Deacon(ess)
.jpg)
Deacon[1] is a title given to a person in charge of the church’s affairs and services. The original Greek word διάκονος (diákonos)[2] means servant or assistant, but it began to be used as a term for one of titles after the time of the early Church.
The Origin of the Title of Deacon
The origin of the title of deacon is well described in the book of Acts 6. After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the number of people who believed in Christ increased day by day. As a result, they needed those who would take care of the church’s finance and aid on behalf of the apostles who taught the word of God. The apostles selected seven of the saints, and entrusted them with finances and all kinds of management for the church.
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. Brothers, 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 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
The seven men chosen were Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas.[3] Although the seven men are not referred to as deacons in Acts 6, since their duties became the basis of the title of deacon, these seven are regarded as the first deacons.[4][5]
Qualifications of a Deacon
In the early Church, when appointing deacons for the first time, the qualification was that a deacon should be a person known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. In the book of 1 Timothy, Apostle Paul explains in detail what qualification a deacon must have.
- They must be respectable.[6]
- They must be sincere.[6]
- They must not like drinking.[6]
- They must not pursue dishonest gain.[6]
- They must have a clear conscience.[7]
- They must not be malicious talkers.[8]
- They must be temperate.[8]
- They must be trustworthy in everything.[8]
- They must manage their households well.[9]
Paul taught that those who have served well gain an excellent standing and assurance in their faith in Christ.[10]
See also
References
- ↑ deacon, Merriam-Webster Dictionary
- ↑ "1249. diakonos". Bible Hub.
- ↑ "Acts 6:5–6".
- ↑ Deacon, A Dictionary of Christian Antiquities, Being a Continuation of the "Dictionary of the Bible" · Volume 1, J. Murray, 1875, pg. 526-527
- ↑ "Acts 21:8".
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "1 Timothy 3:8".
- ↑ "1 Timothy 3:9".
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "1 Timothy 3:10–11".
- ↑ "1 Timothy 3:12".
- ↑ "1 Timothy 3:13".