God's Blueprint For His Church - The Caregivers

The Caregivers

Introduction

One of the women’s bible studies in our church has engaged in a study sponsored by Focus on the Family, entitled The Truth Project. The lecturer is Dr. Del Tackett. In this presentation he develops a thesis that charges all his lectures. His thesis is based on what he calls The Divine Imprint. The Divine Imprint, he shows, is the unity and harmony within the Triune Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) that is stamped on every social sphere in the world. For instance we see how that divine imprint is pressed on the family; and on the governance of the family! This impression is also stamped upon the Church.

Where do we see that? Turn with me to the letter of Philippians, chapter 1 (page 154 in the N.T. of the pew bible)

" Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:"

Last week we taught that the overseers (literally episkopos) were the spiritual leaders – the guardians of the flock. That title is synonymous with elder (presbyter) and pastor (shepherd). And now we see added this second office of the church, the deacons. How do we understand that word “deacon”? Well A.T. Robertson in his Word Studies of the New Testament suggests that the “etymology (Gr: dia, konis) suggests raising a dust by hastening.” In English the word has been simply translated “servant”. The idea here is that they are “quick to serve”!

Again, like the work of elders, everyone is, in a sense, to watch over one another, to teach one another. The elders were to be examples of that. Likewise every Christian is to serve one another … but there are also some called lead and exemplify this --the office of deacon. We see that proven for us as we look at 1 Timothy 3 (page 163). Let’s read that together:

⁸ Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, ⁹ but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. ¹¹ Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The word “likewise” causes us to see a close connection with Paul’s previous list of qualification for the office of elder. A close examination of the two offices reveals very little difference except primarily that elders are called to “able to teach”.

Here is my first important point: The office of deacon is a high and holy calling. What the Holy Spirit is to the Father; what the wife is to the husband; so the deacon is to the oversight of the church. THE DEACONS ARE HELPERS! Deacons are ‘parakletos’ …. “one who comes along side”!

Who are the deacons to help? Well, as I noted previously, there is no job description for a deacon. But we can see an illustration of this if we look at Acts 6:1-8 (page 96):

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 So 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 “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. ⁴ “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. ⁶ And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. ⁷ 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. ⁸ And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

Please be careful to note that this is not taught as a prescription for the church. It is a description. I rest my position on the two offices from Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:8ff. But this is a great illustration of how the elder-deacon relationship works. So back to the question, “Who do the deacons help?” Answer?

1. They help the elders by freeing them to focus on their priorities; and
2. They help the needy in the congregation.

The office of deacon is first and foremost a ministry of helps! “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third  teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” ^[1] )

Who are the needy? Well the Scripture does not leave us without a witness. They are the:

• Aliens & strangers (i.e. visitors & newcomers)
• widows & fatherless
• elderly
• sick & shutins.
• poor
• imprisoned
• and so on.

Listen carefully to the heart of God:

Exodus 22:21
²¹ “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:34
³⁴ ‘The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 25:35
³⁵ ‘Now in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you.

Deuteronomy 27:19
¹⁹ ‘Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

That is just a sampling. What was one of the primary sins of Sodom and Gomorrah? "“Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy" (Ezekiel 16:49). What was James’ summation of true religion? (“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress”^[2].)

In one church[3] when deacons are called into office they are asked called to the following:

I charge you, deacons, to inspire faithful stewardship in this congregation. Remind us that “from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded” (Luke 12:48). Teach us to be merciful. Prompt us to seize new opportunities to worship God with offerings of wealth, time and ability. Realize that benevolence is a quality of our life in Christ and not merely a matter of financial assistance. Therefore, minister to rich and poor alike, both within and outside the church. Weigh the needs of causes and us the church’s resources discerningly. Be compassionate to the needy. Encourage them with words that create hope in their hearts and with deeds that bring joy into their lives. Be prophetic critics of the waste, injustice, and selfishness in our society, and be sensitive counselors to the victims of such evils. Let your lives be above reproach; live as examples of Christ Jesus; look to the interests of others.

