Posts Tagged ‘deacons’
Serving the Church
by Zeke Flores In any local church, there are dual needs that must be met. The physical requirements of operating a local church must be taken care of because, after all, we are flesh and blood people with material needs to carry out the Lord’s work. Then, and most importantly, there are the spiritual needs…
Read MoreMuch Wine?
by Tracy Dugger In giving the qualifications of elders, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write that an elder is not to be, “…given to wine…” (I Timothy 3:3). Then in I Timothy 3:6, Paul stated of deacons, “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine…” This alleged difficulty…
Read MoreIf a man gains children through marriage, is he qualified to be a deacon?
Question: I know the Bible says a deacon is to have one wife and rule their children well, among other qualifications, but these are the two I have a question about (I Timothy 3:8-12). If a deacon is divorced based on scriptural grounds, meaning his wife cheated on him and he left her. Later on,…
Read MoreShould a man be appointed a deacon when he only attends Sunday morning services?
Question: I emailed you before about a topic, and you had an answer that I did not agree with at all, but today I have an unrelated question. At our church, we are in the process of selecting new deacons. Is it wrong for me to think it is a bit ridiculous that two of…
Read MoreIs there a conflict of interest if a man is both a preacher and an elder or deacon?
Question: I have a question that I am struggling with. I can’t find any scriptural reasons against what has been done at our local church but still have an uneasiness about it. We have a smaller church whose membership has been trending down the past several years since our minister has taken the job. He…
Read MoreTo Equip the Saints for Service
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The Organization of the Church The Apostles Prophets What Are Elders Responsible For? Servants of the Church The Purpose of Preaching What Is Teaching?
Read MoreServants of the Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ServantsOfTheChurch1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 6:1-6 I. Early in the church’s history, the number of brethren increased dramatically. A. With that increase came “growing pains.” B. Circumstances caused the church in Jerusalem to have a large number of widows who needed care. 1. Some felt that preference was being given to native widows over those from…
Read MoreDoes I Timothy 3:11 refer to both elders and deacons’ wives?
Question: In I Timothy 3:11, where it says “Likewise their wives,” do you think the word “their” means both elder and deacons wives? Or is this word a specific reference to deacons’ wives? I ask this because in context this verse falls under the qualification of a deacon. Answer: Actually, in Greek, it just says…
Read MoreQualifications for Deacons
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/QualificationsForDeacons.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreThe Organization of the Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/OrganizationOfTheChurch.mp3 Text: Hebrews 8:1-5 I. We give God glory when we teach His doctrine and execute it accordingly – I Peter 4:11 A. Thus we are to follow the pattern set for us – Philippians 3:17 B. Warnings abound not to change the message – Galatians 1:6-10 C. Any change would give glory to man and no longer…
Read MoreCan deacons have multiple wives and homes?
Question: I was wondering if polygamy is wrong because a Christan polygamy site states this: “mia doesn’t mean one, it means first in I Timothy 3:2,12; Titus 1:6” Regarding idios they are saying “The word “idios” signifies actual or potential corporate possession, or “ownership” (although sometimes the two words may be synonymous, the change up in this verse is…
Read MoreDoes the New Testament Authorize Deaconesses?
by Carrol R. Sutton via Guardian of Truth, November 16, 1989 The question under consideration in this study is one about which scholars are divided. Some do not hesitate to say that deaconesses are authorized in the New Testament. Others say that it is questionable and still others suggest that there is no authority in the…
Read MoreIf I haven’t married yet, can I still be a deacon?
Question: Good day, Bro. Jeffrey, I write this email in order to seek a mature answer and guidance from a well-rounded spiritual leader. Our local church here wants to appoint deacons since we don’t have formally appointed ones. We already studied the apostle Paul’s teachings on appointing deacons based on I Timothy 3:8-12 for many…
Read MoreWould a man be qualified as a deacon if his teenage son attends denominational services with his friends and is not a Christian?
Question: First, I would like to compliment you on your website. There have been many times I have included the phrase “La Vista Church of Christ” when web searching tough scriptural questions that I have. I am an elder in the church of Christ. We are in the process of appointing deacons. We are considering…
Read MoreCan a man be a deacon in the church if he doesn’t have children?
