The Appointment of Deacons at Perry Heights

The Scriptures acknowledge the importance and

value of deacons.

• Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: (Philippians 1:1)

• Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. (1 Timothy 3:8-10)

• Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. (1 Timothy 3:12)

• For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)

The Deacon’s Responsibilities

• “diakonos”=a “servant” or a “minister”.– “diakoneo” is commonly translated “to

serve” or “minister unto” someone.– “diakonia” is often translated

“ministry”.– “diakonos” is used of servants in

general and in only a few contexts it becomes clear that the reference is to special “servants” of the church.

The Deacon’s Responsibilities

• Deacons are assistants to the elders of the congregation.– Deacons were called in the early

church “the eyes and ears” of the bishops.

– “Deacons are agents of the bishops and intermediaries between them and the congregation, and in this work they represent and mediate the servant hood of Jesus”. (Ferguson)

The Deacon’s Responsibilities

• Deacons likewise are servants of the congregation & are entrusted with work in behalf of the congregation.

• “But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. (Acts 6:3)

• From the early history of the church we can see that deacons “ministered to the needy, visited the sick, administered church property, and assisted at worship” (Ferguson, p. 336).

The Covenant Between the Deacon and Congregation

What the Church Has a Right to Expect

• Do their work with a “servant’s heart”

• Be “faithful” or “trustworthy” in carrying out their tasks for the good of the cause of Christ

• Be busy or active in accomplishing the tasks given them

What Deacons Have a Right to Expect

• Cooperation and help in the work given to them to accomplish. – from whom the whole body, being fitted and

held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)

• Love and appreciation for their service.

The appointment of Ralph Brown, Mark

Claypool, and Darrell Smith

• And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. (Ac. 6:6)