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University church of Christ

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830
Click Here for Specific Directions

The Material From Which Deacons are Made
 

by Tim Nichols

 

There is often an arbitrary line that is drawn between the "spiritual" and the "secular" among religious people. Making a living, being kind to your neighbor, working with your hands, and hundreds of other subjects are topics about which the Holy Spirit has given us direction, however, and to that degree and in that sense they are "spiritual" matters (1 Corinthians 2:10-14). Some spiritual matters of this sort are very much a part of the work of the church. 

Carrying out the teachings of the Bible involves physical work of various kinds.  A good example of this is found in Luke's inspired history of the early church.  Soon after the church was established, the preaching of the gospel produced a large congregation in the city of Jerusalem. In their attempts to care for the widows of that church there was a need to appoint some men to be appointed to make sure that this work was carried out properly.  It was not desirable that the apostles lay aside their work of preaching and teaching the word of God to see to the details of carrying out what that word taught the church to do. So the church selected some men of good reputation who were full of the Holy Spirit and the apostles appointed  them to this important spiritual task. Under this arrangement the church continued to grow as more and more people heard and obeyed the gospel (Acts 6:1-7).

Timothy was given inspired instructions concerning those who are to be officially appointed to the work of a deacon in the ongoing work of the church of Christ.  We ought to note, here, that in one sense all Christians are servants or "deacons" although not all are formally appointed to the position in the church that goes by the name of "deacon". The word simply means "servant" in its more generic sense and all Christians are to be servants. 

Phoebe, a faithful and active sister in Christ, was a servant or "deaconess" in this more general sense and the Roman church was instructed to help in her work (Romans 16:1, 2). Obviously there is much service that a woman can and ought to render in the work of the church and others, men included, ought to rally around her and encourage her when she does so rather than sit back with folded arms and criticize her efforts when they are honorable and appropriate.  The church needs more Phoebe's and needs to nourish the few that are already active.  All Christian men and women are to be servants.  For those who are to be appointed to the official work, however, there are certain qualities that must be possessed and the inspired pen of the apostle Paul reveals them to us.

A deacon must be "reverent" (NKJV) or “grave"
(KJV) and his wife must possess that same quality.  They must be serious and consecrated to the work of the Lord.  One who takes lightly what God has given him to do is not qualified to do this work.  We have observed over the years that unpaid "volunteers" frequently take their jobs less seriously than they ought.  I recall that my Drill Sergeant once stood before the company and shouted, "I want two volunteers front and center!"  No one moved. He then shouted, "You should all be in the front!  None of you were drafted!  You all enlisted!  You are all volunteers!" 

The work of the church is carried out by volunteers.  No one forced you to enlist in God's army.  Being a volunteer does not give you the right to take your commitment lightly.

A deacon must not be "double-tongued". He must be a man of conviction who does not say one thing to you and another thing about you.  He does not say that he believes some things when with one group of people and then affirm the opposite when in the presence of those who believe otherwise.  His speech must be honest and therefore consistent.

A deacon must not be given to much wine. Just as an elder cannot be one who ignores the divine injunction to "look not upon" intoxicating wine, a deacon cannot be a drinker of wine.  Such inconsistent living and example is not to be placed in the position.

A deacon cannot be made out of a man who is "greedy for money".  Character matters. The danger of placing money and goods in the hands of a greedy individual ought to be obvious.

He  must know the truth and live according to its precepts. Just as Timothy himself was instructed to have both "faith" and a "good conscience" (1 Timothy 2:19) the deacon must know the revealed mystery of the faith and live according to what he knows.  Knowing the right answers in Bible class is only a part of it.  He must also live the right answer on Monday morning.

He must be blameless. He, like the elder, must live above reproach.  He must be able to bear up under close scrutiny. If an advertisement were to be placed in the classified section of the newspaper asking anyone to come forward who knows of  outstanding wrongs that he has done, no one would be found who could produce a valid offense.

One who is a candidate for the position of deacon can be disqualified by a wife who is a slanderer, intemperate, or unfaithful in some way. She is a slanderer if she says things about others that are not true and fair. She is intemperate if she is not contemplative enough to keep her tongue and her other actions under control. Like an elder, he can only have one wife in the eyes of God.

A candidate for the post is ineligible if his children are unruly.  A man who guides his own household well is likely a man of character.  He has demonstrated that he can administer affairs in one of the most important institutions in the world.

A man who has served well as a deacon has obtained for himself a good standing. Those who seek out only those roles in the world that appear glamorous or authoritative often miss their best opportunity to serve God and obtain a good standing among men. We respect men who have "come up through the ranks". I never knew an officer in the army who had previously served as an enlisted man who did not have the respect of his men. On the other hand, lieutenants who swaggered like generals deprived themselves of the thing they longed for the most: the respect of men. Those who are willing to play "second fiddle" and play it well, are admired by all reasonable men.

Doing the work of a deacon properly causes a man to grow more bold in the faith. As he associates with good men and continues to learn the truth he will become more courageous in teaching others himself.  Stephen is a great example (Acts 6-7).

Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.  But let these also first be proved;  then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.  Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.  For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 3:8-13). 

 

 Other Articles by Tim Nichols
Modest Dress With Propriety and Moderation
A People of Principle
The Futility of Communicating With Subjectivists
Count Your Many Blessings and Then Weigh Them
 

Should the Lord's Supper be taken like a meal? May women speak during the Lord's Supper as they would at a common meal at a table?
Click Here to Read and Hear More About this Question

 

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