Content area
Full Text
Abstract: The New Testament office of deacon is disputed primarily because of the paucity of information. Consequently, many look to the following in order to determine the role of deacons in the church: (1) the lexical meaning of ... and its cognates (... and ...); (2) the function of the Seven in Acts 6:1-6; and (3) the qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Additionally, one's view of the role of women in ministry can influence how one perceives the function and authority of deacons. This essay argues that deacons held an official and authoritative, yet nonessential and subordinate, position in the Pauline churches. I support this thesis by considering: (1) the official title of deacons; (2) the official.function of deacons; (3) the official qualifications of deacons; and (4) the official.period of testing and honorable standing of deacons.
Key words: authority, church, deacon, elders, office, qualifications, the Seven
(ProQuest: ... denotes non-US-ASCII text omitted.)
If there is debate and disagreement over the office of elder or overseer, the office of deacon is, if possible, even more disputed. The main reason for different positions relates to the paucity of information on deacons. Although the term ... occurs 29 times in the NT (with 21 occurrences in Paul's writings), the use of the term in reference to a church office is found in only two or three passages (Rom 16:1; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8, 12).1 Consequently, many look to the following in order to determine the role of deacons in the church: (1) the lexical meaning of ... and its cognates (i.e., ... and ...); (2) the function of the Seven in Acts 6:1-6; and (3) the qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Additionally, one's view of the role of women in ministry can influence how one perceives the function and authority of deacons. At risk of oversimplifying the various stances on the diaconate, I will categorize the various positions into two main camps: (1) deacons as lowly, benevolent servants and (2) deacons as authoritative servants.
INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS THE ROLE OF DEACONS?
1. Deacons as lowly, benevolent servants. This view sees deacons first and foremost as servants who perform menial tasks in the church. They do not possess authority but work behind the...