Dynamic Deacons – 1 Timothy 3:8-13 & Acts 6:1-8

Overview of the New Testament Office of Deacon.

There are only two offices in the New Testament church – pastor and deacon. Philippians 1:1 addresses “the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” The importance of having qualified, local church leadership cannot be overstated. Everything rises and falls on leadership – as Hosea 4:9 declares, “like people, like priest.” Strong leadership produces a strong church; weak leadership, a weak church.

There are some similarities between the qualifications of pastor and deacon, though the pastoral office is the highest office with 16 qualifications listed compared with 8 for the deacon. In this message, we consider the office of deacon under three headings.

The Deacon’s Role (Vs. 8A)

The Definition of the Title

1. The title reveals the central purpose and function of the office (as with the titles describing the pastoral office).
2. ‘deacon’ = “Diakonos…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).”
3. The word ‘deacon’ is a compound word made up of ‘through’ and ‘dust’. The picture is of one who moves quickly to perform his duties and makes a trail of dust in his haste.
4. This word is used in both a general and specific sense:
   1. General sense: E.g., Christ (Matthew 20:28); Paul (1:12) & Phebe (Rom 16:1). The root word appears about 100 times in the N.T. so is very broad in its usage.
   2. Official sense: The local church office.
5. Note: Deacons are nowhere referred to as rulers, overseers or leaders in the church in the Bible.
   1. “A church must never set up overseers over the overseer!” (D Cloud) The term ‘board’ is misleading in this respect. The word ‘board’ means, “An official group of persons who direct or supervise some activity: a board of directors.” (Dictionary.com)
   2. C.R. Curtman: “There is not a ‘jot nor a tittle’ in the Bible to support the wicked idea of a bossy, cantankerous, or (as they say in Texas) a “long-horned” deacon, who sees himself as the watchdog over the church and in particular over the pastor. Sadly, there are far too many deacons like this – men around whom others feel they must walk on eggshells; deacons who constantly try to usurp authority over the pastor. Such men are dishonest, disingenuous and a disgrace to the trust that has been placed in them. They are a detriment to the cause of Christ and His church, and should be removed from office.”

The Description of the first Deacons (Acts 6:1-8)

1. Acts 6:1-8 doesn’t call these men deacons specifically but the root word is used twice:
   1. ‘ministration’ Vs. 1
   2. ‘serve’ Vs. 2
2. H.L. Willmington: “The exact nature and duties of this office are nowhere set forth in any systematic way in the New Testament. It seems almost certain that the office was created to solve the organisational problem of the early church, due in part to its rapid growth.” (Acts 6:1-8)
3. Gromacki: “The ‘deacons’ are those officers selected by the church to assist the bishop-pastor-elder. They should relieve the pastors of lesser responsibilities so that the pastors are able to devote more time and energy to prayer and to preaching (Acts 6:4).” Pg. 88
4. Observations from Acts 6:1-8
   1. Occasion: Vs. 1 – Contention between Hellenistic Jews and their more traditional counterparts. Deacons are appointed in proportion to the domestic needs of each local church and a church can function Scripturally without them. The church at Jerusalem grew to thousands before deacons were appointed.
   2. Appointment: Instigated and overseen by those in pastoral leadership. Selected by the congregation.
   3. Duties: NBC’s New Members Notes: If the seven men of Acts 6 were in fact deacons, then it would appear that the nature of the office was to assist the pastors by unburdening them of much of the domestic work, and so allow them to continue the ministry of the Word and prayer. Although there is no defined job description for a deacon, Acts 6:1-8 suggests the following duties:
      1. The administration of the common fund.
      2. The care of the widows, the poor and the sick.
      3. To promote the efficiency of the pastoral ministry.
      4. To promote harmony among the members of the church.
5. Summary by C.R. Curtman (4 qualities of deacons from Acts 6)
   1. Good Deacons Help Preserve the Peace of a Church.
      1. The election of these seven good men helped preserve the unity of the Jerusalem church.
      2. It is quite appropriate for deacons to assist the pastor in seeking to resolve division and difficulties in the church.
      3. Deacons who disrupt the unity in the church do a terrible disservice to the work of God and bring reproach upon their office. Curtman writes, “It is nothing less than a travesty, a reproach and an aberration for a deacon to be involved in the perpetration of anything disruptive to the peace and unity of a church. This office came into existence for the sake of preserving peace in the church. Deacons therefore cannot be murmurers or muckrakers. Everywhere, and at all times, deacons are to promote peace within the churches they serve.”
   2. Good Deacons Enhance a Pastor’s Ministry.
      1. The primary objective in the appointment of these seven men was so that the preachers could stay focused on prayer and preaching (Vs. 4). The best way a deacon can help his pastor is not to try and take over the pulpit but to alleviate the pastor of domestic pressures so that he can stay in the pulpit!
      2. After the appointment of these men “the word of God increased” (Vs. 7). The pulpit ministry of a church will be enriched when deacons embrace their role and fulfil it.
      3. Curtman: “The Word of God will always be ‘increased’ wherever deacons are striving to be the very best friends their pastors have, and where they’re doing everything they possibly can to free their pastors up for the ministry of prayer and the Word of God. Aaron and Hur exhibited a wonderful spirit of service as they came to the aid of Moses when Israel fought against Amalek in the wilderness. Deacons should manifest this same spirit in the service they render to their pastor, the leader God has appointed over their church.”
   3. Good Deacons Have a Positive Effect on a Church’s Growth.
      1. Vs. 7 “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
      2. Curtman: “When a church has good, godly deacons, their good service, and no less, their godly spirit, will contribute to the church’s success in reaching souls for Christ, and to the numerical growth that the church will experience. The opposite is also true: Bad deacons quench the Spirit in a church, and they have a negative effect on the church’s numerical growth.”
   4. Good Deacons are Soulwinners.
      1. Both Stephen and Philip, two of the first deacons, were bold in their witness.
      2. Stephen was the church’s first martyr. Philip was the church’s first missionary and was mightily used of God in Samaria. We also see Philip engaged in personal, one- one-one Evangelism in his leading of the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ (Acts. 8:5-40).
      3. Candidates for the Diaconate should, among other considerations, come from those who are faithful to the outreach ministries of the church.