I love that ‘charge’ – it is charged with truth and responsibility. When I look at that statement of responsibility I envision tremendous giftedness among the diaconate. Gifts as:

• giving,
• administration,
• teaching,
• helps, and
• mercy.

But let me ask another pertinent question: What of the ‘women’ mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:11?

Before I launch into this debate let me make one disclaimer. I find no grounds to be absolutely dogmatic to the point of indifference to other interpretations. I am convinced of what I will teach you, but I also am very aware that godly people (who may all love Jesus more than I) would disagree. I will simply give you my reasons for why I believe what I believe and permit you to become convinced based on your own study.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary[4] helps me summarize the jist of the argument.

1. In the Greek language the same word, gyne, [goo-nay] is used for "woman" and "wife."

2. Since this single word is found here for "their wives," there are three possible interpretations as to what group Paul is talking about:
1. NIV follows KJV in assuming that these women were the wives of the deacons.
2. Some have suggested that he is speaking of women in general.
3. Some (I used to J ) argue that the reference is to deaconesses.

I believe that Paul is addressing wives of the deacons. For the following reasons:

#1. The Greek word here which literally means “women” or “wives” allows for such.”

#2. The most compelling argument for me is that Paul placed this verse right in the middle of the qualifications for male deacons. We know that by his continuation in verse 12.

#3. The principle given in 1 Tim 2:12 is to be an overarching principle for church life which seems implicitly to limit the role of deacon to men.

#4. My fourth reason is less compelling but seems absolutely rational. If the task of the deacon is to conduct a ministry of helps, both in and out of the church. It seems logical and prudent that his wife assist him often. Therefore, her character ought to be considered also. Dealing with the type of issues a deacon is to be engaged in would require that his wife be godly and speech and conduct. Because of the nature of such ministry they are to be faithful, not malicious talkers, not gossipers, and so on.

Of course there are some arguments against that.

#1. Some would say why then is there no character qualifications for an elder’s wife. My answer is that Scripture demands that elders serve in plurality and are they are to be self-disciplining. It would not be the ‘norm’ that an elder’s wife serve along side of him regularly. (For example when someone comes for prayer for healing – they are to call the elders! James)

#2. Secondly there is evidence (such as Phoebe in Romans 16:1) that seems to give rise to an office of deaconess. The illustration of Phoebe does not demand that view though and is likely not a separate church office but in fact an example of Christian behavior that we all are obliged to consider.

Summary:

So how does the Bible understand the role of the deacon within the governmental sphere of the church? I believe it could be described as this:

A deacon has a ministry of helps, liberating the elders to concentrate on their priorities while ministering, often with their wives, to the needy, within and outside of the church.

Application:

In my instruction on elders I suggested that there ought to be times in the life of the congregation whereby they forget that it is a human ministering to them, but they sense the very Lord of the church, Jesus Christ is serving them. In relation to deacons, let me draw your attention to this passage: (Turn with me to Matthew 25:34-40 (page 22)

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵ ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; ³⁶ naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ³⁸ ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ³⁹ ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

Now this teaching on the office of deacons will be a radical change of thinking to some of you. I am convinced it is biblical. I am also convinced that we (particularly in the Baptist tradition) have erred. The missing ingredient to many of our so-called congregational or baptistic churches has been the biblical view of the diaconate. I am aware of a forward-thinking church that even has a ‘global diaconate’[5] – serving the needs of the world!

May God grant us the courage to envision such a change in this holy calling, that many see Christ through this ministry of helps!

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^[1]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (1 Co 12:28). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

^[2]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Jas 1:27). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[3] Christian Reformed Church of North America – Ordination of Deacons

[4] Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:1 Timothy/Exposition of 1 Timothy/V. Worship and Conduct (2:1-3:16)/E. Deacons (3:8-13), Book Version: 4.0.2

[5]http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/2004/1735_Bethlehem_Baptists_Global_Diaconate/