For this article we will finalize our brief study of church organization…or “church order” as some may refer to it. In particular, we want to lay stress on the Office of the Deacon. To do so, we will return our focus to 1Timothy 3, verses 8-10. Obviously, all that could be said regarding deacons cannot make its way in this article, but I hope to offer at least a helpful (albeit broad) treatment this morning.
Now, in the last couple of articles I have sought to demonstrate that the New Testament sets forth a rather clear blueprint for the kind of order that the Lord intends for the local church. Very plainly, the simple New Testament construct of a plurality of elders supported by deacons satisfies God’s design for the church as an instrument of evangelism and of building up the saints. Nonetheless, it seems we are a species possessing a great propensity to complicate simplicity…and then call it “improvement”. I’m convinced that it is one of the fundamental functions of human depravity to lose interest in things that are simple, and then to find ways to complicate them in order to keep ourselves interested. Church order has suffered much “sophistication” in this manner over the centuries, I’m afraid. But church order, when endeavored to harmonize with the New Testament design, can be a critical feature, among others, toward Legacy being a useful conduit and proper witness for the gospel.
Now, as further preface, I think I need to say something briefly in order to clarify the language I use regarding elders and deacons. When you hear me refer to these as “church officers” it is for the purpose of distinguishing the functions that they as officials are entrusted to uphold. The elder is a person who functions as an overseer and shepherd of the flock of God, as we saw last week. The deacon, on the other hand, is a person who functions as one who assists the elders in the care and shepherding of the flock. So the New Testament stresses the function of these offices…and not the position of the office itself. It is very important that we maintain a proper perspective in this regard.
With that said, let’s take look at the 1 Timothy 3 text beginning in verse 8: “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity.” The word “deacon” is an English word derived from the word “diakonos”, and it means simply a “minister”; that is, “a servant”…or, “one who serves”. Now, we don’t want to confuse this with someone who is “servile”; that is, a person whose will is altogether consumed in and subordinate to the will of someone else, perhaps even involuntarily. There is a Greek word for that – it’s the word “doulos”, and it speaks to enslavement. But “diakonos” (deacon) is different from that. The main force of the word is “a voluntary attendant who renders service to the advantage of another.” There are other interesting uses for this word throughout the New Testament, but in particular (and for purposes of this article) the deacon is a voluntary attendant rendering service to the church in assistance to the elders. A deacon does not hold authority over the flock, mind you. He is not given the responsibilities of governing in the church. His responsibility is purely to render service, to the flock’s advantage, under the oversight of the elders. And what a magnificent thing it is to be a servant.
In fact, if one wishes to see a great demonstration of the work of a deacon, one need only to consider the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. To His disciples he said, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant [diakonos]….for even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve [diakoneo], and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45). You see, the Lord Jesus Christ came to be a Deacon, in a sense. That is, He came to render service to the advantage of many by virtue of yielding His on Calvary’s cross as a payment for their sins. I’ll say it again….what a magnificent thing to be a servant.
There is just such a beautiful simplicity in the order that the Lord has established for the care of His sheep. As elders, Rusty and I have, as our function, the work of oversight and shepherding to the benefit of the flock. So too, as deacons, both Matt Cockrell and Robert Nida have as their function the work of assisting the elders by rendering needful care service to the benefit of the flock. It’s as simple as that. And please notice again, whether we’re talking about elders or deacons, the stress is on the function, and the work, and the service of the office to the benefit of God’s people….not upon some “dignity” (if I can use that term) applied to the position itself.
Now, I don’t intend in a brief article like this to address all of the qualifications for the office of deacon, but I do want to address some features of the expected character of deacons, as set forth in the text before us. Firstly, notice in verse 8 again, deacons are to be “…men of dignity” (“semnos” in the Greek). In other words, they should be venerable men. That’s right…..the deacon should be a man who inspires respect among the people of God. That makes sense, doesn’t it? Paul then goes on to define, in part, what sort of man it IS that that commands the respect of his peers in the church, by first describing what the deacon IS NOT. He is not to be “double- tongued” (speaking out of both sides of his mouth; characteristic of a people-pleaser). Secondly, he is not to be “addicted to much wine” (drunkenness). And thirdly, he is not to be “fond of sordid gain” (greediness). So to sum up, a deacon should not be a “double-talking, drunken money-lover”. That’s not the kind of man that will command needful respect among God’s people, nor will he be a valid witness for the gospel.
