Biblically speaking we get our word “deacon” from the Greek word, “diakonos” that means, “servant.” The word diakonos was used in a variety of ways to identify a variety of occupations. According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words:
“Deacon primarily denotes a "servant," whether as doing servile work, or as an attendant rendering free service, without particular reference to its character. The word is probably connected with the verb dioko, "to hasten after, pursue" (perhaps originally said of a runner).
"It occurs in the NT of domestic servants, John 2:5,9; the civil ruler, Rom. 13:4; Christ, Rom. 15:8; Gal. 2:17; the followers of Christ in relation to their Lord, John 12:26; Eph. 6:21; Col. 1:7; 4:7; the followers of Christ in relation to one another, Matt. 20:26; 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:43; the servants of Christ in the work of preaching and teaching, 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 3:6; 6:4; 11:23; Eph. 3:7; Col. 1:23,25; 1 Thess. 3:2; 1 Tim. 4:6; those who serve in the churches, Rom. 16:1 (used of a woman TTT here only in NT); Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8,12; false apostles, servants of Satan, 2 Cor. 11:15.
Diakonos is, generally speaking, to be distinguished from doulos, "a bondservant, slave;" diakonos views a servant in relationship to his work; doulos views him in relationship to his master. See, e.g., Matt. 22:2-14; those who bring in the guests (vv. 3,4,6,8,10) are douloi; those who carry out the king’s sentence (v. 13) are diakonoi.”
In modern times we would have used the word diakonos to speak of public servants like Congressmen and Senators. We would also use the term to speak of our waiter or waitress at the restaurant. It would also be used for the office of the deacon in church. It was a very flexible term that had a variety of applications.
What is a diakonos or a deacon in a Southern Baptist Church? Are they more similar to a waiter in a restaurant or to a public servant in the Senate? Diakonos is translated in the New Testament only 4 times as “deacon,” 8 times as “servant,” and 20 times as “minister.”
Romans 16:1-2 records that Phoebe was a diakonos in the church, “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.” Be careful, just because the Bible records that there was a woman deacon does not sanction her position.
Paul points out the requirements of the position of “diakonos” in the church in 1 Timothy 3:
“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 tested; 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.”
Notice the deacon must be the husband of one wife ruling their children and their own houses well. This can mean the deacon is to have one and only one wife in his lifetime. Usually exceptions are made in the case of a widower but a strict interpretation of the verse could rule out a widower because they do not currently have a wife. Some churches have used this verse to rule out the unmarried because they cannot be husbands of one wife. Others said this could include single men as long as they will, when married, be faithful. Some churches have also said this means if a man is married and does not have children, he is disqualified because it says he must rule his children well. There are many different interpretations for this passage but all of them require a heart of faithfulness and integrity. Leadership requires a higher lifestyle.
In a Southern Baptist Church there are only two ordained positions: the pastor and the deacon. The deacons and the pastors are given a higher responsibility in leadership. They have dedicated themselves to the service of God through the local assembly of believers. They are given authority to stand as agents of God in the ministry.
Paul says, “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Notice in the above statement these servants labor among the people and yet they are over the people. This phrasing points to there being some in the church that have additional tasks and responsibilities. The church staff and the deacons fit this description. Not Sunday School teachers, not trustees, not the finance committee, not the choir or any one else. No one else is ordained to the task of serving in the church as are the staff and the deacons. This position of leadership biblically demands a certain level of esteem. Not for the person themselves but for the office they hold in the Kingdom of God. They deserve very high esteem for the sake of their work. And what is their work? Admonition, pointing out things that are wrong and correcting them.
Look at Acts 6:1-7 records the first deacons. Here they took the administration of the church. This included the general administration, finances, order, property, and benevolence of the church. Everything was placed under the authority of the deacons except for the spiritual guidance and leadership. Deacons biblically are given the authority to have oversight and input on every decision that would take the Pastor away from his pastoral responsibilities (i.e. prayer, Bible Study, Teaching, ministering, setting a vision, etc.)
Deacons are given significant responsibility and authority in the church today. That is one reason they are the ordained as are the pastors. They are ministers of the Gospel and have the authority to do so. Since their authority and duty flow from God we should give them the tools to do their job well and then let them do it. If they can not be trusted to do their job with integrity and honesty, they should not be in the position. We should thank God for our Deacons.
For more information see my post on "The Husband of One Wife." Click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment