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What is a deacon?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Gina B, Aug 28, 2009.

  1. DrRandyGrace

    DrRandyGrace New Member

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    I thought the deacons' job was to make the pastor miserable.
     
  2. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    We need to read the text with 1st century eyes.

    At any rate, his recognition is in the Lord, not a church "office".
     
  3. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    Do you mean they are the antagonists rather than dealing with antagonists?
     
  4. rdwhite

    rdwhite New Member

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    Originally no, but that is what they have become in many situations. I have no way of knowing if the "good" deacons out number the "bad", but I do know that the "bad", many times, so taint the reputation of the office that more attention is given to them, than to those who are truly serve the church in a right manner.
     
  5. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    A few years ago I served under a godly deacon and he made the church run smoothly. He was not noticed unless something was wrong. He had a great attitude and was an tremendous example to so many in the church. He was a great example to me by the way he served in humility and diligence. His attitude and work made several other things possible that enhanced the ministry of the church.
     
  6. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    Thank you John, for answering the question and backing it up with scripture. That's the type of answer I was looking for!

    Unless I missed it, that was the only answer that did that. Anyone else want to jump in with a scripture-backed definition?
     
  7. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    I'm sure in some cases it has been.
     
  8. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    As I'm still looking into this, I'm repeating the question.

    Deacons are to serve, but in what way?

    Are there good online resources that address this topic? I'd sure appreciate being pointed in their direction!
     
  9. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    Biblically, the role of the deacon is to do the "grunt work" of the church in order to free up the pastor and elders for prayer and the study of the scriptures.

    But for some reason that I've never understood, many Baptist churches have men who are called deacons, but who actually assume a role closer to what the Bible describes as an elder. And deacons and elders are two very, very different things.

    My son is a deacon in our church and acts as our church's sexton (or sextant, depending on where you're from).
     
    #49 JohnDeereFan, May 30, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: May 30, 2010
  10. Berean

    Berean Member
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    In all Baptist Churches that I have known the Deacons functioned as Elders.
     
  11. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    Same here. I've never understood why that is.

    In our church, deacons and elders are two clearly different things.
     
  12. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

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    Sister Gina,

    In our churches(ORBs), deacons are the ones who set the communion table-along with their wives- they go visit the sick, help the church talk to members who are having "trouble", etc. Whenever the ordained members come to break the bread in the communion service, the deacons do, too. The night I was ordained an Elder, a dear Brother was ordained as a deacon, too. They also help getting the water right before we partake in feet washing. They are also to be very knowledgeable in scriptures, too(not just someone who has been saved for a few days,weeks, either). They have a lot of the same requirements the Elders have, per 1Timothy ch. 3 and Titus ch. 1. I do think they have the right to preach(if God has called them). Also, if a deacon has been called to preach, and is ordained an Elder in the ORBs, they can still do the duties of the deacon, as well. I hope this helps.

    i am I ams!!

    Willis
     
  13. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Historically, nearly all Baptists have rejected as unbiblical the Presbyterian scheme with a third office of elders.


    Early English Baptists:

    William Rider, Laying on of Hands Asserted [1656]:
    Benjamin Keach, Gospel Mysteries Unveil'd [1701]:
    Likewise, Baptists in the USA:

    From the Shaftsbury Baptist Association [New England] 1804 circular letter:
    And straight from the Founders website:thumbs::
    American Baptist Magazine [1829]:
     
  14. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Gina, deacons are to minister to the church in such a way that the pastor can be dedicated to the ministry of the word.

    In Acts 6, so that the apostles could devote themselves "to prayer, and to the ministry of the word", the church appointed other faithful men to oversee the ministry to widows.

    In I Tim. 3, the bishop and deacons are to be chosen from those who have proven themselves to be good rulers. (vv. 4,12)

    I Tim. 5:17
    Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

    This echoes Acts 6, where the church freed up the apostles to minister the word by appointing other "men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom" to oversee another time-consuming ministry.

