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The Role of a New Testament Deacon

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Guillermin Library Liberty University Lynchburg, VA 24502 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY THE ROLE OF A NEW TESTAMENT DEACON: AN OFFICE TO HOLD OR A MINISTRY TO PERFORM? A Dissertation Submitted to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY By Waylan Lawrence Payne, Jf. Lynchburg, Virginia May, 1996 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET /J- GRADE ABSTRACT THE ROLE OF A NEW TESTAMENT DEACON: AN OFFICE TO HOLD OR A MINISTRY TO PERFORM? Waylan L. Payne, Jr. Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 1996 Mentor: Dr. Carl 1. Diemer, Jr. The function of deacons in many Southern Baptist churches is inconsistent with biblical principles, creating confusion at the local church level. This phenomenon is substantiated by information gathered from available literature, surveys, and personal interviews with professors, pastors and deacons. The purpose of this paper is to present a biblical and historical basis for the diaconate and to provide successful deacon ministries as positive role models. Two church offices are recognized--pastor/elder/overseer and deacon. Deacons are not elders or overseers. When they attempt to perform as such, administrating church business, they are functionally violating New Testament principle and practice. Abstract length: 99 words. Tafmf <JQL ypa<j>w EA TIL( wv EA8EL v TIPO£; <JE EV taXEL' 15 Eav OE ppaouvw, Lva ELOU£; TIW£; OEL EV OL Kq> 8EOU ava<JtpE<j>E<J8al, ~n£; E<JtL v EKKAll<JLa 8EOU (WVtO£;, <JtUAO£; KaL EopaLwlla til£; aA1l8da£;. lIPO}} TIMOeEON A' 3:14-15 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; {15} but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. lTimothy 3:14-15, NKJV TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ............................. 1 PART ONE: A BmLICAL SURVEY OF THE DEACON MINISTRY SECTION I: THE BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS OF A DEACONMINISTRY CHAPTER 2: A SURVEY OF PHILIPPIANS 1: 1 ............... 21 CHAPTER 3: A SURVEY OF ACTS 6:1-7 .................... 63 CHAPTER 4: A SURVEY OF 1 TTh10THY 3:8-13 .............. 83 SECTION II: THE BIBLICAL FUNCTIONS OF A DEACON MINISTRY CHAPTER 5: BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR DEVELOPING A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITHIN THE CHURCH ... 120 CHAPTER 6: BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR DEVELOPING A PHILOSOPHY OF DEACON MINISTRY .............. 170 PART TWO: TRENDS IN DEACON MINISTRY SECTION I: HISTORICAL TRENDS IN DEACON MINISTRY CHAPTER 7: THE DEACON MINISTRY FROM THE EARLY CHURCH TO THE REFORMATION .................. 237 CHAPTER 8: THE DEACON MINISTRY IN BAPTIST LIFE .... 262 111 SECTION II: CURRENT TRENDS IN DEACON MINISTRY CHAPTER 9: INTERVIEWS WITH THEOLOGICAL PROFESSORS .................................... 302 CHAPTER 10: A SURVEY OF SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCHES ..................................... 306 PART THREE: PRACTICAL APPLICATION AND ROLE MODELS CHAPTER 11: PRACTICAL CONCERNS RELATING TO THE DEACON MINISTRY ............................. 322 CHAPTER 12: ROLE MODELS IN DEACON MINISTRY ....... 339 CHAPTER 13: GENERAL CONCLUSIONS .................. 350 APPENDICES APPENDIX A: DOES ACTS 6:1-7 PRESENT THE CHURCH'S FIRST DEACONS? ................................ 362 APPENDIX B: ARE LAYMEN TO SERVE AS ELDERS? ........ 382 APPENDIX C: THE CHRISTIAN'S USE OF WINE ............ 402 APPENDIX D: DEACONS AND DEACONESSES? ............. 412 APPENDIX E: TRANSCRIPTS OF THE INTERVIEWS WITH THEOLOGICAL PROFESSORS ...................... 439 APPENDIX F: A SURVEY OF DEACON MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH .................... 469 APPENDIX G: TRANSCRIPTS OF THE INTERVIEWS WITH ROLE MODEL CHURCHES .............................. 482 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................ 528 1V CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. {2} Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, ''It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and sen'e tables. {3} "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men ofgood reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; {4} "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word" {5} And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a manfull offaith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, {6} whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. {7} Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 6: 1-7 A Biblical Foundation for the Deacon Ministry The Origin of the Deacon Ministry The need for deacons came early in the life of the church. According to Acts 6: 1- 7,1 the first deacons were selected only five years after Jesus had suffered the agonizing 1 Contrary to this view, some believe the incident recorded in Acts 6: 1-7 is the setting aside of Hellenistic preachers, not deacons. Nonetheless, this passage is best understood as presenting the origin of the deacon ministry. This event, then, serves as a model for the more formalized office of deacon as found later in the New Testament era. For a detailed discussion, see Appendix A: Does Acts 6: 1-7 Present the Church's First Deacons? 