|
“Deacons- The
Administration”
Okay now the church has selected their
choice for the candidates for the office of deacon. Doesn’t the scripture say in
Acts chapter six that they were “appointed over this business?” What is
the “business” of the church that a deacon is supposed to do?
I will say here that there are no
specific services which are assigned to the deacons in the scriptures. But
the “business” of the church is where the deacons are needed the most.
The question must be “What are the needs of the church?” Understand this
important question will allow the church to find their most able men in such
areas as sound financial and business judgment. These men, who are most likely
themselves property owners or they are familiar with many economic conditions
that will aid them in their particular service. Simply by the nature of their
everyday lives, God the Holy Ghost has equipped them to the care of the church
business.
We recall that the original seven men in
Acts six were “appointed over this business.” This word “business”
refers not so much to the financial life of the church as it is for the “needs”
of the church. The men in Acts were to serve “tables.” What kind of
tables? They were to serve tables of benevolence. Theirs was the physical work
of distributing that which was brought for the supply of the needy widows within
the church body. And in order for us to understand the “needs” of the
church in the New Testament, it is necessary that we take a look at a few
passages of scriptures.
Lets start out with Acts 2:44-45, “And
all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their
possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
These folks in the early church had everything in common and they provided for
their needy from one common fund. This was the business of that first church!
And we find that in Acts 4:34-37 that Brother Barnabas and others sold their
possessions and put the proceeds into that common fund.
Okay now we see that Acts 6:1-2 tells us
that there was a complaint about the distribution of those funds. And there was
a “need” for someone, other than the Apostles/Elders to take up the
mantle of this work…and the mantle fell upon the deacons.
We see again that an offering that was
taken in various churches for the “poor” in Acts 11:29-30. And in 1st
Corinthians 16:1-3 we see that this offering provided a regular plan for
providing for the needs of the people within the bonds of the church brethren.
Then again in we see that 2nd
Corinthians 8-9 seems to be devoted to this subject. Paul tells Timothy about
the kind of widows who were to be received and cared for in 1st
Timothy 5:3-16. Notice that the primary emphasis in all of these passages is
upon the meeting of the “needs” of the people in the church, rather than
then upon the fact that deacons were to be responsible for handling the funds.
Let’s be very careful now to not loose our focus; we must conclude that the
primary role of the deacon is one of service!
And at the same time, it’s necessary that
a deacon have God given and God guided leadership abilities as well as
administrative skills. These “qualities” are very useful to the church,
especially after the spiritual “qualities” are first satisfied. Then it
is certain that deacons should be used in the church’s business affairs. They
are not the only ones who are to be used in this work, and this is not to
be considered to be their soul responsibility by divine right. But it is an area
by which they can take the leadership in and render a wonderfully fruitful and
faithful service in bringing others into the work for the good of
all.
Can I make something very clear here and
now? I want to empathize, that the spiritual qualities be first and
foremost considered and settled before any man is called upon to handle any
church business, money, and property. Consecrations of a man’s capacities as
developed in the things of the world and to the things of God are necessary for
the proper handling of the business of God’s church.
I’m saying this for a good and sound
reason beloved; money is not just only money. And property is isn’t only
property. I say this because these things are a reflection of the truth of the
things which have been set aside and dedicated to the house of God to use. These
things are a part of two worlds, the natural and the spiritual, and the deacon
is to be in the world but not of the world. They are entrusted with the
offerings of the worshipers, to use in the care of the church building or house,
and the “needs” of the congregation. For example, to replace a broken
pew, or to repair a leaking roof, or whatever my come up that needs to be taken
care of.
So It’s imperative that the person who is
handling the business needs of the church have the wisdom of God in the things
of this world. He must be blessed with these two “qualities” if the
church is to be cared for in a proper manner.
In most churches the pastor and deacons
are the trustees for the church to which they serve. This is a good and
beneficial thing for the church. It enables them to perform any legal matters
that involve the church, such as dealing with the bank account, official
property matters, etc.
As a general rule, where it is both
possible and practical it is desirable that the deacons assume the
responsibility of the church finances, such as in serving as the treasurer. In
this capacity he is a steward with the responsibility of receiving all moneys
received into the church as offerings. Keeping an accurate record of amounts
received, deposited, and paid out in expenses incurred as a result of the use of
such services that are needed to maintain the church building and property. But
it should be remembered that the office of the deacons is NOT a policy making
office. No, we must not loose our focus here; the church is congregational in
its government. And the deacons serve according to the will of the church. But
it certainly is proper and good for the church to receive the recommendations of
both the pastor and the deacons before any important matters involving the
distribution of funds before any voting.
And we must understand that each and every
member of the church is also a steward just as is both the pastor and the
deacon. No church can be considered to be faithful to Her task that does not
teach its membership proper Biblical stewardship. And the pastor must preach and
teach and the deacon must provide the first example of being faithful in the
matter of giving. They ought to be the first to understand and to put into
practice the basic Biblical admonition to “give not grudgingly, nor of
necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver,” (2 Cor 9:7) giving of their own
time and labor, and of their financial blessings. The offerings that are brought
into the church are undesignated, and will need to be distributed by the will
and vote of the church. The pastor, and especially the deacons are one key in
this basic New Testament method of stewardship.
