Looking at the Office of Deacon

629 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 3:8 “Likewise deacons,” We continue today looking at the qualifications for spiritual leaders in the Body of Christ. With the word “likewise” the Holy Spirit reminds us that those who serve in the congregational appointed role of deacon, also must meet a set of minimal standards, and I might add, they also, like the “overseer” seek a good work! But what exactly is a deacon, and what's the difference between a deacon and a bishop or elder? The best we can say based on the Bible, is deacons did not act as pastors and spiritual leaders of the flock. Rather they assisted the bishops, (overseers or pastors) by performing minor services and attending to incidental matters such as collecting and distributing alms, looking after the physical needs of the sick, keeping the place of worship in order, etc. Of course one of their primary functions was to free up the pastor for prayer and the study of God's word for the purpose of ministering it to the flock, as we read in Ac 6:2 “Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. The congregation chose these men to serve as deacons, and their office or work was set apart by Jesus Himself through the laying on of the hands of the Apostles. Churches today have all sorts of different names for these pastoral assistants, (deacons, boards, commissions, etc) but let it be known for all who serve in this capacity of helping the pastor by serving the congregation, you have taken on a good work, but it is also a holy work and because of this, there are some minimal requirements that need to be met before the appointment by the congregation. We will look at these in the days ahead.