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Deacons: Their Qualifications

In the previous lesson on the office of “Deacon” , we looked at the meaning and duties of the office, as well as some misconceptions regarding it. Deacons: Their Qualifications.

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Deacons: Their Qualifications

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  1. In the previous lesson on the office of “Deacon”, we looked at the meaning and dutiesof the office, as well as some misconceptions regarding it. Deacons: Their Qualifications When we studied the qualifications of Elders, we looked at three different passages- 1Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; and 1Peter 5:1-5. In regard to the qualifications of Deacons, there is primarily one passage- 1Timothy 3:8-13.

  2. The Purpose of the Qualifications is to select the best men for the job- but not “best” in a relative sense of just better than others. • If we had no qualified men, we wouldn’t just pick the “best” and appoint them. • Instead, we want those best prepared to serve. Remember they’re serving the Lord and His people!

  3. The Purpose of the Qualifications • For example: “How well-qualified did one have to be to adequately serve food?” cf. Acts 6:3a >With no disrespect to the food service industry, one did not, and does not, have to be“full of the Spirit and of wisdom”to wait on tables. >So why the qualifications? -These men were “put in charge”of the task- including all related aspects of preparation and distribution in a racially-charged situation, cf. Acts 6:1,3b. -The implementation of the specified duties of a Deacon often call for wisdom and discretion- such men were/are representatives andservants of the congregation and as such should be well-qualified according to the scriptures.

  4. The Qualifications: 1Timothy3:8-13 • Deacons, then must: be Men of Dignity,v.8 -This means serious, grave; one that commands or inspires respect from others. -The dignified man is one who is serious with regard to purpose and self-respect in his conduct. (Vine’s) not be Double-tongued,v.8 -This does not refer to a physical abnormality, but the character flaw of inconsistency of speech. -Literally, it is double-talk. It means to say one thing to one person, and to say something different to someone else. -Deacons, especially because of the responsibilities of their office, must be men of honesty and consistency in all aspects of their character- including their speech.

  5. The Qualifications: 1Timothy3:8-13 • Deacons, then must: not Addicted/Given to Much Wine,v.8 -This phrase includes 3 important words: ma- “not, by no means” oino-“wine” pollo-“abundant, plenteous much” (H.E. Phillips) -Simply put, a Deacon cannot be a drunkard! His work demands clarity of mind and strength of body. Alcohol produces neither. notFond of Sordid Gain,v.8 -It means to be greedy of undue gain. -“When lucre is the price of wrong, it is filthy. When lucre is sought on occasions where none is due, it is filthy; and when the desire of even just gain is excessive, it ceases to be clean.” (Pulpit Commentaries)

  6. The Qualifications: 1Timothy3:8-13 • Deacons, then must: Hold to the Mystery of the Faith with a Clear Conscience,v.9 -The “mystery of the faith”is the revealed gospel, Eph.3:3-6. -The “with a clear conscience”part is the satisfaction and confidence gained by living a life consistent with the revelation of the gospel which he believes, 1John 3:18-24; Eph.4:1; Col.1:10. First also Be Tested, v.10 -The word “also” refers back to v.6 and means the same thing here- that the deacon should not be a novice, or beginner in the faith. He is provedby qualifications. -It does not mean he is appointed on a trial or apprenticeship basis first. How can he be appointed to an office for which one of the qualifications is his having performed the duties inherent to the office? He cannot.

  7. The Qualifications: 1Timothy3:8-13 • Deacons, then must: be Beyond Reproach,v.9 -This qualification means the same thing here as it did for Elders. It does not mean sinless perfection, otherwise it would be impossible to appoint anyone to either office. -It instead signifies that nothing can be “called into account”- that nothing can be laid to one’s account as outstanding, cf.1Tim.5:7. The Deacon, like the Elder, is to have no continuing sin in his life. be the Husband of One Wife, v.12 -It means not abigamistor a polygamist. -Does not prevent widowers, remarried or not. It is not about the ability to marry again after the death of one’s spouse. -Does not prevent scripturally divorced and remarried men- they have “one wife”.

  8. The Qualifications: 1Timothy3:8-13 • Deacons, then must: be Good Managers of their Children & Houses,v.12 -The word manager (rule, in some versions) means “to stand before” or “to lead” or “to attend to”, cf. v.4. -The Deacon is one who is able to attend to his own business well, thereby proving himself capable. -Since nothing is said of the Deacon having “believing children” as was the case for Elders, he can then be of a younger age than the Elder and still be qualified to serve. • Deacons thus qualified and who serve well “obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”v.13

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