Deacons

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Deacons

• Qualifications

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Review

• Deacon
• a servant, a helper
• Meets physical needs of the church
• Under direction of elders
• Relieves some burden from elders
• Has no authority except as assigned
• Cannot be a substitute for elders

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Why are there qualifications?

• Deacons will be acting on behalf of the church
• Unbelievers may form opinions of the church based
  on behavior of workers
• The work will require a certain character
• The qualifications will reflect all of these needs

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Qualifications 1 Tim. 3

• Deacons likewise (v. 8)
• There will be similarities in qualifications of
  deacons to those of elders.
• Both are public figures with responsibilities to
  the church

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Qualifications 1 Tim. 3

• Men of dignity (v. 8)
• Worthy of respect
• Serious -- Not clowns, jokers
• The nature of the work will require maturity

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Qualifications 1 Tim. 3

• Not double-tongued (v.8)
• Sincere, honest
• Not hypocritical
• Not loose-lipped
• The work will bring them information about the
  lives of church members, and they need to know
  how to respect privacy

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Qualifications 1 Tim. 3

• Not addicted (given) to much wine (v.8)
• Is NOT saying okay to be addicted to a little
  wine
• Wine was drunk 2/3 water to 1/3 wine at most
• Elders were not to be given to wine, pure water
• Deacons are not to be given to MUCH wine
• So less than the 1/3 wine mixed with water
• Duties will require self control and not to have
  senses dulled

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Qualifications 1 Tim. 3

• Not fond of sordid gain (v. 8)
• Doesnt make living from
• Illegal means
• Immoral means
• Unchristian means
• Most people are known by their occupation
• Deacons job must be something by which neither
  he nor the church would be embarrassed

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Qualifications 1 Tim. 3

• Holding to the mystery of faith (v.9)
• Have a good knowledge of the truth
• Have moved into the meat of the word
• Already know good from evil (Heb 512-14)
• Dont need men serving who are not sure of what
  is the righteous way to behave

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Qualifications 1 Tim. 3

• with a clear conscience (v.9)
• Your conscience is your own (1 Cor 211)
• Men need to look into yourself
• Have you truly lived according to your faith?
• Do you say one thing, but live differently?
• Is your conscience clear in regard to your faith?

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Summary

• So far, we see that deacons
• Must have a godly character
• Must have a good knowledge of the truth
• Must live every day in accordance to the truth
• Our lives are all seen by unbelievers
• Those who perform special works for the church
  must be extra cautious about the impression they
  make

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