2 Words in 1

God’s Deacons
Decently and In Order

 

God’s Deacons

It seems that many continue to pick and choose what they want others to know and abide by. There are those who feel they have the authority to take out, or ignore certain things that do not agree with their theology, or prop up their power base. The question one might ask, is why the Office of Deacon, is ignored in many of our churches?

If we study it, we find that this office, has basically the same requirements of the office of the Bishop. It doesn’t say that they have to be able to preach or teach, but it also did not say they couldn’t, if it were needed for them to!

Many denominations have Deacons who are quite active in helping the affairs of the church. They are known for being a great help to the pastor and usually even more so, for the body of saints in any assembly. If I’m correct, many of us did not here much teaching about Deacons. We were more likely to hear some talk more about the Bishops place. It is somewhat well known that some Christian denominations ignore this office totally. It seems they feel this position is not needed in their churches. Since it is clear that this position was written out in the same part, just behind those of the Bishop, why have many seen no need for what the Bible has to say?

In some places, the Deacon is appointed by the church body. Regardless of how many different pastors might serve through time in that church, the Deacon can remain a Deacon for as long as he or she might live. That is, as long as they continually live by the precepts of their office.

To reassure that this is a qualified New Testament subject, I read where Paul wrote, “to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons” (Philippians 1:1). We know that women can also be Deacons, as they are in some churches, because there was a reference to the lady called Phoebe in the scriptures (Romans 16:1). I don’t recall men or women being trained or encouraged to become a Deacon in the movement I grew up in. Most I knew, didn’t have any.

The Deacon is sometimes a mediator between the laity and the leadership. As a likely permanent member of the local assembly, he is aware of the needs and desires of the other members of the church body. It would also make sense, that they are representatives of that particular assembly and they are much involved in the affairs of that congregation. They can be of great assistance to the leadership; taking care of certain business that will relive the leadership of having to deal with everyday burdensome duties. It may be the next point that explains why some have omitted this office. If the leadership fails to properly carry out their responsibilities or becomes overbearing in their ideas, the Deacon can represent the rest of the flock.

The Bible says this, “for them that have used the office of a Deacon, will purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:13). If they have lived the life that is called for, if they have also studied the Word and sought to follow after the Spirit, they have a boldness in the faith. They’ve lived well by the standards set down in the written word, they’ve proven themselves among the people and they are worthy of respect and recognition.

We need these people today. They are scripturally based men and women, and they contribute to the balance that is meant to be, and much needed, in the New Testament Church of today . I believe that this is part of the truth for this hour; and part of God’s word.

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Decently and In Order

How do you know when things are being done out of order? Is it one person’s duty to know this, or is it the entire body of Christ, that should know how things are to be done, in the house of God?

I was just reading how the body of Christ was meant to grow up; that each part was to be fitly joined together, edifying the entire body, in love (1 Corinthians 12). I have heard people use this opening verse, as a reason to be in control of what everyone else should be doing; to the point, that they are also out of order themselves. Attempting to control the moving of the Spirit, is very serious.

This verse, was at the end of a long, intense chapter where the Apostle was giving instruction. Many, need to go back and read the first verse, and what the subject matter really is. “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1).

This is the very chapter in the Bible, where we get the directions on how to operate certain things that the New Testament church does. We learn the order of giving out messages in tongues, how we should interpret those tongues, and when. Some forget or omit, that the Apostle, also told us here, how the prophets were supposed to present themselves; an order to that also. The instructions, were clear and precise.

We know, that there were “prophets and teachers” in the church at Antioch. It is not in order, to think we can operate the true church of the Living God today, and suppress those whom the Spirit has called for this work. In the opening words of this chapter, we were told to “desire spiritual gifts.” It makes no sense, to desire these gifts, and then not be allowed to use any of them. To be censored or regulated to such a point, that these gifts are weak and ineffective, is not only offensive to the Spirit, but it is about as out of order as we could possible get. All of these things the writer talked about in these writings, were for the edifying of the body of Christ, and to help it grow and mature. It was all to be done, in the Spirit, and by the Spirit.

People who are not allowed to grow, as the Spirit desires them to grow, are weak and mostly powerless. Attempting to rule over God’s heritage, is not decent; it never was. Ruling by fear, threatening people’s salvation, if they do not comply with every rule and commandment of men, is not decent, or in order either. It’s not the way Christ set up His church; and it is certainly not what the Apostles taught. It’s no wonder that the Word said, that so many of us, needed to be taught all over again. If we did not let the ministry operate fully as it was written, if we tried to thwart the operation of the gifts of the Spirit in their fullness, we have not been in order; but in error.

It’s not our church. I said before; we didn’t pay for it; we never were beaten for it or even gave our very lives for it. Jesus Christ, is the head of His Church. He taught His apostles while He was here; and then the Holy Ghost taught them after He left and ascended into Heaven.

I can only speak for myself today. I don’t want to be a part of anything that is so much less then what Jesus Christ set in order. Without His order, it is boring, it is terribly unfulfilling, and it’s only a form or what it was meant to be. The world has great music and entertainment, if that is what someone wants. But they do not have the fullness of the true Gospel and they don’t have the depth in the Spirit that was promised to those who desire it.

For the church, the people, not to follow the leading of the Spirit, will only result in chaos and loss.

 

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Robert Blackburn