Biblical Deaconship

ACTS 6: 1-6
Qualifications and Responsibilities
• The meaning evolved thru time
because of tradition.
• Misunderstanding of the bible verses
related to deaconship.
 I. Reality of Church
Problems

6:1 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.
✓Church problems are not always
spiritual in nature.
✓The church has material issues
✓We can talk all day about specific
church problems which are basically
has nothing to do with spirituality
✓They suck our energy
✓BUT, they have to be given attention
 II. Setting Right
Priorities
2So the Twelve gathered
all the disciples together
and said, “It would not
be right for us to neglect
the ministry of the word
of God in order to wait
on tables.
4and will give our
attention to prayer and
the ministry of the
word.”
✓Is it right for Pastors to focus on
things that rob them of ministering in
the word and prayer?
✓Pastors main duty is in his study and
preaching and teaching the word.
✓The Pastors job is to grow and care
for people
✓The Pastors job is the spiritual aspect
of the church
 “The first and principal
duty of a pastor is to feed
the flock by diligent
preaching of the word.” …
 III. Biblical Action Plan
3Brothers and
sisters, choose seven
men from among you
who are known to be full
of the Spirit and wisdom.
We will turn this
responsibility over to
them
 IV. Positive Result
5 This proposal pleased the whole
group. They chose Stephen, a man
full of faith and of the Holy
Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor,
Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from
Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
6 They presented these men to the

apostles, who prayed and laid their

hands on them.
 V. Material Decision Which
Lead to Spiritual Result
7 So the word of God
spread. The number of
disciples in Jerusalem
increased rapidly, and a
large number of priests
became obedient to the
faith.
 What deacons are not/ do
not
1. They are not the teaching elder/pastors
(though there are deacons who can teach
Bible doctrines and Jesus Christ teaching)
2. They are not the sole decision body of the
church (but they can suggest or contribute
to the pastors’ decision making).
3. They are not the legislative body of the
church.
4. They are not the governing/overseeing
body of the church. (The pastor is the one)
5. They don’t work FOR the pastor but WITH
the pastor.
6. They are not church lords. (they are
servants)
 Deacon (functional meaning)

Is not a translation but a

transliteration (conversion) of the Greek
word diakonos.

Diakonos- table servers

Leitourgos-public servant
Huperetes- ship rowers
Doulos- bond slave (lowest form)
 Principle from Acts 6

The church needs deacons

to provide logistical and
material support so that the
elders can focus on the
Word of God and prayer.
 What an elder/pastor
should be doing
Ang matatanda
1 Timothy 5:17

na namamahalang mabuti
ay ituring na may
karapatan sa ibayong
karangalan, lalung-lalo na
ang mga nagpapagal sa
pangangaral at sa
pagtuturo.
 What an elder/pastor
should be doing
Dapat na kanyang
Titus 1:9

pinanghahawakang mabuti
ang tapat na salita na ayon
sa turo, upang
makapangaral siya ng
wastong aral, at
pabulaanan ang mga
sumasalungat dito.
 Qualifications for
Deacons (1 Tim 3:8-12)
1. Dignified (v. 8): This term
normally refers to something
that is honorable, respectable,
esteemed, or worthy, and is
closely related to
“respectable,” which is given
as a qualification for elders (1
Tim. 3:2).
 Qualifications for
Deacons(1 Tim 3:8-12)

2. Not double-tongued (DILOGOS)

(v. 8):
Those who are double-tongued say
one thing to certain people but
then say something else to others,
or say one thing but mean another.
They are two-faced and insincere.
Their words cannot be trusted, so
they lack credibility.
 Qualifications for
Deacons(1 Tim 3:8-12)

3. Not addicted to much wine

(v. 8): A man is disqualified for
the office of deacon if he is
addicted to wine or other
strong drink. Such a person
lacks self-control and is
undisciplined.
 Qualifications for
Deacons(1 Tim 3:8-12)
4. Not greedy for dishonest
gain (v. 8): If a person is a
lover of money, he is not
qualified to be a deacon,
especially since deacons
often handle financial
matters for the church.
 Qualifications for
Deacons(1 Tim 3:8-12)

5. Sound in faith and life

(v. 9): Paul also indicates
that a deacon must “hold
the mystery of the faith
with a clear conscience.”
The phrase “the mystery of the faith”
is simply one way Paul speaks of the
gospel (cf. 1 Tim. 3:16). Consequently,
this statement refers to the need for
deacons to hold firm to the true gospel
without wavering.
 Qualifications for
Deacons(1 Tim 3:8-12)
6. Blameless (v. 10): Paul
writes that deacons must
“be tested first; then let
them serve as deacons if
they prove themselves
blameless”
(v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term
referring to a person’s overall character.
Although Paul does not specify what type
of testing is to take place, at a minimum,
the candidate’s personal background,
reputation, and theological positions
should be examined. Moreover, the
congregation should not only examine a
potential deacon’s moral, spiritual, and
doctrinal maturity, but should also
consider the person’s track record of
service in the church.
 Qualifications for
Deacons(1 Tim 3:8-12)
7. Godly wife (v. 11):
According to Paul,
deacons’ wives must “be
dignified, not slanderers,
but sober-minded, faithful
in all things” (v. 11).
Like her husband, the wife must be dignified or
respectable. Secondly, she must not be a
slanderer or a person who goes around
spreading gossip. A deacon’s wife must also be
sober-minded or temperate. That is, she must be
able to make good judgments and must not be
involved in things that might hinder such
judgment. Finally, she must be “faithful in all
things” (cf. 1 Tim. 5:10). This is a general
requirement which functions similarly to the
requirement for elders to be “above reproach” (1
Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6) and for deacons to be
“blameless” (1 Tim. 3:10).
 Qualifications for
Deacons(1 Tim 3:8-12)
8. Husband of one wife (v.
12): The best interpretation of
this difficult phrase is to
understand it as referring to
the faithfulness of a husband
toward his wife. He must be a
“one-woman man.”
 Qualifications for
Deacons(1 Tim 3:8-12)

9. Manage children and

household well (v. 12): A
deacon must be the spiritual
leader of his wife and
children.
 1 TIM. 3:13
Sapagkat ang mga
nakapaglingkod nang mabuti
bilang mga diakono ay
nagtatamo para sa kanilang
sarili ng isang mabuting
katayuan, at ng malaking
pagtitiwala sa pananampalataya
kay Cristo Jesus.
 RESPONSIBILITIES OF
DEACONS

Spiritual knowledge and well-

being of the congregation,
whereas the title “deacon”
implies one who has a service-
oriented ministry.”
They could be responsible for teaching and
helping the pastors’ function and
administration of the church as directed by
the pastors. Such duties might include and
prioritized:
1. Helping the pastors in Bible Study and
evangelism. (but not limited to deacons, any one
can lead Bible study and evangelize who is willing
to learn because this is the great commission)
2. Monitoring and maintaining of church
Facilities
3. Generosity and benevolence to help the
pastors material needs and his family.
4. Train future leaders
5. Ushers new believers
6. Helps the pastors to solve problem and not
give pastors problems.
 D.E.A.C.O.N.
D- delivers services
E- eliminates burdens of the
pastors/elders
A- accepts responsibilities
C- cares for the temporalities
O- obeys pastors/elders
N- nurtures his spiritual character
They were few
They were selected
They were given charge
THEY WERE MEN

“But some churches choose

women also it’s up to the
pastors decision”