Question: I have a question I would very much like an answer to: Can a man be a deacon in the church if he doesn’t have children? Answer: “Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households” (I Timothy 3:12). “Must” lays down a requirement that…
Read MoreIs it scriptural for a congregation to have men in their twenties as treasurers?
Question: Hi there, Our congregation has just appointed two men in their mid-twenties as our treasurers. Is this scriptural? I always thought it should be older men. Our congregation also doesn’t have elders or deacons. Answer: Typically the physical needs of a congregation are handled by deacons, but the congregation where you are doesn’t have…
Read MoreShould a man who committed the same sin many times and is still fighting against it be in a leadership position?
Question: Should a man who committed the same sin many times and is still fighting against it be in a leadership position? Answer: Preachers are involved in helping people out of their sins. Elders are involved in keeping people faithful to the gospel. Given that Jesus said, “And why do you look at the speck…
Read MoreWhy is the qualification for deacons “not given to much wine?”
Question: I scanned through the topics on your website about drinking, but I still have a question about I Timothy 3:8. I’m not trying to argue that drinking is OK or trying to reword the Scripture to allow it. I do like a beer with a meal on occasion, but I don’t support alcoholism and…
Read MoreIs there any scriptural evidence of deaconesses?
Question: Is there any scriptural evidence of deaconesses? Answer: The word “deacon” is a derivative transliteration of the Greek word diakonos. The word is means a servant and it can be translated as servant, minister, deacon, or waiter. Typically translators try to use “minister” when diakonos is being applied to a preacher. “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos,…
Read MoreHow do you handle a rebellious 17-year-old who plans to move out and marry his girlfriend?
Question: I have a rebellious 17-year-old son living at home. Recently he received a speeding ticket. For punishment, he is grounded. He will turn 18 shortly and is threatening to move out. He also wants to marry his girlfriend of several months. I have tried everything to help him serve the Lord and do what…
Read MoreWhat about deacons not being given to much wine, doesn’t this allow for a casual drink?
Question: I really appreciated your “New Testament Beverages.” However, how does one answer the question relating to deacons must not be given to much wine? This seems to allow for a casual drink. If this was merely grape juice, should we not ask prospective deacons how much grape juice they drink? Answer: “Likewise deacons must…
Read MoreShould a person leave a church that doesn’t have elders or deacons?
Question: How long should a person attend a church that does not have any elders or deacons? What are some of the problems associated with a church not having any elders or deacons? Answer: The follow-on question is: Are there no elders because none one currently attending is qualified, or are there no elders because the…
Read MoreMay a church without elders appoint deacons?
Question: May a church assign to a servant or servants (deacons) a specific task or tasks in which they will serve the congregation and for which they will be responsible and answerable to the congregation for performing if the church does not have elders. In other words, may they set or appoint men as servants…
Read MoreDo the elders and preachers constitute the church in decisions?
Question: I have been a member of the church of Christ for some time now. My family and I moved to another congregation to help out because they were very small. My wife and I began to have difficulties in our marriage. She decided to take our problems to the elders and the preacher of…
Read MoreWhat is needed in a deacon’s wife?
Question: Please give me some pointers on how to be a proper wife of a deacon, i.e. physically, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, etc. I would like to know about all the inward and outward aspects of being a deacon’s wife. Answer: The rule of life for a deacon’s wife is the same as for all Christian…
Read MoreWhat qualifications does an elder need that a deacon does not?
Question: What qualifications does an elder need that a deacon does not? Answer: In regards to the family, an elder must have “faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination” (Titus 1:6) and be “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence” (I Timothy 3:4) while a deacon…
Read MoreWhat happens if an elder’s wife dies?
Question: If a man is qualified to serve as an elder but his wife dies before he is installed, can he still become an elder? If an elder’s wife dies may he continue to serve? Answer: In looking for qualified men to be elders, we put so much emphasis on the qualifications of the man…
Read MoreWhen Children Go Wrong
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. The raising of a child is a fearful responsibility. A. God entrusts you with the care of a precious soul wrapped up in a tiny body. B. All souls belong to God – Ezekiel 18:4 C. Each child is a precious gift 1. Jacob understood this – Genesis 33:5 2. The Psalmist so stated – Psalm…
Read MoreWho appoints elders?
Question: Who appoint elders? Answer: The qualifications for the position of elder are found in lists recorded in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. That the eldership is a distinct duty is clearly seen in I Timothy 3:1, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires…
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