Deacons- Husband of One Wife
Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 4:02 pm
I must comment on this qualification, as I don't believe it's correct.
You see, the word "diakonos" from the New Testament simply means a minster or a servant. It wasn't an actual office of the church. Jesus has been called this before, along with Paul and many others. So to say it's the same qualifications as a bishop isn't true.
I know this because there were female "deacons," so to say, who ministered and served. "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well" (Romans 16:1-2).
If you look back on the Greek text, you'll see that it uses the word diakonos to reference her- it is not a gender specific word. Then, it goes on to say she's ministered to many and has been a protector of many, if you follow the true Greek text.
Not only does this justify women in ministry, but it also shows that a "deacon" does not have to be a man, even though a deacon was never a church office to begin with.
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12).
(These job titles are not gender specific- God called EVERYONE to be ministers).
You see, the word "diakonos" from the New Testament simply means a minster or a servant. It wasn't an actual office of the church. Jesus has been called this before, along with Paul and many others. So to say it's the same qualifications as a bishop isn't true.
I know this because there were female "deacons," so to say, who ministered and served. "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well" (Romans 16:1-2).
If you look back on the Greek text, you'll see that it uses the word diakonos to reference her- it is not a gender specific word. Then, it goes on to say she's ministered to many and has been a protector of many, if you follow the true Greek text.
Not only does this justify women in ministry, but it also shows that a "deacon" does not have to be a man, even though a deacon was never a church office to begin with.
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12).
(These job titles are not gender specific- God called EVERYONE to be ministers).