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.

A Gift To the Church and the World

629 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 3:8 Likewise deacons, Some of the qualifications for deacons will be the same as those for bishops or pastors, but before we look at these qualifications, just a little bit more about deacons. First of all, one of the qualifications that is missing for the deacon is the ability to teach. It is not necessary to be able to pontificate on the treasures of the Word of God, rather, the deacon must be willing to roll up their shirtsleeves and help wherever that help is needed. 1Co 12:28 mentions this gift of “helps” along with others as gifts given to the church by our Lord Himself! “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Deacons are given to the church to free up the pastor for his duties of praying and ministering the Word to the flock. They also minister to the sick, take care of the physical plant, and in general serve by watching over the day to day operations of the church. This office is given special mention by Paul in his letter to the Phillipians: Php 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” This tells us that the appointment of deacons was a regular procedure in the planting of churches. And in Ro 16:1, we read of a woman named Phoebe who served in this capacity. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, Healthy congregations need deacons, (servants) of this sort, or their pastors will either burn out or pay too much attention to things other than the Word of God! No wonder the early church in Acts 6, set the tone for the church forevermore in the appointing of deacons. This office has not only been invaluable to the church through the years, but to the world as well. Just think about it. How many hospitals carry the name of “deaconess.” and how many orphanages have been established through the church and people who serve in this capacity! Thank You Jesus for the gift of deacons and deaconesses to Your church!

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.