Do you know what the work of a Deacon is? If not, have you asked one of the elders? I have been spending a good deal of time combing through Acts and studying what it says in relation to the church in the Bible and its salvation message. Interestingly, if interpreted correctly, we learn about deacons before we learn anything about elders (also known as bishops).
In Acts 6, we learn from the Holy Spirit what the apostles set forth in the church at Jerusalem. There was a problem brewing, and the apostles did not want to be relieved of their primary mission of preaching, teaching, and evangelizing; so, they called upon the brethren to identify 7 righteous and holy men for a work they could not do. We learn of a criterion, from the apostle’s direction, about those chosen. First, there were men, not boys, women, or girls. Second, they had a good reputation. Third, they were full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (was there a miraculous component with this language?). Fourth, they were to serve others.
“Hold on there a minute, Ron! The word “deacon” is not used in Acts 6.”
That is true. Neither do we notice the word “servant” or “servants”, but we do notice the term, “serve tables”, so to that degree, these 7 men were servants, but just not to tables.
“If the word ‘deacon’ is not used, how can we call them deacons?”
A good question. At the very least, the Holy Spirit identified their work as serving others. If one serves, then he is a servant (to whatever degree of application utilized in a specific work). The 7 men are, therefore, servants. The English word “deacon” comes from a Greek word that means “servant” (Vine’s p. 272). If this is so, these servant men were deacons.
There is no time duration as to how long they serve.
Maybe you’re not persuaded. Very well, notice Paul’s letter to the Philippians, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (1:1, ASV, bold added, RT). Who are these deacons? By name we don’t know, but by work we have a good illustration in Acts 6, and the criterion of 1 Timothy 3 fits that which we read in Acts 6.
With that before us, what do deacons do? They serve the Lord and His cause, which is the congregation. If they fail to do that which they were tasked to do, then they are deacons in name only; they fail the Lord, and His people being a deacon in name only. Imagine a man identified as a preacher who does not preach; he would be a preacher in name only, and of no benefit (blessing) to the congregation.
If the Lord’s church is going to function as it should, everyone needs to carry their own weight. If certain ones have been asked, and that which they have been asked is received and accepted, then they must carry some additional weight. If the weight is too much, then they must make adjustments before they move forward.
The role and function of deacons in the congregation is God-designed, it is part of His God-ordained structure of the New Testament church. If the men who serve in that capacity fail to do as they were called on to do, they will answer the Lord, just as the elders and preachers will be in their own roles. RT
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