The Deacons Ministry in the church

 

 

Introduction:- Acts.6:1-7.

 

 

In order to really understand the ministry of Deacons, we need to place this passage concerning their appointment into perspective and context. At this time the church could have been anywhere between 2-6 years old and had grown from very small beginnings to possibly 20.000 strong. That kind of growth does not please the devil, this is only one of the occasions when he tried to bring division and stop growth of the church.

 

 

To understand Satan’s attempts to destroy the church we need to look back to Acts.3.The Lord uses Peter to heal the lame beggar, this miracle opens a door for Peter to preach the resurrection of Jesus in the Temple, accompanied by the man who had just been healed. Almost immediately the leading priests, Captain of the Temple guard and Sadducees (who do not believe in any resurrection) arrive on the scene arresting Peter and John putting them in prison until they were able to convene the Sanhedrin Council (Highest ecclesiastical court in the land) Once in session this court warns the disciples against preaching that Jesus has risen. Peter firmly rejects this order and presented the truth to the council, who are unable to punish or hold them further as they are fearful of a riot that might have occurred. They could not deny the miracle because the healed man was there a living witness to the power and authority of the risen Christ. The devil had failed in his first major attempt to stop the good news spreading.

 

Resulting from this opposition the disciples pray and ask the Lord for more courage anointing and power, v23-31, plus in v32-37 we can see how these early Christians cared for one another.

 

 

None of these things pleased the devil so now he introduces a new tactic through Ananias and Sapphira. Acts.5:1-11. This couple are seeking personal recognition and glory for themselves. Their motive is wrong, inspired by the devil they tell lies to the Apostles claiming to have sold property and given the full amount to the church. In fact they had previously agreed on a course of action to secretly keep back a portion for themselves, in doing so they have only deceived themselves and pay the ultimate price of death. This is a great lesson to the church, teaching the believers that although they could lie to man, they could not deceive or lie to the Holy Spirit which results in real godly fear amongst the believers and others. This was the second attempt of the devil to bring deceit and lies into the body of Christ.

 

 

The third occasion the church is threatened is found in the rest of Acts.5, the Apostles continue the healing ministry of Christ, and again the religious authorities try to stop the move of God. The disciples will not compromise witch results in their being flogged and released, the religious authorities being afraid of a possible riot.

 

 

First and third occasion Satan tried to stop the early church through direct opposition which failed. On the second and fourth time the devil used more subtle methods by infiltrating into the church and some of its members.

 

 

It is on the fourth attempt that we see the introduction of the Deacons ministry.Acts.6:1-7.

 

Dissension suddenly appeared through the food distribution to the widows in the church some were Hebrew speaking and others Greek. As the early church was primarily comprised of converted Jews, those distributing food may have been favoring those of their own kind. This was clearly discriminatory and division making, a tool that Satan loves to use.

 

 

It was essential that this situation be dealt with quickly and wisely. I personally think that before the twelve Apostles called a general meeting of believers, they had sought the Lord for direction. It would have been very clear to them that the expanding church needed the Apostles to be concentrating upon the preaching and ministry of the Word, this

 

situation was a very clever tactic of the devil to sow the seeds of discontent which would have led to disunity, stifling any further growth.

 

 

Immediately, v.2, the Apostles state that their ministry requires them to concentrate upon prayer and preaching. To spend time overseeing food distribution would occupy their time and be detrimental to the growing church. The devil is a master at getting people to become distracted in doing things rather than waiting upon the Lord.

 

 

v.3. They give their ruling or answer, select seven men who are:-

 

 

a. Well respected - good reputation, committed believers

 

b. Full of the Holy Spirit - Baptized with the Holy Spirit

 

c. Full of wisdom - Must have wise heads upon their shoulders.

 

d. We will put them in charge of food distribution, they would be answerable to the leadership of the church.

 

 

v.4. Then we can spend our time praying and preaching.

