First must become last and servant to all

DEACONS

The Transformation of the role of the Biblical Deacon:

(from being the King’s “minister” to being a servant to all)

(Greek: Diaconate, Latin: Ministers)

(dia, konis) translation of the combined Greek words is “To raise dust in a hurry”

The office of deacon is an office of service to the Lord, the poor and the church

 

The New Testament job duties of the Deacon require “waiting” on 3 Tables:

1. The LORD’s table (the King) John 2, Mathew 22 and Mark 9 and 10
2. The Table for the poor: the widowed and orphans in and out of the church: (Mark 9 and 10 as well as Acts 6)
3. The church: freeing up the pastors and elders to teach the Word (Acts 6)

There is no word quite like “deacon” in the Old Testament.  Elders (or old men) were well known.  A passage about Moses appointing “capable men” (or elders) in Exodus 18:13-27 is a good reference.  However, some of the duties of the deacons seem be similar to the Levites, who helped the “priests”.

In the New Testament, the 3 duties of the deacons (diakonate) are illustrated in regards to who they were serving. This relationship theme can be traced through various NT passages.  The Gospels, the book of Acts and Paul’s epistles are our sources.  We can follow Jesus talking about “servants” to the king and others in Mark and Matthew.  Later the Apostles appoint helpers (the word diakonate was not used) about 3-4 years after Jesus resurrection (in Acts 6).  About 20 years later, writing from Corinth to the Roman believers, Paul makes reference to a deacon of the Church for the first time (in Romans 16:5).  Interestingly, that reference was about Phoebe, a deaconess!  A bit later, he mentions the “deacons and elders” working together as leaders for the growing Philippian church (Philippians 1:1).  Finally, about 30 years after the resurrection, (and probably 10 years after writing the book of Romans and close to the same time Philippians was written from a Roman jail), Paul wrote to Timothy, the pastor of the church in Ephesus.  The book, called 1 Timothy, provides a detailed list of qualities and job duties of church elders in verses 3:1-7 and deacons in 3:8-13.  The era of the Apostles was almost gone. From now on, the church would be led by elders and deacons.

So the transformation of the New Testament deacon starts through an act of spiritual and physical service to his LORD the King. He abides in his LORD.  He then moves out to serving the poor and the church. This transformation concludes with qualities that the LORD creates in His servants (1 Timothy 3).  Qualities created through abiding in and yoking to….our LORD the king.

This mirrors the sanctification process.  The process starts in a loving, dynamic relationship with Jesus and then moves out through sacrifice and service to others. Powered by the perfect love of the father and connected to the Son through His Spirit, this service produces abundant fruit.

 

THREE DUTIES OF DEACONS: WAITING ON THREE “TABLES”

 

SERVING THE KING:

John 2:5-9

These servants were waiting on tables but were not “doulos” (or slaves), they were diakonois (or ministers or attendants).  They were attendants to Jesus and did everything He said. They filled the water jars and watched the water turn into wine, to the delight of the groom and “master of the banquet”. The joy of serving the king is on display.

 

Matthew 22: 1-14

In the first part of this passage, Jesus says the King tells his “servants” to go get the people in the streets to come to the wedding party (Matthew 22:9-10). However, the word here for “servant” is doulos which is usually translated as “slave”.  However, in Matthew 22:13, when Jesus tells the “servants” to tie up the guest, this word is diakonois.  Why did Jesus use two words to talk about servants (doulos and diakonois)?  Maybe to show that whoever will be performing these acts of service in the Church will not be slaves to this world (doulos) but adopted sons and daughters of the KING, serving Him and the church out of love?

SERVING THE KING AND THE PEOPLE

Mark 9:33-34

Mark 8, 9 and 10 are very important passages in Jesus’ explanation of how His incarnation would not be displayed through worldly power but through suffering service.  In Mark 9, Jesus established that He is the Son-of-God (Transfiguration, Mark 9:2-12). The disciples thought the Messiah would be the KING of Israel.  They rejected that he would have to suffer and be killed. They confused his Kingdom with a worldly kingdom. They wanted what most people want when they are helping their leader become a great political figure….They wanted to be his “ministers” and competed for that role!  They wanted to be appointed just like politicians do when they become elected, appointing their helpers to powerful positions.  (Mark 9: 33-35  “But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.”  Instead, Jesus told them “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant (diakonis) of all”.  Here, the diakonis is not just serving the King (an important position in the world), but also… everyone!  This was a huge switch!

