4. Certainly, we have a great example of this in Christ. When our Lord returns and evaluates his servants, he will consider their faithfulness with money. This is a characteristic of all faithful servants. 5 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). The qualifications of a deacon are similar to those of a bishop/elder/pastor. ‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything” (NIV 1984). Are you sincere in your communication with others? This means they practice self-control and restraint. Is your family first? Before selecting deacons, they must be observed and found blameless in their previous service. Some people always seek to do great things but are never willing to do little things. (p. 2088). They are not called deacons (diakonoi), and the qualifications required are not the same as those prescribed by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:8-12; furthermore, Stephen appears in Ac preeminently as a preacher, and Philip as an evangelist. How we use our money is really a litmus test for our spirituality—it reveals our heart. First Timothy 3:9 says they must hold “to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” What does Paul mean by the mystery of the faith? 3:8), administration (1 Tim. They shake your hand and ask how you are doing, but you get the sense that they are simply fulfilling their duty on a superficial level before they move on to others. 3. The fact that deacons must hold to the mysteries of the faith implies that they must be students of the Word of God. David was tending his father’s sheep when Samuel anointed him king of Israel. "Not slanderers." “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.”. Paul’s use of “likewise” argues for a third distinct group. Related Topics: Christian Life, Ecclesiology (The Church), Leadership, Greg Brown earned his MA in religion and MA in teaching from Trinity International University, a MRE from Liberty University, and a PhD in theology from Louisiana Baptist University. Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. Such an identified individual should be: 1) Active in a ministry of the church. In the midst of talking about deacons, Paul says, “Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect” (v. 11). God blesses those who do so (2 Cor 9:6-11). They prioritize ministry, work, friendships, entertainment, and many other things before their family, and therefore, they will be found unfaithful before our Lord. Luke teaches that a prospective deacon must be full of wisdom, emphasizing an ability to make skillful, prudent choices. They must do their best to study and correctly handle those mysteries. They do much of the behind the scenes work: they pray, administrate, counsel, and even teach, but not in a manner where others often see or give them praise. a. (p. 2088). The following qualifications are unique to deacons/deaconesses. Servants must be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God. They are sincere in their communication and others sense that. A deaconess ministry in a Christian church is a group of women who serve the congregation and community. But even those of us who are not ordained as deacons must always be looking for ways we can serve the people of God and our neighbors if we are to imitate Jesus. If we primarily invest our money into the kingdom, that is where our heart is. With that said, deacons are called to hold onto the deep truths of the faith (v. 9), which implies that they at times teach as well. The English is taken from the NASB. What are the essential qualities of deacons and deaconesses? How are you with the Lord’s money? Take this quiz to test your knowledge about the roles and responsibilities of a deacon and deaconess in the church. Do you really care about their well-being? In fact, as you compare the qualities required of an elder with those of a deacon, they essentially are the same. 1 Timothy 3:8, 9. He died and rose from the dead (vindicated by the Spirit). One day, Christ will approve the faithful. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. What you share with them, won’t be shared with others, and as you share, you sense that they truly care and are concerned. It can also be translated “sincere” or “not double-tongued.”6 They are people of their word. We must realize that our money is not ours but the Lord’s. “Retired, huh?” the man replied. How is God calling you to live in a more reverent manner? They demonstrate self-mastery which allows them to think clearly and help others more effectively. In versions that translate it as wives, “their” is supplied by the interpreter. We must know what our gifts are and employ them in service to Christ and his church. There are no qualifications for the elders’ wives. The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. “Faithful in every respect” can also be translated “trustworthy in everything.” This refers not only to their Christian faith but also to their word in general. Deacons must faithfully hold the mystery of the gospel. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. There seems to be other evidences for deaconesses in the New Testament. Are you humbling yourself to faithfully serve God and others? 1.) 3:8; see also 1 Tim. Deacons must not be greedy for money but must be financially faithful, and so must all servants of the King. The qualifications for the first seven deacons weren’t based on their skills or work-history, but on their reputations and their faith in God. 3. The “Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Matt. Faithful servants hold fast to the truth and a clear conscience. Deaconess duties vary greatly among denominations, but responsibilities generally include such tasks as assisting with church ordinances, supporting the clergy, ministering to the needy and educating female church members. What did they do with the financial talents given to them (cf. In talking about elders, Paul said if we put someone unprepared in the position he could fall into the judgment and trap of Satan (3:6-7). We must use our money to win souls to Christ and to disciple saints. Unfaithful servants live in discord, waste time and the Master’s resources. 2. Why would there be qualifications for the deacons’ wives and not the elders’? The Ligonier Ministries site requires Javascript, but you’ve got Javascript disabled. What does this mean? Application Question: Why is financial faithfulness so important for ministry? 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13. Some have surmised that the office of deacon, unlike the office of an elder, is not mandatory for the organization of the church. 1 Timothy (pp. The buttons below will guide to services and resources Deaconess offers to employees and their families. He cannot promise things the church has not yet approved lest the person in need be disappointed when he does not receive what has been promised and then distrust the church. “Not greedy for gain” can also be translated “not greedy for money” (v. 8). As with elders, the church is not, in a sense, choosing them, they are simply recognizing who God has chosen, as manifested by their works. What are the qualifications for a deaconess? Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” By keeping a godly life and true doctrine, Timothy would save himself and those who listened to him. He cared for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, and ultimately died for all. Deacons must not just be stewards of doctrine; they must be practitioners of it, as they keep a clear conscience (v. 9b). Biblical qualifications for the appointment of the deacon are specified in Acts 6:3 as \"men of honest report, full of The Holy Ghost and wisdom.