Another High Calling

# 98 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 1Ti 3:8 “Likewise deacons...” Paul now moves on to another calling in the church, those who are called to be deacons. “Deacon” like “bishop” is a word that conjures up many differing ideas, but I think it's safe to say that their major role in the church is to free up the bishop (pastor) in order for him to engage in prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4) I love the fact that the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul sees the need to mention this office as an integral part of spreading the gospel as if to anticipate the same kind of numerical growth that the early church in Jerusalem experienced! This office underlines for all time the necessity of the bishop (pastor) to spend the majority of his time in prayer and ministry of the Word! And this is made possible by having qualified deacons serving in the congregation! The word “likewise” is instructive here because it ties this office in to the office of bishop. So just as the one who desires the office of bishop “desires a good work,” so it is also with those who desire to do the work of a deacon! “Likewise” also affirms the fact that this indeed is an office to which one is called within the local congregation, and since it is a calling there are certain requirements and criteria that need to be met, just as “likewise” there are certain qualifications that need to be met for the one who serves as pastor! The original deacons of the church were appointed soon after the numerical explosion of the church in Jerusalem. If you recall there was a need to justly distribute necessities to the widows. This daily distribution was commanding so much of the Apostles time, that they were not able to spend proper time in praying and ministering of the Word! So the 12 charged the congregation to select seven men “of good repute full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” These were the original qualifications for deacons and still apply today. This portion of Timothy further refines and explains what is meant by “good repute” and “wisdom, “ and we will look at them in the days ahead.