So what SHOULD characterize the deacon? Well, verse 9 tells us clearly that any deacon commanding the respect of God’s people SHOULD BE a man who “holds to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience”. Now I want you to notice that phrase “the faith”. That term speaks to the content of sound Christian doctrine. Also worth noting, the word “mystery” doesn’t mean something that is spooky or mysterious. Rather, it suggests that divine truth is hidden from the natural man and only revealed by the gracious enlightenment brought about by the Holy Spirit. In other words, the deacon had better be a man who is qualified in sound biblical doctrine as revealed to the apostles by the Holy Spirit.
Now don’t confuse this with suggesting that teaching is a fundamental function of the office of deacon. It’s not. A deacon may or may not be gifted to teach. But a deacon must have a comprehensive grasp of the Christian faith…and furthermore, he must hold to it with…what? “…a clear conscience”, verse 9 concludes. In other words, his life should be expressive of the Christian doctrine he adheres to. His conscience ought not to condemn him for the life he leads when abutted alongside his doctrine. That is why Paul is diligent to bring verse 10 to bear immediately upon the description in verse 9, saying “And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”
Listen, beloved — the local church must be diligent to choose their deacons very carefully. I want to speak to that for a moment, because I think largely many churches endeavor to select deacons based preeminently upon some perceived aptitude for service. But nowhere does Paul indicate that aptitude for service is a prerequisite for the office. Do you know why? Because aptitude for service should be the accepted default characteristic among ALL Christians! Now, that is not to say that some among us do not have an enhanced spiritual propensity for service….Scripture reveals many do (Rom 12:7). What I am suggesting is that a heightened propensity for service is nowhere catalogued as a component of selection for the office of deacon. And in fact, to relegate selection to a preeminent focus upon this characteristic, over and against those issued by Paul in our text this morning, is to tragically misunderstand the gravity of this office to the detriment of the witness of the local church.
Upon what basis or criteria should the local church appoint deacons? Why, they are to be carefully chosen as men who command the respect of God’s people by virtue of their character. They are to be carefully chosen as men who possess a comprehensive grasp of sound Christian doctrine. And they are to be carefully chosen as men whose consciences do not condemn them as they consider their personal lives over and against the doctrine that they profess to adhere to. Lastly, in all of this, they are first to be carefully observed by the church to ensure that they are in possession of the kind of character and doctrinal comprehension that Paul has set forth, before any appointment to the office is made.
Lastly, it is my conviction — and it is the position of LBC — that the term for a deacon as an “official” in the local church is indefinite, so long as he effectively and faithfully serves under the conditions outlined above. As you may or may not know, the Elders at Legacy are responsible to “…review each Deacon’s life in view of their demonstrated qualifications, during the month of March of each year” as outlined in our church constitution — a responsibility that is being faithfully observed.
What a wonderful feature of the Church that Lord has ordained by virtue of the office of deacon. And it is no insignificant ministry, beloved. As Paul states in verse 13: “Those who served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” J. Ligon Duncan said of this verse: “Those who most give themselves away, and most die to their own selves—their own desires, their own agendas—are the ones who live with the most freedom and joy and satisfaction and fulfillment. And so as these deacons give themselves away in washing the feet of the brethren, in serving them in mercy ministry, they attain high standing and great confidence in the Lord.” What an encouragement to our deacons! What a privilege to serve the Lord’s church in this way!
Have you prayed for Matt and Robert as of late? Have you prayed for their families that tirelessly support their tireless endeavor to wash the feet of the saints at Legacy — a ministry of care and mercy to the flock of God? Would you consider praying for them this morning?
Prayer: “Gracious Father, we indeed thank You for the constant provisions made to Your people. We thank You that it is Your intention that deacons be diffused within the body of Christ, so that by virtue of their sacrificial service Your people might be cared for, ministered to, and edified. Bless Matt and Robert as they serve, and present us with a model of service. May they continue to be men of dignity, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And as they serve, would you cause their gaze always to be fixed upon the preeminent sacrifice of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who came not be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Be it as such according to Your will and for Your glory. Amen.”
“Aletheia” will return in January.
Grace to you,
Jeremy
