Deacons

The New Testament says that churches are to have specially appointed men known as deacons. The word deacon comes from the Koiné Greek word "deakonos," which means "servant." (This is not the same as the word I use "doulos" to describe myself. Doulos has the connotation of a bondslave; deakonos just means someone serving or helping someone else.)

The first deacons were appointed in the first church by the apostles themselves. Acts 6:1-7

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. 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. But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reptation, 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. And 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. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

Note that the deacons were appointed, not as leaders, but as servants: they were to serve and assist in a specific task, in this case, making sure that widows in the church had enough to eat. Deacons, of course, can serve in many other ways. In general, deacons take care of secular church business, so that church leaders can take care of spiritual matters. This is not a hard and fast rule, and deacons are to be spiritual themselves.

The apostle Paul gives qualifications for deacons in I Timothy 3:8--13.

Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine, or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. [Their wives] must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 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.

One more note of interest: in recent times, some have tried to appoint women as deacons. This is without any authority from the Bible. Those who would do this often claim that the Bible mentions "deaconesses." This comes from an incomplete understanding of the word "deacon." Remember that the Greek word "deakonos" means one who serves, assists, or helps. This word does not necessarly apply to those who use the official office of a deacon. It can also mean anyone who helps in any way. Unlike the English language, the Greek language has a gender for many words. The gender can be indicated by a word ending. When the New Testament mentions a woman who serves in some way, it uses the word "deakones," the female form of the word "deakonos." These women are not necessarily deacons in the official sense. In fact, they cannot be, for deacons are to be "the husbands of one wife." (I Timothy 3:12)

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