The Deacon’s Requirement (VS. 8B-12; Acts 6:3)

Just as a church should not settle for an unqualified pastor, nor should it settle for unqualified deacons. It is also important that the spiritual qualifications of a man be the foremost in people’s minds when considering a candidate for the office, not his secular qualifications. Acts 6:3 says, “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

Personal Qualifications (Vs. 8)

1. Grave = Same word used in 2:2 (honesty) and 3:4. Means serious, dignified and stately. Someone who is serious in mind and character. “A deacon must not be a silly, flippant person, one who makes light of serious matters.” (Macarthur)
2. Not double-tongued
   1. Literally means “divided words”. His speech should be characterised by consistency, honesty and integrity (Macarthur).
   2. Applications: He should not be a gossip. He should not say one thing to the pastor and another thing to the people. He should never slander the pastor. He should exemplify the spirit of loyalty outlined in our Workers Requirements.
3. Not given to wine
   1. “given to” = has the idea of being attached or addicted to.
   2. Drinking Deacons are a blight on the church!
4. Not covetous
   1. They should be men who are financially content. They should never use their office as a means for personal profit (Hiebert). They should be men who are generous.
   2. Applications: Deacons should need to men who have integrity in the area of handling money. They need to have a right attitude to the pastor’s salary etc…

Spiritual Qualifications (Vs. 9)

1. ‘holding’ = having, possessing
2. ‘mystery’ = not something mysterious but a truth revealed that was previously hidden. Refers to N.T. Revelation such as the incarnation of Christ (3:16), Christ indwelling the believers (Col. 1:26-27, unity of Jews & Gentiles in one body, the rapture etc…
3. “the faith” = the body of revealed truth (e.g., Jude 1:3)
4. “pure conscience” = a man who lives in a way consistent with what he says he believes. Speaks of a man who has some inner assurance that he is living according to Scriptural principles. Refer Rom. 2:14-15 on the function of the conscience.
5. Application: Deacons need to be men who are devoted to the Word of God and willing to take a stand for it. The pastor should be able to count on such men to back him up as he takes a stand for the Word of God.

Maturity Qualifications (Vs. 10)

1. ‘be’ = proved primarily by others (i.e., the local church).
2. ‘proved’ = tested, tried. Word was used to describe the process of testing metals for genuineness and quality.
3. Note: Maturity is a key qualification for both the pastor and deacon (See Vs. 6).

Domestic Qualifications (Vs. 11-12)

1. His Wife (Vs. 11)
   1. Grave = dignified, honourable, stately. Same root word as ‘gravity’ (Vs. 4) and ‘grave’ (Vs. 8).
   2. Not slanderers = ‘slanderer’ is the Greek word ‘diabolos’ which is the exact word translated ‘devil’ 35 times in the N.T. To be a slanderer is to align yourself with the devil’s character.
   3. Sober = serious minded, circumspect, spiritually alert and discerning.
   4. Faithful in all things = dependable and trustworthy.
2. His Marriage (Vs. 12)
   1. He is to be a “one woman man”. No divorce or record of marital unfaithfulness.
   2. Not a reference to polygamy (Refer. 5:9). If this verse is speaking about polygamy, then 5:9 must be a reference to polyandry which is highly unlikely!
3. His Household
   1. Children.
   2. Household = all aspects of the home.

The Deacon’s Reward (Vs. 13)

The Condition of the Reward (Vs. 13a)

1. ‘well’ = excellent, good.
2. Question: How do they use the office well? Answer: By striving to fulfil their role in accordance with their qualifications as outlined in the previous verses.

The Specifics of the Reward (Vs. 13b)

1. A Good Degree
   1. ‘degree’ = a step, rung or threshold.
   2. Refers to a good standing. It is unlikely that this has to do with promotion in respect to position as much as attaining legitimate honour, respect and reputation as a godly individual in the assembly. Some deacons will go on to further ministry callings so this thought could be included.
   3. Note: They do not enter this office with a motive to attain recognition. These rewards follow as a consequence of humble, faithful service. The principle of God’s exalting of those who are humble applies (1 Peter 5:6).
2. Boldness in the faith
   1. ‘boldness’ = confidence and assurance.
   2. “the faith” = refer verse Vs. 9. Deacons grow in this area as they take a stand for the Word of God and support the Pastor as he proclaims the whole counsel of God.

Conclusion

1. Pray for those who serve in this important office. Pray for more qualified men for this important N.T. office.
2. Resolve to be a deacon in practice in the local church, whether you are appointed to the official position or not. Imagine what could be accomplished in a church where all the men function with the mindset of a deacon (servant).

Sermon Audio Id: 417212056316397