Lesson 553

(Lesson 553)(02-20-13) 1 Timothy 3:8-16, "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

This lesson lays out the character requirements for the office of deacon within the Church. They are much the same as those required of a bishop, also, by the same standard, disqualifying women from holding this office. We might note that a deacon is not required to be apt to teach as is the bishop. This is a bit confusing in balance with the great commission in that we are all clearly required to teach.

Strongs' bible dictionary defines a deacon as: One who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister, the servant of a king, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use, a waiter, one who serves food and drink.

We can determine by the definition of the term that a deacon is to be a servant to the needs of the Church community. They are to minister to the needs of the entire membership and hold no explicit authority over any other member of the Church.~