1 2 and humiliating death of crucifixion. 2 Yet, because He had been raised in glory and power, the church was experiencing tremendous revival. The seeming defeat at Calvary had been authenticated for what it really was--victory over death! Many in Jerusalem were being radically changed as they experienced a personal relationship with God. Their sins had been forgiven and they could dance as children of the King. The deadness of religious ritual had been replaced by joyful fellowship with the living Lord. The Holy Spirit had indwelt them, permeating their lives with the very presence of a holy God. A Needed Minisny Due to Growth Being empowered by the Spirit at Pentecost, the infant church at Jerusalem took to heart the last command and commission of Jesus: " ... make disciples ofall the nations" (Matt. 28: 19a). Accordingly, God blessed them as they obediently lived out His will. This blessing was so great, as indicated by the context of Acts 6, that the church grew to about twenty-five thousand people.3 Along with this blessing, however, came tension caused by severe growing pains. Obviously, such rapid expansion required a new structure of organization and leadership. Thus, it was in this atmosphere of revival that the Holy Spirit led the apostles to implement the new position of "deacon" into the church. Under their direction, the church set aside seven godly men to serve the needs of the people. 2 F. F. Bruce, The Book ofActs, in The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1986), 131, n. 18; C. H. Turner, "Chronology of the NT," in Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vols., ed. J. Hastings (Edinburgh: n. p., 1898-1904), 1 (1898):421ff. 3 R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of The Acts of the Apostles (Lutheran Book Concern, 1934; Wartburg Press, 1944; Minneapolis: Augsburg Pub. House, 1961),239. 3 A Commendable Ministry Due to Service The newly created position of deacon did not have the same job description as that of an apostle (or elder), but his ministry was just as real. Although two from the group, Stephen and Philip, were in the spotlight, the other five served in the background as "unsung heroes." All seven were, no doubt, constantly involved in the work of the Lord. These men not only helped their preachers, but they preached themselves. They not only ministered effectively to the church body, but also to the lost world. Not only did they perform practical ministry, but supernatural ministry. Ministry of this type cannot be valued too highly or commended too often. The Importance of the Deacon Ministry That deacons fulfilled an important role during the New Testament era, is easily recognized by observing their presence and practice in the early church. Therefore, to help verify the significance of their ministry, several noteworthy points will be made based on a summary of the Biblical evidence. Their importance is substantiated by noticing: (1) the emphasis placed on this ministry throughout Scripture; (2) the evident testimony they portrayed for their Savior; (3) the positive results produced through their ministry; and (4) the later admonition of Paul to continue the ministry of deacons. The Importance as Shown by Emphasis in Scripture First, the importance of the deacon ministry in the New Testament is evident by the emphasis placed on its inception by Luke in Acts 6: 1-7. Since the deacon ministry was an original contribution to organized religion, he no doubt wanted to preserve a record of 4 its beginning. Luke also, having been a companion of Paul, was surely impressed by the profound worth that Paul had later attributed to this office. Further, this office was not just a localized position. It started in the first church at Jerusalem (Acts 6: 1-7), later spread to the Gentile churches (Philippians 1: 1), and eventually occupied a major position in Paul's instructions to Timothy concerning local church organization and structure (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Finally, the Scriptural importance ofthis office is recognized based on its distinction. Its creation made it one of only two offices ever appointed in the church (Philippians 1: 1; 1 Timothy 3: 1-13). Thus, the Bible affords great significance to the deacon ministry throughout its teaching on the New Testament church. The Importance as Shown by Their Testimony Another consideration that points to the prominence of the deacon ministry in the early era is the tremendous testimony the first deacons bore concerning their Savior.
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