 

 

v.5. This pleased the whole group who then chose seven men to be their Deacons

 

 

v.6. Names are listed - note the two who developed further ministry, Stephen and Philip

 

 

v.7. The ministry continues with further growth in the Church.

 

 

The ministry of Deacon = Servant. Is also applicable to women in the church. Rom.16:1 Phoebe was a Deacon in the church at Cenchrea near Corinth.

 

 

It is obvious that the ministry of both Elder and Deacon continued to develop in the numerous churches that were established. However it is Paul approximately 30 years after the first Deacons were appointed who gives us the clearest directions regarding a Deacons qualifications in order to exercise this very important ministry role in the church.

 

 

1.Timothy.3:8-13. These qualification are as equally demanding as those required for an appointment to eldership.

 

 

Note, the instructions concerning Deaconship is practically a continuation of those given for an elder.

 

 

v.8. “In the same way” refers to that concerning eldership. Deacons must be:-

 

 

A. Well respected.

 

B. Have integrity

 

C. Not drinkers

 

D. Not lovers of money

 

 

v.9. To understand and be committed to the revealed truths of the Christian faith. (to be

 

well grounded in the word of God - a sound knowledge of the scriptures) and to have a clear or undefiled conscience, before the Lord.

 

 

v.10. Prior to appointment their commitment and testimony should be proven, particularly regarding character and ability.

 

 

v.11. This verse can be misunderstood, the word “wives” can also mean “women” depending on which version of the Bible is used. Possibly the clearest way to understand the meaning is to accept that this verse can refer to either male or female deacons.

 

 

v.12. Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and able to control their own children. Clearly no one who is unfaithful in marriage or is unable to control their family can be

 

considered for this ministry.

 

 

v.13. Teaches that anyone chosen by proving themselves in the ministry of a deacon can move on to other ministries within the church.

 

 

The latter is seen in the ministry of both Stephen and Philip, who became very effective ministry, although Stephen’s stance cost him his life. Acts.7.

 

 

In the church today the ministry of Deacon covers a wide range activities, which can be from greeting at the door, showing people to their seat, assisting in keeping the church clean, preparing and assisting in water baptisms. Leading a cell group, ministering the word. etc. Always being alert and ready to assist where and when necessary, and most definitely not waiting to be told something needs to be done as the word of God says:-

 

 

Ecclesiastes.9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” NKJ.

 

 

The Deacon’s ministry in the church is invaluable and a prime training ground for future advancement in the Kingdom of God. It is a highly visible ministry along with that of

 

a Pastor or an Elder, people will watch a to see how you perform the ministry. Therefore every leader in the church must be always aware that it is upon their shoulders the testimony of a church is carried.

 

 

The tactics Satan used against the early church he is still using today, he has hated the church since its conception and will continue to try and stop the church of Jesus Christ unmoving forward. He is subtle and deceptive, always trying to break down the testimony of its leaders, or infiltrating the church through its members to cause divisions. This is a further reason why good Deacons are required for they are effectively the eyes and ears of the church leadership.

 

 

Possibly the best illustration I can give is that of the role of a Sheepdog/s supporting the Shepherd/s. A sheepdog has to go through a training period, once that is completed the sheepdog does most of the practical work, rounding up, guarding protecting and watching over the flock as the shepherd gives directions. The shepherd is responsible for the overall welfare of the sheep making sure they are led to plenty of water and grazing. The deacons ministry is to be “hands-on” and very practical assisting the church leadership in almost all areas of the churches activities.

 

 

Deaconship is privilege and demanding and should be understood in that light, it is not a situation or position to be held in name only. It means to be committed and working to please the Great Shepherd the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews.13:20-21.

 

 

Yearly every Deacon will be re-assessed with regard to their involvement and ministry, it should be clearly understand that failure to be committed to the vision of the church, support of the leadership or unfaithfulness may result in being asked to step down from the Deacons ministry.

 

 

Senior Pastor Terry Brinded 23rd November 2010.