THE DEACON (eBook)

Chapter 1
The Nature and Function of the Office

In this first chapter, we are going to ask you to think about words. Not just any words, but critical words found on the pages of Holy Scripture. Words have meaning. They have history. We are not at liberty to make a word mean whatever we want it to mean. Additionally, the meaning of a word is not determined solely by its definition. Usage is also important to our understanding of a word. Ultimately, as we note later, usage, not etymology, determines the meaning of a word. This is all the more true when they are biblical words. Biblical words are God’s words, and their usage is intentional.

We will consider things like the meaning, history, usage, and the literal and figurative ideas contained in these words. We will look at the influence of both the Greek and Jewish cultures on their meaning. At times this may seem tedious. However, we believe that this examination and the information it yields is invaluable as we strive to understand the nature and function of the office of the deacon. As you work through the information in this chapter, it may seem like a box of puzzle pieces at first. However, each piece is necessary, and when connected, they create a biblical picture of the person and work of the deacon.

Whatever we understand about the office of the deacon, we must be sure that it is a biblical understanding. Therefore, the Scriptures will keep us from straying too far from God’s original intention for the office.

As we begin our study, please read the following Scriptures to acquaint yourself with the relevant passages: Acts 6:1-7, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

If you were to quickly look over the books written on the subject of the deacon, you would find that most of them have something to say about the nature of the office. There’s a good reason for this. Our understanding of how a deacon ought to function is largely dependent on our understanding of the nature of the office. What this means is, if we’re not clear in our understanding of the nature of the office, we cannot know with certainty what deacons are to do. God’s Word gives us everything we need to know about the nature and function of the office in that one word: deacon.

In order to carry on an intelligent and profitable conversation on any subject, we must agree on the definition of the terms we use. Since the study of the nature of the office is critical to our understanding of how the office functions, it seems important that we begin by defining both of these terms. We’ll not only define these terms, but we will also offer what we hope are some helpful illustrations.

We begin with the word nature. According to Webster, nature refers to the “[e]ssential qualities of a thing or person; that which makes it what it is.”1 For instance, the nature of a bird is very different from the nature of a fish. The bird has all the “essential qualities” for flight. These qualities distinguish the bird from other animals. A fish, on the other hand, has a nature suitable for living in water. The fish possesses all the “essential qualities” for aquatic life but not flight. Neither would live very long if they tried to function in a way that is not agreeable to their nature. The point we’re making is that nature determines how something or someone will function or behave.

Let’s shift our attention to the word function. Webster defines function as “performing, doing, executing . . . anything.” He also refers to function as a “discharge; performance; as the function of a calling or office.”2 Implied in the word function, then, is the notion that certain specific duties must be performed in order to faithfully carry out the responsibilities of a calling or office.

This relationship between nature and function is biblically illustrated in what is referred to as human nature. Take sin, for instance. Why does every human sin? We all sin because we have a sinful nature. No one has to be taught to sin; it is in our nature to do so. Meaning that, one of the “essential qualities” of being human is that our sinful nature causes us to behave as rebels against God and serve ourselves. Only God’s grace can set us free from the bondage of our old corrupt nature and enable us to behave, or function, with a new nature that takes on the image of God’s Son.3

Thinking of the relationship between nature and behavior (function), one of our all-time favorite books is John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. As you read this allegory of the Christian life, you soon discover Bunyan’s keen insight into human nature. He insightfully illustrates the inseparable link between nature and behavior through the names he gives the leading characters.

Bunyan gives the characters names like “Christian,” “Hopeful,” “Talkative,” “Pliable,” and “Obstinate.” These names were intentionally chosen to reveal the nature of the characters in his story. By naming a character “Pliable,” we can be sure this person will cave in under pressure, which he does of course. The same is true when we read about “Obstinate.” He is stubborn and unyielding even in the face of reason. Bunyan captures a character’s most dominant trait (essential characteristic) in a single word—their name—and we not only understand their behavior, we could have predicted it as well. How? Experience! We know that an individual’s nature (talkative, pliable, stubborn, hopeful, etc.) is a good predictor of behavior.

In case we’ve lost you, what does all of this discussion on birds, fish, human personality, and characters in Bunyan’s story have in common with the office of the deacon? The bottom line is this: nature determines function.

This is a critical point. If we can determine the nature of the office or the essential characteristic of what it means to be a deacon, then we can also determine how a deacon is to function, those specific duties that must be completed.

Everything we need to know about the nature and function of the office is contained in that one word: deacon. And perhaps most importantly, if a deacon fails to function according to the nature of the office, he will fail to faithfully execute and fulfill God’s intention for the office.

Having defined both nature and function, we are now ready to think about the term deacon. To provide a framework for our study, we will look at this word through four lenses. These lenses are just a tool to help us organize the material and focus on essential information.

Before we look through the lenses, we want to make it clear where this investigation is going. The goal is to emphasize a vital truth that can easily be overlooked, which is, deacons are servants (nature), and God’s original intention for the office is that of service (function).

We hope the following lenses will make this truth clear.

FIRST LENS: Their Name

Under this lens, we take a closer look at the word deacon. If we are to understand God’s intention for the office of the deacon, it is essential that we focus our attention on the name God chose for both the office and the person who holds the office. Whatever conclusions we reach concerning this office, they must agree with the meaning of the word. In this case, it’s the inspired word deacon.

God frequently chose names for the purpose of clarifying the essential characteristics (nature) and the resulting behavior (function) of the person holding the name. We’ll offer a few examples.

First, consider the word angel. This name is given to the spirit beings created by God. In both Hebrew and Greek, the word means “a messenger.”4 God gave them a name that is translated “angel” to describe their essential characteristic (nature), which is manifested in their behavior (function). They are messengers of God.

Another example is found in the names God gave to one of the officers in the church: the Pastor. Several Greek words are used to describe both the office and the officer. The English word bishop, episkopos in the Greek,5 conveys both the nature and necessary function of those who hold this office. This name tells us that he is to be “overseer, or superintendent.”6 W. E. Vine...