1 Timothy 3:8-13
8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
It was almost three weeks of pause since the last time I shared the article for our Midweek Devotional series from the book of 1st Timothy. Forgive me for such pauses, I am hoping to resume this series back to regular weekly tasks with the help of the Holy Spirit who perseveres us.
But I hope that this doesn’t stop us to continue with our own personal devotions everyday as our personal commitment to growth in the knowledge of the Lord and in Biblical Study of His Word.
Continuing with 1st Timothy 3:8-12, Apostle Paul gave his child in ministry, Timothy, a similar standard to those who were called to be Deacons of the local church. When Paul started with a phrase “In the same way”, he was simply referencing the succeeding phrases to prior passages which refer to the sets of qualities of an elder.
You will notice very easily the similarities of those qualities enumerated by Apostle Paul about the Deacons in reference to qualities of the Elders. These similar qualities are sets to the high standards of morals, of characters, and of good works which are to be tested prior to service and kept these attributes as per Paul's instructions.
This includes even in the aspect of “having one wife” which is now one of the disputed claim for holding a position of leadership for a woman because of such phrase. We know very well, that there are Elders and Deacons that are women serving in 1st Century church. And to restrict this sets of qualities to men alone, invalidates the names of women mentioned as elders and deacons in the New Testament books. We will look into it in more detail in the future as to clear in more details the prohibitions of elders in the church as a woman.
Now, if there are similarities on the qualities of the two types of service, there are definitely differences in this Paul’s description. One of such and I would say as a very important one is that an Elder is “ABLE TO TEACH.” This is the primary activity of an elder as it uses this ability in preaching, teaching, and counselling the flocks of Christ Jesus. Remember that Jesus Christ told in three time to Peter as to what important thing he must do to the flock of CHrist, "Feed the Lambs", "Shepherd the Sheep", and again "Feed the Sheep". All of these pertains to the ability to teach the flocks of God.
Acts 6 shows us a good example in the lives of the growing numbers of disciples and its duty of care to the church. The 12 disciples who are then appointed elders are focusing primarily to preaching the Word of God and gave the other physical tasks to the deacons. Deacons who serve and administer the physical needs or common affairs of the church, while Elders to the Spiritual needs of the church such as preaching, teaching, counselling the local church.
Acts 6:1-4
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Deacons which is "diákonos" in Greek, simply means in English word as servants, ministers, or waiting man. And I believe, everyone can serve as deacons of the church in so many ways to serve the people of Christ in the church. Regardless of whether we are called deacons or not, Christians who serve the people of God in their respective local churches have to make sure that they not only serve humbly but also abide in Christ and maintain such high standard set for servants of the church. By extension, all Christians are servants of God (c.f. 1 Corinthians 4:1, Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Galatians 1:10)
Remember, Paul told Timothy to test those who are wanting to serve as Deacons and if no one is against of them, let them serve. Not only that, he also gave the benefits of those who serve well as they will gain things they don’t even expect in their act of humility to serve God faithfully. Paul said that Deacons who served very well will obtain highest or excellent standing among the people and have assurance or confidence of their faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Serving is the demonstration of our confidence in the faith we have in Christ Jesus. If there is true faith in the heart of a Christian, serving His people is never an obligation but simply demonstration of such new heart in Christ Jesus. We never get tired, neither comes to our mind that we get tired of serving, because we know in our heart that we serve the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Jesus himself have described our services to the physical needs of His people, our fellow brethren, as one that is unnotice in the limelight but truly been kept in the notice of God for all eternity.
Matthew 25:34-40
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Let us, therefore, serve one another. Let us be a true deacons of high standards of morals and characters. Let us be a Christian who demonstrate great confidence in our faith in Christ Jesus through serving Him and His people.
Comments
Post a Comment