The Work Of Deacons

The Work of Deacons

Acts 6:1-6

Introduction

1. The Boise Church Needs Strong Leadership to Navigate us Through the Days to Come.
2. The First Quarter of Every Year as a time of (Re)-Confirmation of Elders and Deacons
3. Messages on the Work and Qualifications of Deacons.

I. Contextual Information from Acts 6:1-6

1. Grecian Jews Complained their Widows were Neglected in the Daily Distribution of Food.
2. Apostles Objected to having to Divert their Attention from Word Service to Table Service (Serving Tables).
3. Seven Men were Selected to Distribute Food.

II. Information from the Words Used for the Work & Office

1. Diakoneo (the action) – to serve, prepare a meal, wait on, care for, provide for, to deacon (serve as a deacon)
2. Diakonia (the service) – ministry, service, contribution, help, support, mission, distribution of food, preaching/teaching, or office (of a deacon)
3. Diakonos (the person)
   1. General Word for Waiter, One Who Serves Tables, servant
   2. General Word for any Christian Servant (servant, minister, preacher, helper)
   3. Specific Word for Office (Philippians 1:1, Deacon; Romans 16:1, Deaconess/Servant.

III. Information from the Qualifications

1. Acts 6:1-6: Full of the Holy Spirit/Wisdom
2. 1 Timothy 3:8-13: Respectable, Honest in Speech, Not Heavy Drinkers, Not Greedy, Good Managers

IV. Information from Synagogue Precedents

1. Synagogues had “Keepers.”
2. Synagogues also Selected 7 Men as Alms Collectors.

V. Information from Early Church History

1. Ignatious – “For they are not deacons of meats and drinks [only] but servants of the church of God.”
2. Hermas – “They that have spots are the deacons that exercised their office ill and plundered the livelihood of widows and orphans and made gains for themselves from the ministrations they had received to perform.”
3. Justin, 1st Apology, 65 – “Those who are called by us deacons to give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced,  and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.”

Conclusion: Contemporary Examples of the Work

1. Elders Delegate Tasks to Special Servants, Male and Female. Male Servants are Often Called Deacons and Serve as Church Officers.
2. Deacons are often Selected as Individuals who Oversee Specific Ministries: Benevolence, Worship, Outreach, Building Maintenance, Youth, etc.
3. Often Deacons Administrate Ministry Teams made up of other Men and Women. Ex., B.O.D.Y.
4. Here, Deacons form an Administrative Body of their own to Carry out the Delegated Tasks of the Elders. They also Have Specific Ministries given to them Individually.