Another place where the deacon is
indispensable is in the upkeep of the property. The deacon is to take the lead
in bringing together and involving the membership to clean and repair the church
building and the property as it is needed. And it is the fact that he is a
spiritual and dedicated man that enables him to understand that he is to carry
out the will of the church membership its business, because he knows that the
wisdom that is needed come only by and through God.
We’ll close here for now, and hopefully in
our next article we will undertake to consider the actual ordination of the
deacon. May God bless us to be good and faithful stewards of His
blessings.
Elder Thomas R. McDonald
Bible
Rules For Bible Study
A study of the scriptures is a most noble
undertaking. It was said of the Bereans in Acts 17:11, "These were more noble
than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word will all readiness of
mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." As we
begin a study of the scriptures it is important that we know that there are
rules or principles the scriptures give us to study by. By using these rules or
principles we will come to increase our knowledge of the scriptures and be able
to correct any errors in our own knowledge base as well as discuss and reason
biblically any differences of understanding we may encounter with our fellow
Christian travelers.
The bible sets forth the following rules
and principles to study by:
1. II Tim. 3:16, "All scripture is given
by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be
perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." This passage teaches us
several lessons:
A. All good works are taught in the
scriptures.
B. The scriptures are a thorough furnisher unto all "good works." We need not go
outside the scripture to be thoroughly furnished in our instruction about any or
all good works. In contrast, those things that are taught as good works, but not
found in the scriptures are, in fact, "not" good works to be observed by us.
C. The purpose of the scripture is to mature (perfect) the man of God (those
born of God).
D. All verses and passages of scripture, both in the old and new testament will
fit into one or more of the four listed categories doctrine, reproof,
correction, instruction in
righteousness. Paul's own writings and the order they are given unto us in the
bible illustrate this lesson: Romans is primarily a book of doctrine, I & II
Corinthians are primarily books of reproof, Galatians is primarily a book of
correction, and Ephesians thru Philemon are primarily books dealing with
instruction in righteousness.
E. Last, but not least, the bible is inspired of God.
2. John 5:39, the Lord said, "Search the
scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which
testify of me." This verse teaches us:
A. The old and new testament scriptures are a continual testimony of Jesus.
B. We are to search the scriptures for that testimony of Jesus.
3. II Tim. 2:15, "Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth." This scripture teaches us:
A. Our study is not to approve us before
others, but to be approved unto God. As workmen in the kingdom of God, we are to
study that we might not be ashamed because of unskillful use of the scriptures.
B. We must rightly divide the word of truth. That doesn't say that we are to
divide truth from error. For there is no error in God's word. We are to make the
proper application of God's word. A text, out of context, is a pretext. Our
application of the text must fit the context in which it is written.
Furthermore, many subjects have multiple applications. As an example, the
subject of justification can be greatly confusing until you realize the bible
teaches three courtrooms. For instance, the bible teaches in the courtroom of
glory we are justified by grace thru the shed blood of Jesus. In the courtroom
of our minds, we are justified by our faith in the blood of Jesus, and in the
courtroom of public opinion we are justified by our works. Until we rightly
"divide" the subject of justification we will be in a state of confusion on this
or any other subject.
4. II Pet. 1:20, "Knowing this first, that
no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." Too often people
want to put their private interpretations on the scripture. This is often done
by going outside the scripture to interpret things in the scriptures. If someone
goes outside the scripture to interpret the scripture then he has a "private"
interpretation. Regardless of the claims of some that they have a special
revelation from God, the bible clearly teaches us that their claims are false.
5. I Cor. 2:13, "Which things also we
speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost
teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." This informs us that the
Holy Ghost teaches us the understanding of His word by comparing
scripture (spiritual things) with scripture. In other words, the scripture, by
the unlocking of the Holy Spirit is its own interpreter.
6. John 10:35, "...and the scripture
cannot be broken." Scriptures do not contradict (break) themselves. There cannot
be a situation where the scripture teaches one thing and then,
elsewhere, teaches something which contradicts the previous scripture. The
problem is in our understanding of what is being taught. We should seek to
reconcile those scripture which appear to contradict themselves. Often this is
done by changing our mind about what the scripture teach. The previous rule of
interpreting scripture by using other scripture also applies here.
7. Isa. 28:9, 10, "Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to
understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the
breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line;
here a little and there a little." Studying and learning the scriptures is
compared to the natural growth process. When we learn the basic precepts, then
we build upon those basic precepts. Some precepts cannot be adequately learned
until a good foundation has been laid. Furthermore, as in life, we learn "here a
little, there a little." Learning is a lifetime process and our study of the
scriptures should be for the rest of our lives. Almost any bible subject is
taught throughout the bible (here a little, there a little). Indirectly, this
warns us against forming hard concrete opinions based on a single verse of
scripture.
8. Rom. 9:17, "For the scripture saith
unto Pharaoh..." Here Paul equates what God said to what the scripture said.
Some have said, "I pay more attention to the red writing because that is what
Jesus said." All scripture is the word of God. The black writing is just as much
the word of God as the red writing.
Elder Vernon Johnson
| 
