DEACONS

IN
THE BODY
OF CHRIST

NOTE:
The English word, DEACON
indicates a SPECIFIC ministry,
but is translated from the
GENERAL WORD for:
SERVANT (diakonos)

The word, APOSTLE is also used

in BOTH a GENERAL and a
SPECIFIC SENSE
As for Titus, he is my partner and
fellow worker for your benefit. And
as for our brothers, they are
messengers (apostoloi)
of the churches, the glory of
Christ.
(II Corinthians 8:23)

SPECIFIC USAGE OF DEACON

Paul and Timothy, servants of
Christ Jesus, To all the saints in
Christ Jesus who are at Philippi,
with the overseers and
deacons:
(Philippians 1:1)

AFTER DISCUSSING THE

QUALITIES AND WORK OF
ELDERS, PAUL MENTIONS A
SPECIFIC MINISTRY OF DEACONS

Deacons likewise must be

dignified, not double-tongued, not
addicted to much wine, not greedy
for dishonest gain.
(I Timothy 3:8)

The Greek word, diakoneitosan

Is translated, Let them serve as
deacons
And let them also be tested first;
then let them serve as
deacons if they prove
themselves blameless.
(I Timothy 3:10)

NOTE:
A SPECIFIC ministry is indicated
by this verse
And let them also be tested first;

then let them serve as deacons

if they prove themselves
blameless.
(I Timothy 3:10)

The word, diakonos is translated

in a GENERAL SENSE as
SERVANT or MINISTER
Christ was made a diakonos
For I tell you that Christ became a
servant (diakonon) to the
circumcised to show God's
truthfulness., (Romans 15:8)

The APOSTLES were to be BOTH

servants (diakonoi) and
slaves (douloi)
It shall not be so among you. But
whoever would be great among
you must be your servant,
and whoever would be first among
you must be your slave,
(Matthew 20:26, 27)

Timothy, as a gospel preacher,

when he did his job, would be a
good diakonos of Christ
If you put these things before the
brothers, you will be a good
servant (diakonos) of Christ
Jesus, being trained in the words
of the faith and of the good
doctrine that you have followed.
(I Timothy 4:6)

If anyone serves me, he must

follow me; and where I am, there will
my servant be also. If anyone
serves me, the Father will honor
him.
(John 12:26)
Both words, serves and servant
are forms of the word diakonos

THE SPECIAL USAGE, DEACONS

1. There were deacons at
Philippi (Philippians 1:1)
2. There were to be deacons at
Ephesus (I Timothy 3:8-13)
3. Question: Were the seven at
Jerusalem doing a specific
ministry such as a deacon
would do? (Acts 6:1-7)

Serving tables and the word,

ministration are forms of the
same word
Serve (diakonein)
Ministration (diakonia)
NOTE:
The word, deacons is NOT used
in Acts 6.

.a complaint by the Hellenists

arose against the Hebrews
because their widows were being
neglected in the daily distribution.
And the twelve summoned the full
number of the disciples and said,
"It is not right that we should give
up preaching the word of God to
serve tables.
(Acts 6:1, 2)

NOTE:
There are TWO MINISTRIES
mentioned in Acts 6:1-7.
1. The ministry of the Word
(Acts 6:4)
2. The ministry of SERVING
TABLES (Acts 6:2)
BOTH ARE SPIRITUAL
MINISTRIES

But we will devote

ourselves to prayer and
to the ministry of the
word."
(Acts 6:4)

DIFFERENT MINISTRIES ARE

ALSO MENTIONED BY PETER

whoever speaks, as one who

speaks oracles of God; whoever
serves, as one who serves by
the strength that God supplies -- in
order that in everything God may
be glorified through Jesus
Christ..
(I Peter 4:11)

IT HAS BEEN THOUGHT THAT:

The HELPS that Paul mentions
may refer to men such as deacons
And God has appointed in the
church first apostles, second
prophets, third teachers, then
miracles, then gifts of healing,
helping, administrating, and
various kinds of tongues.
(I Corinthians 12:28)

NOTICE ALSO:
the one who exhorts, in his
exhortation; the one who
contributes, in generosity; the one
who leads, with zeal; the one
who does acts of mercy, with
cheerfulness.
(Romans 12:8)

CHARACTERISTICS OF DEACONS
(I Timothy 3:8-10, 12, 13)
Deacons likewise must be
dignified, not double-tongued, not
addicted to much wine, not greedy
for dishonest gain.
They must hold the mystery of
the faith with a clear conscience.
(I Timothy 3:8, 9)

And let them also be tested

first; then let them serve as
deacons if they prove
themselves blameless.
(I Timothy 3:10)

Let deacons each be the husband

of one wife, managing their
children and their own households
well.
For those who serve well as
deacons gain a good standing for
themselves and also great
confidence in the faith that is in
Christ Jesus.
(I Timothy 3:12, 13)

1. Grave --- Dignified, Serious.

Note older men in Titus 2:2
2. Not double tongued --- Not
insincere or hypocritical
3. Not given to much wine --Here, we must note the meaning
of wine in the Bible
See I Timothy 5:23

4. Not greedy for dishonest

gain --- Does not earn money
in a dishonest way
5. Holding the mystery with a
clear conscience --- Loyalty
to the gospel
6. Proved --- Approved,
Tested before appointment. Note
II Corinthians 13:5

7. Blameless --- An absence of

any accusation
(See Titus 1:6, 7)
8. Husband of one wife --There is NO stain on his character
9. Ruling children and family
well. His children are
submissive

OBSERVATIONS
1. Deacons are NOT ELDERS,
and are NOT the overseers of
the church
NOTE: I Timothy 5:17
2. Deacons are servants who
serve under the leadership of
elders

OBSERVATIONS CONTINUED
3. Nothing is said about deacons
having Christian children
4. Deacons can be younger,
married men with children
5. This can be a great training
period leading to other ministries
such as:
PREACHERS AND ELDERS

GOD
BLESS
YOU!