Quesiton
MISCONCEPTIONS OF DEACONS AND THEIR WORK.
Answer
1. DEACONS HAVE AUTHORITY: This misconception is brought about because of the phrase “office of deacon” in the King James Version in (1Timothy 3:10, 13). The American Standard Version, and other versions and Berry’s Interlinear, use the phrase “serve as deacons.” Robert Milligan in his book The Scheme of Redemption says the word carries with it the idea of “active service”. “Office of a deacon”—every other time (34 in all) it is translated “serve, servant or ministry”. McClinton and Strong: “Derived from a word to run or hasten kindred with pursue, hence strictly a runner, messenger, or servant.” It carries with it the idea of urgency. The work of a deacon is one of service. The problem is that in thinking of it as an office is that we get the idea they have some kind of authority. But the correct idea of one being a deacon is that they are going to be a worker, an active worker in a specific capacity, a servant.
2. THE WORK IS NOT IMPORTANT: The very fact Paul placed the qualification of deacons in the same chapter with elder’s qualifications indicates the work is important. In its own way and place it is as vital as the work of elders, and both are vital to the church fulfilling its mission. The second problem in the church (Acts 6) came about because there were no men doing the work deacons are to do. Something was being neglected. The apostles had more than they could do. There was a need in the church that was met by these men. 1 Corinthians 12:28 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” And Thayer says the word “helps” refers to deacons in caring for the sick. The deacons had miraculous endowments (Acts 6:8) and one can see the class deacons are placed here in 1 Corinthians 12. Deacons are not just to have someone to turn out the lights and shut the door. We have preachers are doing the work of elders and elders doing the work of deacons and the deacons are doing nothing. But the work deacons do is very important.
3. DEACONS ARE NOT “JUNIOR ELDERS”: This is not an automatic stepping stone to becoming an elder or a prerequisite for becoming one..
4. DEACONS ARE OVER THE TEMPORAL AND PHYSICAL THINGS AND ELDERS ARE OVER THE SPIRITUAL. This is usually because of misunderstanding of Acts 6. If were over the physical the contribution of the needy saints would have been sent to the deacons (Acts 11:30), instead of it being “…sent it to the elders….” If the deacons controlled the physical and the elders the spiritual, the deacons could have more control because if the Deacons had control of the money (Physical) and they didn’t like the preacher, although the elders liked him and he was preaching the truth, the deacons could withhold the money and force him to leave. Or if they had control of the building and wanted to do something the elders did not approve of, they could just lock the building until the elders gave in. But physical money has a spiritual connection. We are required to give upon the first day of the week (physical money), but it is more than putting money in the plate. (We must give “cheerfully”; “as we have propsered”, etc. To be pleasing it must also be spiritual.) It is the thought behind the giving that gives it a spiritual connotation. It must be given for the right reasons and used accordingly. The same goes for the building. “Waiting on tables” was a physical act, but had a spiritual meaning.
5. THE ELDERS AND THE DEACONS OVERSEE THE CHURCH: This is not a joint venture. Only the elders oversee the church. If they both did, in many instances the deacons could “out vote” the elders because the usually out number them. In situations where the elders never meet without the deacons what you really have is all elders. The elders should seek the opinion as well as the opinion of the members, but they must make the final decision. Too many times the elders never ask for the opinion of either.
6. ONE OR MORE DEACONS MAY LEAD IN OPPOSITION TO THE ELDERS. You have a bad situation when it becomes the deacons verses the elders. Or where one or more deacons try to take control. Moreover one of the qualifications of deacons is that they are not to be “double-tongued”. Therefore they cannot divide the church in this manner.
THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS (1 TIMOTHY 3:8-13) The fact there are qualification shows this is an important work. Where are the qualifications for a man being able to lead a song, or a prayer, or to wait on the Lord’s table? Many of these qualifications are the same ones Christians must possess.
1. “Must be grave”—He must be serious minded about (a) being a Christian (b) doing the work of a deacon (c) life in general. This character trait would cause others to respect him.
