,” a good reputation both within and outside the church.

“Full of the Holy Spirit,” bearing its fruit in his life.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

“Full of wisdom,” a man of prudence and sound judgment.

Roy E. Cogdill wrote about the deacons in his book, “The New Testament Church.”

In general a deacon owes the same service to the Lord and bears the same responsibility as does

every Christian. He, however, is one upon whom special responsibilities has been laid. The Church,

as is true of every institution in the world, needs leaders. Men upon who special responsibility can be

placed without being shunned or evaded and in whom there can be found to an outstanding degree

the qualities of the real Christian character.

Given by David Hamlin on February 11, 2007 pmGiven by David Hamlin on February 11, 2007 pm Hollister, Missouri church of Christ Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.orgwww.hollisterchurchofchrist.org