    The pastor needs to be dedicated to the ministry of the word. To facilitate this, other saints are called upon by the church for particular administrative duties.

    As others have said, these duties may vary with the particular needs of the church. In any case, the congregation should carefully delineate these duties to prevent power grabbing by its officers [see Diotrephes in III John, the Nicolaitans in Revelation 2].
     
    #54 Jerome, May 30, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: May 30, 2010
  15. Bro K

    Bro K New Member

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    Off Subject but important: Have you notice that this is the way most of our elected officials view OUR US Constitution.
     
  16. John Toppass

    John Toppass Active Member
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    Gina,

    I read in the scripture that Deacons are servants in the church as all Christians should be. All Deacons should be servants but not all servants are Deacons. One of the duties that the original 7 had was to wait the tables for the widows and see that each is treated equitably. So that the Apostles could spend more time in word and teaching. By this, Deacons should be responsible for duties and needs of the church that would take away from the time needed by the Pastor/Elders to prepare and teach. Many people may do and serve in many areas but the Deacon will see to it that it is done even when no one else will do it. (many Deacons teach but it is not a requirement for the office of Deacon) Nowhere in the scripture do I find that the Deacon or a Deacon group is to be over a Pastor.

    The qualifications for the office of Deacon is found in 1 Tim 3:8-13

    Deacons must not be liars or gossipers not addicted to much wine and be honest in their dealings. They must also with clear conscience accept the mystery of the faith.
    They should have a good report with the community.
    A man should not gain the office of Deacon until he has proven that he can uphold the qualifications and will continue to do so.
    Even their wives should not participate in gossip and be sober and also faithful in all things.
    A Deacon (if married) should be the husband of one wife (not one at a time) they should be (not ought to be) in control of their children and household as well

    God set up the qualifications for the offices of Pastor, Elder, and Deacon because He knew what He wanted. No matter, how unfair or archaic some feel these qualification are, they are still the ones God wants. (Last time I looked God was still in control)
     
  17. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    Everyone's input is appreciated. Thanks!

    What is the "table" these widows are at? What does it mean to serve? Does that change according to what culture the deacon is living in?
     
  18. The Archangel

    The Archangel Well-Known Member

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  19. Berean

    Berean Member
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    The scripture is very plain on this but how do you interpret husband of one wife? Can a single man be a deacon?
     
  20. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    The word in the original Koine is diakonos, and is not always apparent in the various English translations.

    Generally it means “one who serves”.

    When the word is being used in the NT, it most often does not imply the office of deacon. However here is Strong’s definition and a few passages where it is used to give you an idea of its underlying meaning:

    1249 dia,konoj diakonos {dee-ak'-on-os}
    Meaning: 1) one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister 1a) the servant of a king 1b) a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use 1c) a waiter, one who serves food and drink
    Origin: probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands, cf 1377); TDNT - 2:88,152; n m/f
    Usage: AV - minister 20, servant 8, deacon 3; 31
    Misc: For Synonyms see entry 5834


    Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

    Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

    Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

    Mark 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

    John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

    John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

    John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
    Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

    Obviously the following passage is debatable as to whether a woman can hold the office of deaconess, I believe she can function as a “deaconess” as long as she does not act as an authoritative figure over men. A helper with communion table setup, Awana worker, Church Clerk, etc…

    Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant (deaconess) of the church which is at Cenchrea:

    1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

    2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

    2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

    Office of “deacon”, perhaps, most likely, etc…

    Ephesians 6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

    Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

    Colossians 1:7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

    Colossians 4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

    1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

    1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

    1 Timothy 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

    1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.


    As s verbal form, the first “deacons-table servers” were “ordained” in Acts 6.

    Acts 6
    1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration (diakonia).
    2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve (diakoneo) tables.
    3 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.
    4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
    5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
    6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.


    HankD
     
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