Deacons Page - Church Deacons
Deacons
The role of Deacons at Bethel Baptist Church is to assist the Pastor in the ministry operations of the church. There are five deacons currently serving the members of Bethel Baptist Church. From left to right in the picture they are: Rudy Ealy, Robert Colvin, Terry Denton, Danny Hill, and Steve Staton.
In the original language, the word, Deacon, means Servant.
The title itself, is as descriptive as any job description can be. In the Bible, words have meanings and the word “deacon” means servant. Here is how the word has been defined in its various forms:
Diakoneo and its derivatives, as their etymology suggests, are used mainly for personal help to others.”
Diakonia is found 34 times in the New Testament. It means service at the table in Luke 10:40 and Acts 6:1, as well as several other New Testament passages.
Diakanos is found 29 times in the New Testament. Its primary meaning is one who serves at tables.”
At Bethel Baptist Church Deacons Function as Ministers NOT Administrators.
The Office of Deacon Was Created for the Purpose of Handling the Benevolence Ministry
The Biblical account is quite clear on the founding of the deaconship and nowhere does Scripture repeal the original purpose:
1 "Now at this time while the disciples were increasing [in number,] a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic [Jews] against the [native] Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving [of food.] 2 And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, 'It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.'” Acts 6:1-3 (NASB)
The Office of Deacon Was Established to Free the Apostles (who functioned as the first pastors) to Pray and to Prepare to Minister the Word.
The Apostles, in dealing with the benevolence ministry problem at the Jerusalem church, told the congregation that, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:2-4 (NASB)
The Early Deacons Were Selected for Their Spiritual Qualifications.
I Timothy 3 and Acts 6 expound the qualifications for the office of deacons; the later contains what could fairly be called the “core qualifications”:
“Men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” – Acts 6:3
“And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” – Acts 6:5
Deacons Are to Be Capable of Serving the Lord in Spiritual Ways.
The original seven deacons were people who were able to serve the Lord in ways which were more spiritual in nature than merely delivering food. Stephen was a man of spiritual power: “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8 NJKV). Philip was not only a deacon, but also was gifted in evangelism (Acts 8:5-7).
The Office of Deacon Requires a Firm Grasp of Sound Doctrine.
A church should be a doctrinally driven community, built upon truth. Every member should have this approach in this fellowship; leaders such as deacons all the more.
The Presence of Deacons Should Advance the Unity of a Church.
When the Apostles laid out the plan for the creation of this office, “the statement found approval with the whole congregation;” (Acts 6:5 NASB). The complaints about the benevolence ministry stopped. It is still true today. Any time a church has deacons who are properly doing their jobs the church is more likely to be at unity.
The Presence of Deacons Should Advance the Cause of Evangelism.
The immediate impact of the creation of the office of deacon was to eliminate the controversy in the church and to get the church back on course in fulfilling its mission. The Bible says that, “the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7, NASB). Again, it is still true. When a church has deacons who are in God’s will, the cause of world evangelization will be aided.
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