 

Mark 10:35-43

This chapter continues with this theme. John and James wanted Jesus to let them sit at His right and left side “in your glory” (like a good election volunteer wants an important appointed position).  Jesus says if they want to do that, then they will need to drink from the cup He drinks (suffering-service and death). The others became “indignant” with James and John. Here’s what Jesus said in response to their worldly request (in Mark 10: 43-45, servant is translated from a derivation of “diakonis”.  Even Jesus said he will serve (a verb version of diakonis) but will do this by giving up his life:

⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

 

SERVING THE KING, THE PEOPLE AND THE CHURCH

Acts 6: 1-7

Jesus had ascended and the church was established in Acts 2 with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and miracles were happening everywhere.  Blessings were abundant but persecution was also heating up.  This passage has classically been called the first description of deacons in the church even though the word diakonis was not used in reference to any person (but was used in reference to the “tables” and the “Word”). The church had been established and the Apostles were busy proclaiming the Word.  There was an explosion of new believers.  However, order was needed.

The last verse of chapter 5 showed the hyper-activity that was happening as the Gospel advanced:

⁴² Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Acts 6 starts with telling us the numbers were increasing but there were internal problems. Greek speaking widows were being overlooked in food distribution. The Apostles felt someone else should “wait (diakonein) on tables” so they could give their attention to the “ministry (diakonia) of the word”.  In this passage, the author (Luke) used the word for “service” in 2 new ways, in “serving” food (at tables) and serving the “Word” (by Gospel proclamation and teaching). Even though the new deacons were “filled” with the Holy Spirit, their appointed service was centered in physical service…waiting on physical tables and serving physical food, versus serving Spiritual food.  This was a distinction between the deacons and the Apostles, who were “serving” the Word.  Eventually, in 1 Timothy 3, Paul stated that elders (who replaced the Apostles) should be “able” to teach but did not mention this in the deacon qualifications.

It’s interesting that distinction was made.   However, the infinite mind of God and his sovereignty is on display in the next chapter of Acts (7) when Stephen, one of the newly appointed deacons, gives an amazing lecture to the Pharisees and teachers of the law.  Among many purposes for Stephen’s act of sacrifice, the educational session showed that deacons are needed to teach also.  Their first priority, however, was for the physical needs of those in and out of the church.

Deacons began at a critical time, just prior to tremendous persecution.  Order, unity and service were established, keeping the young Church growing with vision and purpose.

 

Watermark OC church (@WatermarkOC) in Costa Mesa set Deacons in place in October, 2014. These men (and soon to be more including women) truly chose to be last and servants to all.  

QUALITIES REQUIRED OF DEACONS

FOR SERVICE TO THE LORD, THE CHURCH AND THE POOR

1 Timothy 3: 8-13

This book was written towards the end of Paul’s life.  Persecution was once again, heating up.  It was Paul’s second time in prison in Rome and he was nearing his death by decapitation.  Non-biblical, but trustworthy accounts stated that Peter may have been in a nearby cell.  Mark may have visited and helped both Apostles while in prison. Despite the persecution, the Church had grown tremendously.  There were local Christian communities all over the Mediterranean but they were under attack from the Roman authorities and doctrinal heresy.   Timothy, Paul’s faithful disciple for 30 years, was the lead “elder” in the church of Ephesus. Nearly all the Apostles were either dead or in jail. The next generation was taking the baton.  The Holy Spirit, along with new Scriptures that would eventually be called the New Testament was leading.  However, Paul thought the local church leaders would need practical instructions.  Order and unity between all of these local communities required standardized job requirements and descriptions.  In chapter 3, Paul explained the qualifications of elders and deacons.

Qualities produced by abiding in Christ, while being very last and serving all.