The Servants of the Church - deacons

Acts 6:1-7 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Deacons and elders are the only two permanent offices in the church. The names signify what their office. Elders guide the Church and exercise oversight. Elders delegate to deacons the office of serving the people. They both develop the character of the Church.
THE NATURE OF THE DEACON’S OFFICE
The term diakonos signifies in general ‘one who serves.’ The work of a deacon is serving. Deacons can be seen as like waiters. Acts 6:1-7. They served food to poor people. They visited them. They were appointed to assist the elders in serving the church. In the early church many new converts were very poor. The apostles were overwhelmed by their needs. Moses likewise felt overwhelmed by the needs of the people, elders were appointed to assist. Today we may not have such social needs but we do have many single parents who need care, Practically, food needed buying and carrying to people. They administered money and prepared the communion feast as well as the ‘love feasts’ in 1 Corinthians. The people were asked to look out suitable men in Acts 6. They were chosen by the people under the auspices of the elders. It is not clear how long they were chosen for. Voting for 1-3 years allows for a rotation of officers, it allows for the effects of sickness and for electing younger men, as people can be reluctant to stand down. We can get proud about our officers. Both officers overlap – deacons and elders, there is a cross over., some deacons preach the word of God.
THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE DEACON 1 Timothy 3:8-13
a) The deacons spiritual qualifications. Acts 6:3.
(i) ‘Full of the Holy Spirit’. Every Christian has the Spirit. The first deacons were radiant as the result of being full of the Spirit. They think spiritually. Seen in prayer meetings and in holiness. They take meetings and give book reviews.
(ii) ‘Full of wisdom’. Seen in meetings and balanced attitudes.
(iii) ‘Full of faith’. Seen in undying hope and loyalty. They shared the Gospel in the early church – see Phillip and Stephen.
b) The deacon’s moral qualifications - 1 Timothy 3:8.
(i) The deacon is to have a seriousness of mind. They should be joyful but not shallow
(ii) The deacon is to be transparently open and honest. He must not say things just to suit the occasion. He must not resort to smooth talking.
(iii) The deacon must not have an addiction to wine. In the early church water was often polluted. He must avoid dependency on wine.
(iv) The deacon must not be covetous. He must resist the temptation to embezzle money.
c) The deacon’s doctrinal qualifications 3:9
(i) The deacons must also possess a sound spiritual understanding. Romans16:25-26. He need not be apt to teach, he does need to understand and grasp the fundamentals of the revealed Gospel. The mystery of the Gospel has been revealed to us. These are at the heart of our faith. At the centre is that the Bible is infallible and inerrant. If there is the slightest suspicion that he is not clear in his grasp of the fundamentals, such a person has no place in office. He must wait if he does show lack of clarity. Deacons must have this because they are so influential.
(ii) Deacons are to believe with utter sincerity without reservation.
(iii) Deacons are to be tested or proved. They should be seen to be suitable – verse 10. He should be seen to live a gracious life. The Bible does not set a test but we must use discernment in our choice. Men should not be unduly disappointed if they are not proposed or elected.
d) The deacon’s personal qualifications. 3:12
(i) He is to be a man of one woman and manage his family well. He had to be a faithful husband and this ruled out polygamy. He is to be a good husband to his wife. If he is single he should demonstrate a faithful attitude to other men’s wives and single women
(ii) He is to manage his household in an excellent manner. He should be a good family man.
THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A DEACON’S WIFE 1 Timothy
Wives of deacons are a big factor in their husband’s usefulness. She will share in his sharing and caring work. She should not have a loose tongue and be temperate and trustworthy. They are a real asset to the deacon and the church.
THE INCENTIVES FOR A DEACON’S WORK 1 Timothy 3:13
It is often demanding and time consuming. Much is done after a long day’s work. Much is done in private but seen by God.
a) He obtains a good standing. He wins respect and gratitude from the entire congregation. He is loved and appreciated by all as well as the elders. Deacons can be the rock and foundation of the stability of the Church.
b) He obtains confidence in the faith and boldness in prayer. When you serve the Lord Jesus you gain deeper and fuller assurance in your faith. There is boldness in prayer. People who are not deacons or are women are still serving the church as indicated here by visiting and serving people. Finally we can see it is a guide for churches when seeking nominations for deacons. In this church we have many men qualified to serve. It also shows candidates what is expected of them. Not perfection but willingness.
Finally, these qualifications show us that the diaconate is the office which most closely resembles the servant-hood of Jesus Christ. Matthew 20: 26. Happy the church that has godly deacons for that church will be filled with the servant-spirit of Jesus. Let us pray that God will continue to raise up a succession of such men.