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Duites Of Deacons

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by John R, May 22, 2007.

  1. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    I found something else interesting... why do we call them deacons? When most of the time when the word
    diakoneō is used it is translated as minister, ministered, or ministering? Why not call them ministers?
     
  2. Jonathan

    Jonathan Member
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    Check the Greek. "Office" is not there. A more direct translation would be along the lines of "those who have served well" or "those who have ministered well".
     
  3. JDale

    JDale Member
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    I certainly don't disagree that Baptists can be (as are all other denoms I might add) people of the book + tradition. I think you unnecessarily read into my words that I am affirming an extra-Biblical "tradition."

    As was pointed out in an earlier post, many of the early Church Fathers affirmed that the office in Acts 6 was actually the Diaconate. And one CERTAINLY cannot conclude that the office mentioned in I Timothy 3 was merely referring to "a laity freed up to serve." If that is the case, neither is there an office of the Pastor. THAT would be an inconsistent hermeneutic.

    JDale
     
  4. DQuixote

    DQuixote New Member

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    This has been a superior thread. I see posters I have not seen before. I'm really impressed by the content. Thanks, Jonathan, for some excellent insights. Visit with us more!

    :thumbs:
     
  5. Jonathan

    Jonathan Member
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    I didn't mean to imply that you, specifically, are affirming an extra-Biblical "tradition". What I'm after here is a consistent viewpoint and a lack of dogma where we find a mix where there is more tradition than Scripture guiding our practice.

    Even reading the early Church Fathers on this doesn't elevate the current practice to meet with our current rhetoric. The OP question concerned the Biblical duties of the office of deacon. That there is such variation in response shows the lack of Biblical direction. That there are some very heated opinions on this duty or that duty shows, IMO, an unhealthy reliance on tradition. What Scripture shows is how non pastoral servants can be selected. It does not elevate the position of service to an "office". That folks began doing so after the Scriptures were completed doesn't close this gap for us. What it does is give us a particular non-Biblical set of experts to appeal to.

    As stated before, there is not an office being referred to in 1 Timothy 3 (the term "office" was added by translators" in certain translations). Read plainly 1 Timothy 3 describes the seriousness by which we much consider all who would serve in any place of service in our churches.

    There is a clear differerence in these descriptions and that of bishop and elder. The "he who oversees" describes a person with a single task...the Bishop (ton episkopon). One can argue for a church with multiple elders or for a church with a single bishop with multiple elders or even for a church with a single person who is both the church's only bishop and elder.

    My concern is that when we argue over what are the correct duties for those in the office of deacon we are supremely missing the point and placing our focus other than on Scripture (and, therefore, other than on God) for direction.

    I am arguing for a seriousness of service to the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. History (both in our own experience and in our reading) has made it clear that ordaining a single set of folks with an unclear Scripturally defined set of duties/responsibilities/authorities have failed us.

    If, instead, we took every position of service within the church a with the seriousness that Acts 6 describes and 1 Timothy 3 prescribes, imagine how the gospel would advance.
     
  6. IFB Mole

    IFB Mole New Member

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    By-Laws?? Is that in the Bible or is that for a non-profit corporation (business)? I'm all for church covenants, but "by-laws" and "constitutions"? naw.
     
  7. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    By-laws and constitutions are the formal, concise expression of how a congregatino will practice the biblical commands. There are, therefore, biblical.
     
  8. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    The idea that deacons are not an office is hard to reconcile with their parallel description with overseers in 1 tim 3. It clearly does not refer to everyone in the church, and it is parallel to what everyone agrees is an office.

    It is said that Jesus was described as a deacon in Isa 53. He wasn't. That is Hebrew, not Greek. Furthermore, the fact that the word diakonos and its cognates can be used of more than the office is not in dispute. Like elder, it can be used for more than the office. But scripturally, it seems to clearly include a recognized group of men in the church.

    The connection with Acts 6 seems clear. The men there were set apart by the congregation, having met qualifications, to do the service work of the church so that the apostles could dedicate themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer. If that doesn't describe the work of the deacon, then what does? And what do we call those people today?

    It is clearly not a job given to every member since they were to select from among them men who met the qualifications. It clearly had to do with service to people in the church, particularly in the area of finances (serving the widows to meet their needs).
     
  9. John R

    John R New Member

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    Duties of Deacons

    I would like to thank all that have replied to my post. I would like to give you a small back ground on our church so you can see why we are at the point we are. This church was founded by a group that were from a UB church that after UB became UMC. left and started this Church. We are an Independent Bible church (IFCA) The Offices we have in place now are a carry over from the UB. The names are Stewards, trustees, etc. These are all elected positions. Our Pastor is a Babtist. As we now operate the Stewards (to now be named Deacons) are the Overseers of the Flock. They however do not direct the Pastor but are involved in all other areas of church business. The final say so is left to the vote of the members. The problem we have now is that the Pastor and the stewards (deacons) do not agree on the duties the Deacons will have.

    From what I have gathered from the replies is that the Deacons should do what ever the Pastor and The Church needs them to do. And maybe the Stewards are wrong to meet in privite to say what they want to do? (I'm not a Steward, I'm a Trustee. But have been invited to set in on these meetings) My concern is that we can do what God wants and that he is Glorified by what we do. Pray for us.
     
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