Deacons The Office of a Deacon The Work of a Deacon The Qualifications of a Deacon Acts 6:1-6

Plan & Process for Deacon Appointment Lessons: Aug. 14 – Office of a Deacon Aug. 21 – Work of a Deacon Aug. 28 - Qualifications of a Deacon Sept. 4 – Acts 6:1-6 Names to be submitted – Sept. 4 – 18 Looking for 2-3 new deacons Names presented Sept 25 – asking for objections Objections due: Oct. 9 Appoint new deacons – Oct. 16

The Office of a Deacon Term Means: Special Sense Office of Work Lesson 1 The Office of a Deacon Term Means: Servant Minister Special Sense Qualifications More than saints Office of Work Under elders Job = work

The Work of a Deacon Lesson 2 I. Their Work II. Deacons Are Appointed Because There Is Work To Do III. Deacons - Those Who Can Be Trusted With The Work/Task Given IV. Our Responsibility Toward Deacons

Deacons The Qualifications of a Deacon

1 Tim. 3:8-13 8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

1 Tim. 3:8-13 8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Nature of Qualifications Same attitude & strictness as with elders Not as rigid as with elders “Likewise” attaches importance to them Can’t add to or take from

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent

Reverent (1 Tim. 3:8) Translated: “Grave” (KJV; ASV) “Worthy of respect” (NIV) “Men of dignity” (NASV) “Serious” (RSV) “Dignified” (ESV) Serious approach to life - not lighthearted Not irresponsible

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent Not Double Tongued

Not Doubled Tongued (1 Tim. 3:8) Translated: “Sincere” (NIV) “Not false in word” (BBE) Not “devious in speech” (ESV fn) Not two-faced / unstable / unreliable in word All should be that way (Matt. 12:36-37) Not say one thing to one person - opposite to another Not promise one thing - do another In reporting to elders - reliable

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent Not Double Tongued Not Given - Wine

“Much Wine” Mean Can Drink A Little? Not Given To Much Wine (1 Tim. 3:8) Translated: “Not addicted to much wine” (NASV; RSV) “They must not be heavy drinkers” (TLB) Forbids drinking of wine - intoxicated Alert - sober minded “Much Wine” Mean Can Drink A Little? Forbidding extreme - not allow for the less

Drinking Is Condemned 1 Pet. 4:3 1 Pet. 5:8 “Banqueting” – Drinking “The drinking bout, the banquet,… not of necessity excessive.” (Trench, 225) 1 Pet. 5:8 “Sober” “Free from influence of intoxicants” (Vines) Means to abstain (Donnagan’s Lexicon)

“Wine” (Greek: Oinos) Unfermented Fermented Matt. 9:17 Mark 2:22 (Alcohol Content) Eph. 5:18 “drunk with wine” Unfermented (No Alcohol Content) Matt. 9:17 Mark 2:22 “new wine in new bottles”

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent Not Double Tongued Not Given - Wine Not Greedy

Not Greedy For Money (1 Tim. 3:8) Translated: “Not pursuing dishonest gain” (NIV) “Not greedy of filthy lucre” (KJV; ASV) “Not fond of sordid gain” (NASV) “Not seeking gain by base means” (Darby) “Not try to get rich by cheating others” (NCV) Not have a lust or love for money (1 Tim. 6:9-10; Matt. 6:33: Col. 3:2) Reasons: Work may involve money (Acts 6) If money is goal - no time to be a deacon

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent Not Double Tongued Not Given - Wine Not Greedy Hold Mystery

Faith With A Pure Conscience Holding The Mystery Of Faith With A Pure Conscience (1 Tim. 3:9) Translated: “They must be earnest, wholehearted followers of Christ...” (TLB) Mystery of Faith = Word - Source to educate our conscience (John 8:32) Conscience must be pure (Acts 23:1; 26:9) A deacon must hold to the faith not yielding to violate his conscience

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent Not Double Tongued Not Given - Wine Not Greedy Hold Mystery Tested

First Be Tested (1 Tim. 3:10) Translated: “Proved” (KJV; ASV) “Put to the test” (BBE) “Before they are asked to be deacons, they should be given other jobs in the church as a test of their character and ability, and if they do well, then they may be chosen as deacons.” (TLB) Means: “to test as metals (1 Thess. 2:4….” (Rob) Proved: by word / not novice / demonstrated

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent Not Double Tongued Not Given - Wine Not Greedy Hold Mystery Tested Blameless

Blameless (1 Tim. 3:10) Translated: “Nothing against them” (NIV; BBE) “Without charge [against them]” (Darby) “Unblameable” (YLT) “Beyond reproach” (NASU) Result of being tested No evil report can be established

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent Not Double Tongued Not Given - Wine Not Greedy Hold Mystery Tested Blameless Husband

Husband of One Wife (1 Tim. 3:12) Married - “Be” - not have “been” Only have one wife

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent Not Double Tongued Not Given - Wine Not Greedy Hold Mystery Tested Blameless Husband Rule Children & Houses Well

and their Own Houses Well Ruling their Children and their Own Houses Well (1 Tim. 3:12) Translated: “Manage his children and his household well” (NIV) “Conducting their children and their houses well” (Darby) Have Children Not required that they be Christians Allow for younger men to serve as deacons Training or trained his children well

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent Not Double Tongued Not Given - Wine Not Greedy Hold Mystery Tested Blameless Husband Rule Children & Houses Well Wife - Faithful

1. Grave 2. Not Slanderers 3. Sober 4. Faithful in all Things Wife (1 Tim. 3:11) 1. Grave 2. Not Slanderers 3. Sober 4. Faithful in all Things

1. Grave Lexicon: Translation: Means: “gravity, dignity, “Worthy of respect” (NIV) “Dignified” (NASV) “Reverent” (NKJV) Lexicon: “gravity, dignity, serious - what inspires reverence and awe” (Vines) Means: Take’s life serious Not indifferent Sound judgment

1. Grave 2. Not Slanderers Translations: Lexicon: Means: “Not malicious talkers” (NIV) “Not malicious gossips” (NASV) “Not false accusers” (YLT) Lexicon: “False accusers” (Thayer) Means: Control Tongue (Jas. 1:19, 26) Not a Busybody (1 Tim. 5:13) Keep Things Confidential

Temperate - Self Control Control Temper / Tongue 1. Grave 2. Not Slanderers 3. Sober Translations: “Temperate” (NASV, NIV, ASV) “Vigilant” (YLT) Means: Sound in thinking Temperate - Self Control Control Temper / Tongue Level Headed

1. Grave 2. Not Slanderers 3. Sober 4. Faithful in all Things In All Areas - Faithful: In her marriage relationship In rearing her children / Keeper at home Submission to her husband / In her role Personal godliness / Example to others Control her tongue

Qualifications of a Deacon Reverent Not Double Tongued Not Given - Wine Not Greedy Hold Mystery Tested Blameless Husband Rule Children & Houses Well Wife - Faithful