\" These qualifications lend their importance to the ministering of the needs of widows and attending to the secular affairs of the church. QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE BIBLICAL QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS In actuality, we can hurt people by doing this. He says, “For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (v. 13). Christ said where our treasure is there our hearts will be also (Matt 6:21). In order to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word, they had the church select seven faithful men who were full of the Spirit to care for the widows (v. 2-3). It has been said that people don’t care how much you know unless they know how much you care. The first qualification is that a deacon must be “reverent,” which means that he must be worthy of respect or honor. Servants put the needs of others before their own. Donate Now. Are there any specific qualities he is calling you to work on? 4 Accessed 4/16/16 from https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-10-servants-official-and-otherwise-1-timothy-38-13. (A. Farstad, Ed.) They are not drawn to any excesses that might dull their spiritual discernment. They should only care about the applause of heaven and not of men. Why is it important to consider our culture or weak Christians when it comes to our practice of alcohol consumption (Rom 14:21)? Where faithful servants are serious about the faith, unfaithful ones are not. Are you being a faithful servant right where you are? Christ humbled himself to serve others and God exalted him (Phil 2:10-11). Not too ready to take up an accusation against the poor, or too ready to use the tongue in the way of false insinuation. T. Croskery. For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Arguing against interpreting "deacon’s wives" as "female deacons" is the fact that it would be unusual for Paul to give qualifications for deacons in verses 8-10 and 12-13, with qualifications for deaconesses in between. Application Question: What faithful women have strongly inspired or challenged your faith and how? Instead, they are to allocate wisely the church’s resources, feeding and sheltering the needy in the congregation, helping them to get back on their feet and making sure the local assembly never neglects the pure and undefiled religion of visiting widows and orphans (James 1:27). They are striving to be holy in the area of purity in order to not stumble or cause others to. Qualifications of a Deacon. Application Question: What are some other characteristics of faithful servants? Deacon is a member of the church who supports by providing material needs to members. When there was no one to wash his disciples’ feet, he got down on his knees and performed the chore of a slave as he washed the feet of his disciples (John 13). What are characteristics of faithful servants? He washed the feet of his disciples—the task of a servant. What does this mean? All of these qualifications (except for the family and being a … 2) Actively involved in the discipleship process (discipling or being discipled) In what ways is God calling you to prioritize family ministry? W ith his description of the elder’s qualifications complete, Paul moves in 1 Timothy 3:8–13 to outline the requirements for the second ministerial office in the church — the deacon. The Search OF the Savior: Why Jesus Came, Part 1 (Luke 19:1-10), Bible Storying Series - Teaching The Story Of God Chronologically, Bible Teaching Ideas: The Ten Commandments And Ten Fingers, The Bible Teacher’s Guide, First Timothy: Becoming a Good Minister of Christ Jesus, https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-10-servants-official-and-otherwise-1-timothy-38-13. Acts 6:1-6, James 1:27). 2. We must seek to excel in our giving to the Lord’s work. Scripture actually says very little about the duties of a deacon, but the office … The word for “women” is gunaikas. No doubt, one of the major areas Christ will look at when judging the faithfulness of his servants is their family life. Sincere people are effective in ministry because people trust them. The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. It has three parts: inductive biblical study, conclusions from the biblical investigation, and practical suggestions for today’s church. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Faithful servants avoid anything that might master them by causing an addiction and anything that might cause others to stumble. There would be two possibilities: 1. Finally, Paul describes the rewards faithful deacons receive. What about them caused this reaction? It refers to all New Testament doctrine but especially to the gospel. It refers to secrets in the Old Testament that were more fully disclosed in the New. Christ also said this to his disciples about serving: “So you too, when you have done everything you were commanded to do, should say, ‘We are slaves undeserving of special praise; we have only done what was our duty’” (Luke 17:10). To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. 2–4). In 1 Timothy 3:12, he says, “Deacons must be husbands of one wife...” As mentioned before with elders, this does not refer to one’s marital status. And because of this, God gave him a name above every name. If I have dual qualifications such as a Medical Imaging Technologist and a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, do I need to pay two registration fees? A deaconess shall be dignified, not a malicious gossip, temperate, and faithful in all things. Dignity speaks of a respectable reputation especially in spiritual matters. 7 MacDonald, W. (1995). The word translated “standing” can be translated “rank, degree, or base.”9 It seems to refer to respect and honor from God and man. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.’” Christ called for his disciples to practice serving in secret. Even our Lord Jesus came as a servant and labored as a carpenter; and the Apostle Paul was a tentmaker. Certainly, at times God will call us to serve outside of our gifts, and when he does, he provides grace. But we must know our specific gifts so that we can faithfully employ them to build up the church (cf. Many times believers only consider their tithe and offering as the Lord’s—meaning they can use the rest as they wish. There are those that say this refers to female deacons. Observation Question: What rewards do faithful deacons receive and what do they represent? There is some controversy over this text. Were they faithful brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husbands or wives? He humbled himself and took the form of a servant (Phil 2:7). Are you walking in holiness with the opposite sex in word, mind, and deed? Application Question: What Christians impacted you in such a way that their lives drew a sense of awe and respect from you? He … Each of us has at least one spiritual gift. However, there is strong evidence that 3:11, in fact, refers to female deacons. that may meet the qualifications for a Deaconess, are doing the work of ministry and desire to do the work of a Deaconess. "Sober." As we close, let’s consider a few more characteristics of faithful servants. Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. However, it must be heard that this is not only true for deacons but for faithful servants in general. Christ, returns, he served and sought the benefit of others before their own households the (., conclusions from the biblical qualifications of a bishop/elder/pastor we can hurt people by doing,. 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