The role of Deacons versus Elders
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 2:43 am
Inquiry in Reference To: [url=http://www.insearchoftruth.org/articles/deacons.html]http://www.insearchoftruth.org/articles/deacons.html[/url]
I am currently studying the biblical role of deacon to try and gain a more biblical understanding of the role after hearing strong opposing views on the subject from people within my church. One side takes the view that Deacons are merely practical, and uses Acts 6 as a justification for this, whilst the other denies a practical/spiritual divide in role of Elder and Deacon and refutes Acts 6 as being in reference to a Deacon.
I have determined to work from the bible alone and as such have been studying the word 'Diakonos'- initially coming to the conclusion that their was no specific role until I read the Philippians 1:1 reference on working through the bible, which made it clear there was. 'Deacon' is a specific usage of the word 'Diakonos', such that most times Diakonos is used it literally means servant or minister. However, the word Diakonos is NOT used in the Acts 6 passage and so I fail to see why people use that as such an important text in regards to the nature of the role of deacon, as you did in your article.
I feel that in order to come to the conclusion you did about the role of Deacon you have to overemphasize the Acts 6 text (which is not clearly in reference to Deacon) as opposed to other texts. Brushing aside that text, which text gives you the impression that Deacons are only or mainly for practical work? I am not at all opposed to the notion that Deacons are only for practical, as though I am trying to fit the texts around my already made-up mind, quite the opposite, I am trying to fit my mind around the texts, but fail to see this spiritual/practical distinction so may talk about.
The idea of Deacons only being practical work doesn't tend to fit in with my understanding of the role in practice. I understand tradition/precedent is no basis whatsoever for biblical truth but in my church we have 6 deacons with 5 of them having a specific role within the church; church secretary, church treasurer, missionary secretary, handyman/maintenance deacon and youth leader/ Sunday school superintendent. It can be argued that all of the first 4 are exclusively practical (I disagree as some contain very much spiritual elements) but I cannot see how the leader of the children's work is only a practical role. Does that make it the job of the Pastor rather than a Deacon? Is it that that specific Deacon's role is un-biblical or that the role of Deacon is not limited to being practical but perhaps its emphasis should be? Also, which texts suggest this to be the case?
Thank you for your time
I am currently studying the biblical role of deacon to try and gain a more biblical understanding of the role after hearing strong opposing views on the subject from people within my church. One side takes the view that Deacons are merely practical, and uses Acts 6 as a justification for this, whilst the other denies a practical/spiritual divide in role of Elder and Deacon and refutes Acts 6 as being in reference to a Deacon.
I have determined to work from the bible alone and as such have been studying the word 'Diakonos'- initially coming to the conclusion that their was no specific role until I read the Philippians 1:1 reference on working through the bible, which made it clear there was. 'Deacon' is a specific usage of the word 'Diakonos', such that most times Diakonos is used it literally means servant or minister. However, the word Diakonos is NOT used in the Acts 6 passage and so I fail to see why people use that as such an important text in regards to the nature of the role of deacon, as you did in your article.
I feel that in order to come to the conclusion you did about the role of Deacon you have to overemphasize the Acts 6 text (which is not clearly in reference to Deacon) as opposed to other texts. Brushing aside that text, which text gives you the impression that Deacons are only or mainly for practical work? I am not at all opposed to the notion that Deacons are only for practical, as though I am trying to fit the texts around my already made-up mind, quite the opposite, I am trying to fit my mind around the texts, but fail to see this spiritual/practical distinction so may talk about.
The idea of Deacons only being practical work doesn't tend to fit in with my understanding of the role in practice. I understand tradition/precedent is no basis whatsoever for biblical truth but in my church we have 6 deacons with 5 of them having a specific role within the church; church secretary, church treasurer, missionary secretary, handyman/maintenance deacon and youth leader/ Sunday school superintendent. It can be argued that all of the first 4 are exclusively practical (I disagree as some contain very much spiritual elements) but I cannot see how the leader of the children's work is only a practical role. Does that make it the job of the Pastor rather than a Deacon? Is it that that specific Deacon's role is un-biblical or that the role of Deacon is not limited to being practical but perhaps its emphasis should be? Also, which texts suggest this to be the case?
Thank you for your time