2. “Not double-tongued”—This involves contact with people. If a man’s tongue is not what it should be, it is a revelation his heart is not right (Matthew 12:34). Due to his work though, his heart must be right. His attitude, disposition and life must be one that will influence people. Moffet renders it “not a tale-bearer”. His word is to be dependable. Not to talk one way to one person and another way to another or say one thing to one person and the very opposite to someone else. He is not interested in his own personal welfare. He does not want to be able to influence people in order to be able to use them for his own gain and purpose.
3. “Not given to much wine”—His life is centered upon spiritual things. He is not pleasure oriented, Paul said in (2 Timothy 3:4) some were “…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” as one tending to social drinking would indicate. He is not saying a little is all right because one does not have to be an alcoholic for his drinking to influence his work. Again this shows his work involves social work and social matters.
4. “Not greedy of filthy lucre”—He is not to be more interested in gain than in godliness and the glory of God. He is not to live in order to get but in order to give. (Ephesians 4:28) One of the primary works of a deacon has to do with benevolence. He is to be one that is generous in life and heart that lives for the good of others. He labors in order to be able to give. How can they expect others to give, if they do not? A true leader would not expect anything out of his followers that he himself would not do. (What kind of a deacon would Ananias (Acts 5) or Judas (John 12:4-5) have made? What kind of influence would they have had on the church?) So from the “work” of deacons we can see the influence they would have over the growth of the church. And with that kind of attitude and influence their work is comparable to the work of elders.
5. “Let these first be proved…blameless”—He must be tested or proven. It would be foolish to put one in this place of influence that you had no idea of his background and character. But he is not perfect, and when there is wrong in his life, he will out of a penitent heart correct the matter because he knows not only how sin effects his life and also the body of Christ.
6. “Wife…children”—His family life must be correct because home is the real test of what we are. When we are away from home we tend to put on a face, but when we are at home we are what we really are and our real character comes out. We seem to think we are shut out from the world and none can see but our family and it doesn’t matter how we live or talk.
7. “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience”—He must know what the faith is. To him the Bible is not something intellectual to be studied in order to win an argument, but it effects his very being and it remolds and remakes him on the inside. Therefore he won’t compromise truth. Titus 1:15 “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” To one whose conscious is not sensitive, when sin effects his life, he won’t stay pure. He will uphold and defend and excuse things in his own life that do not need to be excused. And he will condone in others things that should be rebuked.
8. 1 Timothy 3:13 “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.” Thayer says the word “for” means “for this reason or cause”. Paul therefore concludes with THE REASON FOR DEACONS AND THEIR WORK: Deacons are the reflection of the message that is to come from the pulpit. Then the church is built around the message and not the pulpit or preacher, and this is reflected out in the community. Too many times elders are try to influence the world by hiring a preacher with “charisma” which centers the church around the preacher and not the gospel and Christ. While individual Christians are to reflect the gospel, the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 show deacons are to reflect that in a special way. “Purchase”—means literally “to win”. “A good degree” is translated in the (ASV) “gain a good standing”. So here is one that serves as a deacon and serves well, but he has not earned anything because when we have done all we are still “unprofitable servants”. (Luke 17:10) But he has gained “a good degree” or place of influence. His life and character is such that he has reached a position of trust and influence. He has great boldness in speaking, not fearful or reserved, but wins and influences for the good of the church. A store will put their very best merchandise on display to try to influence people to buy. Deacons are God’s display of his people in a community. In a world that’s sinful and ungodly, here are men that are selected, and measure up to God’s standards, and shine like a light in a congregation because of their life and their service. What a reflection for the church. What an honor and glory to God. What if every deacon could realize they were on display to win this sinful, ungodly world for the Lord…to help men see what Christianity does when it lays hold on the hearts of people…how it changes and molds and motivates? That’s what being a deacon is all about. It’s the best advertisement money could buy. Better even than a million dollar ad placed in the newspaper. In their own place and in their own work, their work is as great as elders. Think about what an influence and power in a community it would be to have God’s people being led by qualified elders and deacons. The church is loosing its influence, not because there is not still power in the gospel, but because we have not allowed the gospel to influence our lives and make us the kind of people we need to be. In verse 15 and 16 you have THE MOTIVATION FOR BECOMING A DEACON. It ought to thrill the heart to think about that “mystery of godliness”. Think about the very holiness and deity of God being clothed upon with sinful flesh to struggle against the wiles of the devil in order that victory might be won, Satan conquered and fellowship with God might be restored. After his death and resurrection, see Jesus with his disciples as they watch him, the sinless son of God, having finished his work, being received back up into glory. Now He’s waiting and looking for sinful men who will be moved and motivated by his love and his life to give up sin and look for him to return. If that does not motivate a man to measure up to being a deacon nothing will.
