A%20Study%20of%20Deacons

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• A Study of Deacons

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What is a Deacon?

• From d??????? (diakonos)
• A servant, attendant, helper or minister
• Used about 30 times in NT
• Distinguished from d????? (doulos) referring to
  ones relationship to his master diakonos is
  relationship to his work

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What is a Deacon?

• A deacon is a qualified and appointed servant
  entrusted with certain works in a congregation so
  that the elders can give their time to
  shepherding the flock.

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What is a Deacon?

• It is an office!
• Servant is a general term, but this is an office
  distinguished from simple service
• Phil. 11
• 1 Tim. 18-13, qualifications imply a
  distinction.

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What is a Deacon?

• Deacons serve under elders
• Acts 61-7, 7 men appointed to help the apostles
  relieve needy widows. While not called deacons,
  they serve as examples entrusted with work under
  spiritual leaders.

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• Reverent fitting behavior, with dignity and
  respect. One who is serious and mature. A
  deacon must be dependable and take his tasks
  seriously

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• Not double-tongued not a hypocrite. Consistent
  in their lives. He keeps his word and is honest.
  A deacon must have the confidence of the elders
  and congregation to do his tasks. He must also
  be able to keep quiet when needed.

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• Not given to much wine a need for sobriety at
  all times. Demonstrates self-control.1 Peter
  113, 58, 1 Thess. 56-8, cf. Isaiah 287A
  deacon must be able to do his tasks well and with
  good judgment.

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• Not greedy for money content, one who is not
  corrupt and cannot be bribed. Not a craver of
  money. Phil. 411, 1 Tim. 68, 10A deacon will
  very likely be dealing with resources of the
  congregation. Must be trustworthy in this. He
  must be unselfish

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• Holding the mystery of the faith with a good
  conscience he needs firm convictions. Genuine
  faith that is demonstrated in his lifeA deacon
  must genuinely believe in what he is doing and
  love the Lords church he is serving.NOTE This
  does NOT say he has to be a skilled teacher!

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• First tested, then serve while not a novice
  is not listed, he must have a degree of
  understanding and development. He has proven
  himself to be godly. A deacon will be handling
  resources and might be dealing with delicate
  matters. He should have some experience.

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• Blameless like elders (Titus 16-7), his
  character is such that accusations cannot be
  verifiably made.A deacon lives a godly life and
  that is what the congregation sees.

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• Husband of one wife must be a scripturally
  married man. This helps to prove his character
  in dealing with others

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• Ruling his children and house well children
  that are under control. Again, this helps to
  prove his character as he demonstrates the
  ability to manage his family. He fulfills his
  role as God determines.NOTE Unlike elders,
  their being faithful is not required, simply
  respectful and under control.

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• Wives must be reverent the word in the Greek
  can mean a woman or a wife. This has caused
  some to say that the office of deaconess is
  scriptural. Such cannot be proved by scripture
  and goes against other passages dealing with the
  role of women and wives.

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Qualifications for Deacons

• 1 Timothy 38-13
• Wives must be reverent the point is that their
  wives demonstrate a godly character as well
  reverent, not slanderers (gossips), faithful in
  all things and temperate

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The Work of Deacons

• 1 Timothy 313
• They obtain for themselves a good report
• As the word implies, they serve! Matt. 2025-28
  The congregation, at the bidding of the elders
• 1 Thess. 512-13, they are to be recognized and
  highly esteemed.

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• As with the work of elders, the work of deacons
  is important.
• May we never take this (or any) work lightly!