Deacons

November 9, 2026

Memory Verse: Galatians

5:13  For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do

not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one

another through love.

·        

Acts 17:11 

o   Most

important for a church is to be: Christ centered, Bible focused, Where the Gospel

is clearly explained

o   Elders:

Elder – presbúteros, Overseer – epískopoi, Shepherd - poimaínō

Office

Role

Function

§  Acts

20:17 

Office

Role

Function

Elders

§  Acts

20:28 

Office

Role

Function

Elders

Overseers

·        

Acts 20:28 

Office

Role

Function

Elders

Overseers

Shepherd/Pastor

§  Philippians

1:1 

§  Titus

1:5

§  1

Timothy 3:8-13 (Pew Bible pg. 796) 

Office

Role

Function

Elders

Overseers

Shepherd/Pastor

Deacons

·        

Deacons are called diakonoi (plural) in Greek

·        

Acts 6:1-4

·        

Acts 21:8 

Office

Role

Function

Elders

Overseers

Shepherd/Pastor

Deacons

Assistants

Office

Role

Function

Elders

Overseers

Shepherd/Pastor

Deacons

Assistants

Servants

·        

5 qualifications of a deacon (vv.

8-9)

o   Men

of dignity (worthy of respect)

§ 

Acts

16:2 

o   Not

insincere

o   Not

prone to drink much wine

§ 

Proverbs

20:1

§ 

Proverbs

23:29-30 

o   Not

greedy for money

§ 

Matthew

6:24

§ 

1

Timothy 6:10 

o   Holding

to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience

§  Lawrence

Richards, “The Christian maintains a clear conscience by living in harmony with

the truths unveiled in God’s Word.”

·        

1 Timothy 3:10 

§  1

Timothy 3:11 

§  Gynē

= woman/wife

§  Gynaikas

= women/wives

§  Ephesians

4:12 

o   5

Views of who “women” refers to:

§  All

Christian women in general

§  Women

deacons (co-equals with male deacons)

·        

Romans 16:1

§  Deaconesses

(a 3rd, separate office)

§  Women

helpers or assistants to the deacons

§  The

deacons’ wives

·        

4 Qualifications:

o   Dignified

– worthy of respect

o   Not

malicious gossips

o   Temperate

– self-control

o   Faithful

in all things

·        

1 Timothy 3:12 

§ 

Qualifications 6 & 7:

o   Deacons

must be husbands of one wife

o   Deacons

must be good managers of their children and their own households

§  1

Timothy 3:13 

§  Those

who do their servant roles faithfully gain two things:

o   Obtain

for themselves a high standing

o   Obtain

for themselves a great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus

Constitution: Article 6,

Section B – Deacons

By-Laws: Article 5:

Deacons, Section E: Appointment