If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. As we saw in the case of elders, the term refers to a man of moral purity. K I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 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. Carry it to the dumpster and put in a clean bag. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Deacons are an example to people. 7. Deaconesses were never a universally established order. A.The Problem (verse 1)Greek-speaking Jewish widows being overlooked in the distribution of food. 2. All rights reserved. His hands were not the soft hands of royalty, but the rough, callused hands of a carpenter. We sometimes get the erroneous notion that the qualifications for deacons are not as high as those for elders. We dont know whether the argument erupted before or after Jesus took the basin and washed their feet (probably before), but Jesus repeated the lesson about the greatest being the servant and then added (Luke 22:27), For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? 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. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2017, All Rights Reserved. The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. Deacons can encourage, strengthen, and help the pastor as he does his daily work in the church. 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 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. of Deacons | Presbyterian Mission Agency A man who believes every word he says. D Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs. 3. In some cases, they dropped out of church altogether. O And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Q Kids will continue to work on their Bible skills by studying the books of Deuteronomy, Job, Ecclesiastes, Mark, Isaiah, and Micah. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. The passages cited above do not conclusively establish a role or office called deaconess. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.). Thus. How are deacons chosen? In the broad sense, all Christians are called to be deacons or servants.. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Maybe someone criticized them or, people didnt appreciate what they were doing. 9. Since elder and deacon are significantly different positions, men who serve effectively in one position may very well not serve effectively inthe other position.The positions are not interchangeable although one person may serve first as a deacon and then later as an elder. Jesus discusses leadership with his disciples at the end of his ministry. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. Labs Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 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. DiakoneoTo serve in a lowly fashion. How so. Second ( 1 Tim. Does not crave wealth. Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. Bible scholars are generally agreed that the office of deacon finds its roots in Acts 6:1-7, where the early church selected seven men to assist the apostles in caring for the needs of the widows in the early church. Note these conclusions about the ministry of the deacons: 1. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Is it not the one who reclines at table? That brings me to the subject for this study. Almost everything I learned about deacons in a practical sense, I learned while growing up. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae. The question is, does this refer to deacons wives (NIV, ESV, HCSB) or to women deacons (or deaconesses)? Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain. Perhaps they decided that seven men could take care of the job. A deacon is a servant of Christ. An Episcopal Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has a hand-lettered sign over the only door into the sanctuary that reads, Servants Entrance. You cant enter or leave that church except through the servants door (Christianity Today [9/16/91], p. 42). She came to see, We did it for the Lord! All of our service should be first and foremost for the Lord. The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25). Sixth, a deacon must first be tested and found to be above reproach. 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; Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? Key roles included: Visit the sick, care for the needy, handle benevolence, prepare candidates for baptism, assist the elders in behind the scenes ministry. 2. Since men and women were often separated in the early church (following the pattern of the synagogue), deaconesses were needed to minister in ways that would not be appropriate for male elders. In the same way, some denominations have maintained an order of deaconesses to the present day,while others have chosen not to. W And she went up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Phone Call Give your pastor a call and share a Scripture that God has put in your heart for him or her. So in our study of the church, we need to understand the role of all Christians as servants, but also what it means to be an official servant, or deacon. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. What am I to do? Cite this page: Editor: Stephen Smith. 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. Note four things: Most scholars agree that the office of deacon finds its roots in Acts 6:1-6. Matthew 20:24-28. 3 Steps to Strengthening Your Church Through Your Deacon Ministry Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 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. Some men and women may be especially recognized and set apart as deacons and deaconesses. Since wine was commonly served as a gesture of hospitality, it was important for a deacon, making his rounds from house to house, to exercise control or else he could become a drunkard. Also, you are allowed to use (an ellipsis) in order to connect two nearby verses or to omit an off-topic phrase. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs. It is seen in several places in Scripture, most often describing someone who is a domestic servant that is subordinate to their superior. W They serve people, they encourage the pastors, and they bring unity, stability, and purpose to the ministry of the church. The word deacon can be found in 1 Timothy 3:8-10. by Merrill C. Tenney, 2:48-49). Let the desert and its camps raise a tune, calling the Kedar nomads to join in. Do you wash dirty feet? Elders do one thing; deacons do another. The Quiet and Crucial Work of Deacons | Desiring God If they went from house to house with juicy tidbits of private information, they could quickly ruin a church. C There are no exceptions. "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.". I love the church and I love leaders who serve the church. 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. You are God's field, God's building. Note the closing phrase. 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. Second, a deacon must not be double-tongued. Deacons are a people of prayer, leading the congregation in the Prayers of the People to offer prayers for the sick, friendless and needy. 5. At home, does your wife need help? Ive shared this story with you before, but its one Ive never forgotten. 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. E Many believed. Not indulging in much wineNot a heavy wine-drinker. That means helping with jobs that need to be done. For the church of Acts 6, that meant making sure everyone was fed. When they finally finished the translation of the New Testament and held a dedication service, not even one person came! These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. The qualifications especially stress honesty and family life. But a problem arose when the Greek-speaking Jews felt that their widows were being neglected in favor of the native Hebrews. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 5:3-16). Blog, A Only a few refer to the office of deacon in the church (J. Stam, Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible [Zondervan], ed. 23:12), Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. The Lord will reward the person who humbles himself and serves faithfully as a deacon. Whatever youre doing or wherever youre at, youre a servant of the Lord who rescued you from eternal judgment. An exceptionally good piece of news is that these devotions are available for free on the DMC website! Encourage One Another: Giving Grace with Your Words : 9Marks Reliable. 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. Its not optional; its mandatory. Not a flighty person. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. God could have chosen for His Son to be born in Herods palace, where He would have had the best of every worldly comfort. P 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. Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Not flirtatious. If you have your pastor's phone number and communicate often, you can send him or her a text or Whatsapp message with an encouraging Scripture. 1 Timothy 3:11 sets the qualifications for certain women. Romans 16:1-2 describes Phoebe as a deacon or servant who assisted Paul in his ministry. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. How to Write an Ordination Card: 5 Tips Fellow believers encourage one another to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" ( 2 Peter . Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Q. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. In that culture, such lowly tasks were thought to be undignified (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology [Baker], ed. OpenBible.info I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Joshua 1:9. 10. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. read more. 2. Either A or C are most likely. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Publication date: Apr 30, 2023. The very Greek words involved point to the different functions within the body. Matthew 20:24-28. This is to be determined by testing, which does not refer to a period of probation after he becomes a deacon. Praising God and having favor with all the people. Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 1:19). U They appear in the eastern churches, but not in the western ones. These short, but insightful and inspiring pieces, are all based around the theme of "Live As Examples of Christ Jesus". How do deacons differ from elders? 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. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 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. 3. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. A businessman once asked Lorne Sanny, President of the Navigators, how he could know when he had a servant attitude. Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, with all the far-flung islands joining in. 3:13) Yesterday I received a kind note of encouragement from a friend. "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. 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. Hold deep truths of the faithHas a sound grasp of essential Bible doctrine. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. 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. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 2. NOTE: Join us at Explore the Bible as adults and students study the doctrines and applications related to 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. He said (Matt. They dont usually share the limelight with the quarterback, but without their hard work, the quarterback couldnt begin to do his job. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Remember to cite book, chapter, and verse. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 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. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.