A Two Office Church

2005002

Topic # 1484 (Deacons)

Introduction:

A.     Phil. 1:1

1.      When Paul wrote this letter – he under house arrest in Rome.

2.      Philippian Church sent money – provisions to assist him in meeting his needs.

3.      Sent money by Epaphroditus to communicate their love & support for Him.

B.     Phil 1:1- Paul includes greetings to both the overseers and deacons in the opening salutation.

1.      They are mentioned because they probably played a special part in organizing the church’s financial contribution to Paul.

2.      Paul acknowledges their special part.

C.    IN the NT, deacons are always associated with overseers of the church, yet they are subordinate and distinct from them.

1.      If we want to understand what the NT deacon is, and what he des

2.      We must begin with an understanding of the overseers of the church.

a)     misinterpret the identity of NT overseers

b)     Most likely will distort the meaning and identity of NT deacons.

3.      In some churches today, deacons act as if they were the overseers – which is not NT teaching.

 

I. The identity of overseers.

A.     Overseers from episkopos.

1.      NT times: overseer was a well-known designation of office.

2.      Described an official who worked as a superintendent, guardian, manager, or ruler.

B.     IN NT times, “overseer” became the word used to describe an official church office.

1.      There were no sacred, clerical, or hierarchal connotations with the term overseer.

2.      Overseers are responsible for the overall supervision, protection, management, and care of the people within the congregation.

3.      They care for our souls.

C.    Overseers were also called elders.

1.      “Overseers” and “elders” are used interchangeably to refer to the same group of men.

a)     Acts 20:17, 28 – Luke says Paul sent for elders in Ephesus.

b)     But then tells them elders should oversee.

c)      Obviously, he’s talking to the same group of men.

2.      Titus 1:5-7

a)     1:5 – appt elders in every city.

b)     1:6 – begins elders qualifications

c)      1:7 – interjects the word overseer.

d)     Obvious that Paul had not changed the subject between 1:6 & 1:7.  So elders and overseers refer to the same office.

D.    This would change by end of 2^nd century as these morphed into two separate offices.

1.      Phil. 1:1 mentions only 2 distinct groups of officials in the church: overseers and deacons.

2.      Some 50 years later – Polycarp (70-155) mentions only 2 offices: overseers & deacons.

3.      It is also evident that both offices also consisted of a plurality of officers.

E.     Why would 2 terms refer to the same office?

1.      “Elder” would reflect their dignity, honor, maturity, and wisdom.

2.      “Overseer” would stress the nature of their work: “oversight”

 

II. The Role of Overseers.

A.     NT speaks loudly and clearly on the identity and duties of church elders.

1.      God has plainly stated his will on this matter.

2.      For example:

B.     Elders have the responsibility to protect the church.

1.      Acts 20:17, 28-29

2.      Act 15:6

3.      Must protect the church from inevitable onslaught of false teachers.

C.    Elders have the responsibility to teach the church.

1.      1 Tim. 5:17-18; Titus 1:5, 9; 1 Tim. 3:2

2.      All overseers must be able to teach & if an elder devotes himself to teaching/preaching fulltime – churches must support him & that work.

D.    Elders have the responsibility to lead the church.

1.      They have responsibility to lead, govern, and care for local church members.

2.      1 Peter 5:1-2a; 1 Tim. 5:17a; 1 Thess. 5:12-13

E.     In short, they exhort saints in sound doctrine, teach, pray, and judge doctrinal issues.

1.      They lead, oversee, shepherd, and care for the local church.

2.      Let us respect them for their work.

3.      We have no right to demean their office; not trust them, or usurp their duties.

4.      They are the church’s overseers.

 

III. Deacons.

A.     Comes from a word meaning “servant” or “minister.”

1.      Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8, 12 – describe a special officer of the NT church.

2.      A separate & distinct office from the overseers.

B.     Deaconship involves work to perform.

1.      And, as an office it requires qualification and examination for entry.

2.      Pattern suggests the office of deacon is an official public position with prescribed duties & designated authority.

C.    Deacons exercise official responsibilities of public trust.

1.      Serve because they meet certain requirements and are examined before serving as deacons.

2.      These qualifications include:

a)     integrity in personal character

b)     a strong spiritual life

c)      good family living

D.    Diaconate is not a teaching office.

1.      The biblical requirement for overseers “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2) is not required for deacons.

E.     It is not a ruling or governing office.

1.      Overseers are the ones who protect, tend, and lead.

2.      Diakonos indicates an office of service, not a work of rule.

F.     The diakonate is plainly the subordinate of the 2 offices.

1.      Overseers direct the deacons.

2.      Their offices should compliment each other.

a)     One of pastoral oversight.

b)     Other of practical service.

G.    In NT times, their work was to oversee peoples practical, material needs.

1.      They were ministers of mercy.

 

IV. Deacons must not misunderstand their role.

A.     They are NOT a 2^nd group of overseers/elders.

1.      They are NOT to provide a system of checks & balances for the shepherds.

2.      Deacons are subordinate to the overseers.

B.     While the shepherds have liberty to perform all the functions of deacons – deacons cannot perform all the functions of shepherds.

1.      Shepherds are responsible for overall leadership, supervision, and teaching of a congregation.

2.      In the same way shepherds oversee the church, they also oversee the deacons.

3.      Therefore, deacons are not independent of the leadership oversight of the shepherds.

C.    Elders must clarify regularly what the deacons duties will be.

1.      Lack of clarification/communication causes problems.

2.      If shepherds, provide poor leadership for the church, they will frustrate the deacons.

3.      So effective communication w/clear distinct roles to play is key!

 

Conclusion:

A.     Churches that are committed to going by NT pattern must commit to making the best elderships & deaconships possible.

B.     This is God’s plan of organization for His church & we must respect it.

1.      There is wisdom in simplicity.

2.      If the diakonate and eldership are functioning properly, there is no reason the local church should not grow!

C. I N V I T A T I O N