BIBLICAL HISTORY OF DEACONS AND DEACONESSES
Many historians believe the Acts of the Apostles was written approximately 60 years after the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Acts 6:1-7 of God’s Word Translation describes the need and launching of the first deacon’s ministry this way:
“About this time, when the number of disciples was continually increasing, the Greeks complained that in the daily distribution of food, the Hebrew widows were being given preferential treatment. The twelve summoned the whole body of the disciples together and said, ‘It is not right that we should have to neglect preaching the Word of God in order to look after the accounts. You, our brothers, must look round and pick out from your number seven men of good reputation who are both practical and spiritually minded and we will put them in charge of this matter. Then we shall devote ourselves whole-heartedly to prayer and the ministry of the Word.’
This brief speech met with unanimous approval, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochurus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch who had previously been a convert to the Jewish faith. They brought these men before the apostles, and they, after prayer, laid their hands upon them. So, the Word of God gained more and more ground. The number of disciples in Jerusalem very greatly increased, while a considerable proportion of the priesthood accepted the faith.” Hence, the Ministry of Deaconship was born out of the need for men and women to serve the people of God so that pastors could “devote [themselves] whole-heartedly to prayer and the ministry of
the Word.”
Ocala District Finance Board Wives
Deacon Sylvester Asber – Ocala District Chairman
ROLE OF DEACONS IN THE CHURCH OF GOD BY FAITH
The deacons and deaconesses are the “arms” of the preacher. They are a source of much help to the pastor and the church in many areas. This is the reason that the Word of God distinctly addresses the qualifications of Deacons. Read I Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts, Chapter 6. The deacons/deaconesses job is not to be taken lightly. The deacons and deaconesses must be “teachable.” They must be well rounded and spiritual minded individuals, as well as honest, truthful, trustworthy, and able to handle business affairs. He or she should be role models for other men and women to follow. The deacon and deaconess must make sure that their “house is in order,” that is, their spouse should possess outstanding virtues, and their children should be under control (I Timothy 3:11)
Ocala District Finance Board
