What is a deacon?

Tom answered the question pretty good.

 

If the chosen seven were to "deacon" tables while the apostles "deaconed" the word of God, neither group has more claim to the title than the other.

So why do we suppose that the deacons mentioned in 1 Ti 3 are related in any way to the seven who are mentioned in Ac 6? Some Christians have considered deacons to be pastors-in-training; the deacons who do well receive a degree (1 Ti 3:13), that is, a promotion.

 

Very interesting comment, I've never thought on it that way before. I need to ponder this for a while.

 

The problem with one claiming the title is that other passages show there is a difference between the 2. There are requirements for being a deacon and for being an elder. The Apostle themselves made it a difference when he said the ones chosen were to concentrate on the food ministry for the elders while they kept praying and preaching. It's not a matter of "claiming" the title. The noun deacon doesn't apppear.

I do agree that we are assuming that the passage in 2 Timothy and Acts 6 are the same people. I now some good people who don't agree. It's not a big deal for me. It's just what I believe makes sense.

I can't speak to why some Christians believe they are pastors in training. That's their idea. At least one of the original 7 - Stephen - went on to give an amazing testimony of Christ and was martyred. But Paul put a difference between deacons and overseers in Philippians.

This is just the way I see the Scriptures about it and like I said earlier how each church chooses that servanthood to play out is up to how the Holy Spirit leads them.

 

I have often thought that Philip (also one of the original with Stephen) went on to become the Evangelist. Although they could be been different men, I believe Luke would have made a distinction if that were the case.

 

You're right. I had forgotten about Philip.

 

What later became a special church function of deacons is built on the Acts 6 model, but Paul gives a simple definition of the role of deacons when he said:

"They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons" [Gk. διακονειτωσαν] (1 Tim. 3:10, TNIV, emphasis added)

Paul says that deacons are to serve.

 

Well, since "deacon" means "one who serves," we sorta kinda knew that already. The apostles also deacked. The question under investigation regards how the deacons served. Did they wait tables or did they minister the word?

I've suggested that a case could be made that NT deacons were pastors-in-training, rather than workers like the seven in Ac 6 were.

 

Deacons are not required to teach. In some ecclesiastical structures deacons are pastors in training but I do not believe that is what scripture teaches.

The second century church had deaconesses and they never pastored.

All Christians are to serve one another as Jesus did but that does not mean all have all of the gifts.

 

A leader always has to serve, but a servant is not necessarily a leader.

 

I see you've suggested it, but haven't really seen the case for it. It doesn't say anything about a deacon being able to teach but it does for overseer/pastor/elder. The overseer has to be able to take responsibility and care for his family because he has to take care and be responsible for the church. Deacons are told that they ought to manage their own family. So just don't see it.

 

They are not pastors-in-training on the basis of 1 Tim. 3:13, as you argued above.

Rather, they are simply recognized:

"Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 3:13, TNIV, emphasis added)

Their "excellent standing and great assurance" are "in their faith in Christ Jesus."

Nothing is said of a promotiong to the pastorate.

 

The Roman Catholic Church denomination.

 

Do you ever write a post that makes any sense?

 

The TNIV is hardly the final authority on how to translate that word. And my claim was, in essence, that the word may be translated "degree," as in "bachelor's degree." Others in history have concurred.

If a deacon were some kind of lower-level minister who needed to make certain attainments before he was promoted, it would be understandable if his required qualifications were not yet what a pastor's had to be.

But it is not my objective to make a case for this interpretation, and that is why I haven't tried. I only toss this possibility out to see what I or others can learn by examining it.

 

Did Jesus die for you?

 

That is about the 8th or 9th time you have asked that question. The answer is, as the other times, of course He did. If you have any doubts about yourself, you should take care of that situation. If we have the mind of Christ, then what we post should make sense, and not endless babble.

 

There is a reason why I asked that question numerous times and you have still not gotten the point. Think about that matter some more in light of what the Bible teaches. If He died for you then what?

 

Then my sins are forgiven
Then the Holy Spirit lives in me and guides me in all things here on earth
Then I have eternal life
I am a new creature in Christ
etc
etc

No, I suppose I do not get your point, but then again, I do not understand your crusade against the local church or the SBC.

 

It has absolutely nothing with the local church I attend. The local church I attend is great and does its best to honor and serve God. I have been most impressed by the people and its leaders. When they were looking for a new pastor they did not want a man who was just a good preacher and draw in all kind of people but rather one who could lead and one who understands discipleship. The fact is that I had no input at all on the matter.

My point has everything to do with the ungodliness so prevalent in the SBC while many in the convention watch and do nothing. People ought to be screaming about the ungodly nonsense. For example the SBC folks in MO are suing each other. How in the world does that honor God and promote the gospel and convention? I cannot even have imagined men like George Truett ever supporting such a thing. Anyone can read and hear about it in the national news. How can anyone be happy to be a part of a convention that is so complacent to let that kind of ungodliness continue? I thank God that where I live I do not have to contend with that kind of cloud of ungodliness in the news going before me in sharing my faith with those I meet.