THE WORK OF DEACONS
We have failed to understand and give proper emphasis to benevolence. The Old Testament emphasized the Jews were to care for “the stranger, the widow and the orphans”. Exodus 22:22-23 and other passages. We can afflict them not only by mistreating them, but also by neglecting them and failing to see the problems and needs they have. Deacons must become the eyes and the heart of the church in seeing doors where there are needs the church needs to give attention to. Then either take care of the matter or bring the matter before the elders. But remind them you are helping them (1)because Christ that died for you, and He also died for them. (2)because Christ cared and was concerned for you, you care and are concerned about their needs. And if they are not Christians tell them you are even more concerned about their spiritual welfare and would like to study the Bible with them.
If anyone in this world that ought to have a heart of compassion, it should be God’s people, and DEACONS should lead them in showing that concern. Why don’t we see opportunities to show concern? We are not merciful, and the reason we are not merciful is that we have never realized how much we needed God’s mercy. (Matt. 5:7)
Luke 10:25-37 Three men saw the same thing. Two did not see an opportunity but one did. What made the difference? The Samaritan knew what it felt like to be despised, neglected and forgotten and out of that kind of background, his eyes were opened to a man lying in a ditch. We can’t see because we are blind. DEACONS are to help us see the needs of others.
Mat. 20:28 Jesus is the supreme example of God’s deacon. He came to “minister”(to “serve”), and it cost Him his life. The reason we don’t see opportunities is because it will cost us money, time and even our very lives.
A DEACON IS TO BE THE EYES AND THE HANDS OF THE CHURCH. THEY ARE TO WATCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPRESS THE LOVE, MERCY AND KINDNESS OF GOD AND TO BE WILLING TO SERVE IN ANY CAPACITY TO BUILD UP THE BODY OF CHIST.
TWO EXAMPLES OF DEACONS
The men did not just “serve tables” (Acts 6:2), but exhibited ACTION THAT EXPRESSED CARE AND CONCERN ABOUT PEOPLE THAT WERE IN NEED. The deacons waiting on tables tells us the Jerusalem church cared deeply and the deacons reflect the very heart of the church. We can build all the buildings we want and preach all we want, but until people know we care and are concerned for them, they will not hear what we have to say. Benevolence become a door or an avenue for teaching people. The result of the deacons doing this work was (1) IT PRODUCED UNITY (2) THE CHURCH GREW (3) DIVISION WAS AVERTED. Let’s look at two of those chosen in Acts 6 to do the work of deacons:
STEPHEN
The deacons had miraculous powers given them by the apostles (Acts 6:6-8). The miracles were (a) to attract attention (b) to confirm their word. The result? (Acts 6:7) “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly….” The Jewish leaders could not “resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” (Acts 6:10) So the leading men of the synagogue bring a charge against Stephen. (Acts 6:11-14) Now, how will Stephen act to avoid his influence being weakened when these false charges are made? Will he do as James and John threatened to “…command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?” (Luke 9:54) No, but there is reflected in his face a heart that is pure as gold, clean and purified by the blood of the Son of God. Then listen to his answer to their charge:
Chapter 7: He had an unusual knowledge of the Old Testament and understood more than even the apostle Peter on Pentecost. The Jews had developed the attitude that the land of Canaan had a special significance, but Stephen knew better. He knew that it was the presence of God in Canaan that made the land important. It was the fellowship of God and not merely a physical, temporal promise God had made about the land of Canaan. He denied every principle of Pre-millenialism. He understood what religion was all about. Stephen is saying if you think the land is holy just because its land and you’re holy because you’re Abraham’s descendants, how do you account for the fact it was outside that land that God appeared to our father? (verse 2) Abraham did not inherit even one foot of the land. (verse 5) If it was so special how do you account for that? And where was Joseph? (verse 9-10) Egypt! Where was God? He was with him. God was not limited to land, but it is God’s fellowship that counts. Who realized this first? A DEACON! (verse 11-12) Famine in the land of Canaan, but corn in Egypt. How do you account for that? Why? Because God through Joseph was bringing the light of God down to a pagan nation, Egypt. (verse 15) Jacob died outside the land of Canaan. (verse 20-22) Where was Moses? In Canaan? No Egypt! The very one to whom the law was given never set one foot in the land of Canaan! Where is the “holy land” (verse 29-33) Acts 7:33 “Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.” Where is Moses? Midian! What made it holy? GOD’S PRESENCE! Who understood this? A DEACON! Not Peter and the other apostles. (verse 47-49) Where is God’s throne? Canaan? NO, HEAVEN! And the earth, not Palestine, is his footstool. (verse50) It was a deacon that first grasp the wide outlook of God’s love, care, and concern. He didn’t see it limited to Palestine. His speech really riled the Jews. They would not have that kind of preaching. They are going to have this land as holy in spite of all he said. NOW HOW IS HE GOING TO REACT? (verse 54-55) (verse 59-60) He is being stoned, but look at his attitude. No doubt one of the things that made an impression upon Saul of Tarsus, that he could not get out of his mind, came from this Godly deacon. Was the Lord referring to Stephen when He told Saul on the road to Damascus, “It’s hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” In John 11 Lazarus died. Mary and Martha said: “If thou had been here our brother would not have died.” Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” They said they knew that and that in the last day he would be raised. Jesus said, “He that believeth on me shall never die.” Pentecost comes, the gospel that came out of his conquering death has been proclaimed. But will it really work? Does it change a Christians outlook on death? Who was the first one following Christ death burial and resurrection to throw light upon death and to help rob it of its fear? A DEACON! Who taught the lesson that Christ is standing at the right hand of God waiting for his own to come home? A DEACON!
What would that do for a congregation? When there are lives of men in the church that have matured and have allowed the gospel of Christ to mold and influence them until the glory of God shines through their lives and in the face of death be able to say, “Lord Jesus receive my spirit.” What we need is more deacons, like Stephen, that could influence a world lost without God and without hope and could inspire us as Christians to give our all to the Lord and even be willing to die for Him.
PHILIP
Chapter 8: The Jews don’t have dealings with Samaritans, but DEACONS do! Had not Peter said, Acts 2:39 “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”? Who were the first ones to grasp the universal nature of the gospel and apply it? A DEACON! Only the wisdom of God would have ever dreamed of allowing the apostles to be the background and a simple Godly man like Stephen and Philip become leaders in the kingdom of God. Who was the first man to pass up prejudices? A DEACON. (John 4:9) “…the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” But God’s DEACONS do!
Luke 9 Jesus would go through Samaria, but they would not receive Him. John said, “We’ll take care of that. We’ll call down fire from heaven.” Jesus said “You don’t understand I didn’t come to destroy lives but to save them.” Who was the first man to catch the outlook of Christ, that He came to save all even the despised Samaritans? A DEACON! Who was the first “personal worker” on record? Peter? James? John? NO PHILIP! A DEACON! WHO TAUGHT THE SAMARITANS AND THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH.
Both Stephen and Philip understood the universal nature of God’s love, concern and mercy. They first experienced it themselves and it changed their lives. Others could see that change and it would influence them also. As deacons their lives were one of service as they watched for opportunities to express that love, concern and mercy.
By Danny Stanford
