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The Church

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 8, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 36.

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The Church

By Allen Moon

Instruction Pertaining to the Duties and Responsibilities of Officers and Members

A Good Deacon

The term “deacon” comes from the word diakonos in the Greek, and means ministrant, or one who ministers.
The character and qualifications of the men to be chosen to serve as deacons are clearly outlined in the New Testament; but as to the duties of these officers, there is only a partial inference contained in a single passage.
It appears that the apostles, in the beginning, assumed the responsibility of the ministry both of the Word of God and the temporal things of the church. But they soon discovered that the two pertained to different classes of ministrants, and that they had failed because of the attempt to do double work. So we read that the Grecian Jews complained “because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” Acts 6: 1. It was, therefore, to provide for proper ministration that the seven ministrants were appointed, or ordained, over the business of the church. Acts 6: 3.
Further than this, we are entirely dependent upon a knowledge of God’s plan of organization in the Hebrew church for information as to the duties of this office.
In the Hebrew church, all offerings to the cause of God, as well as the tithe, were regarded as sacred, and could be handled only by consecrated persons. Some of them were special tithe-gatherers. “And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the first-fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.” Neh. 12:44.
The word “appoint” in this text is the same as that translated “ordain” in the New Testament. Those chosen were ordained because of their faithfulness: “And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.” Neh. 13:13.
The above shows that they were not only tithe-gatherers, but they made distribution to their brethren, and were, therefore, ministers to their brethren in temporal things. In other words, they were deacons of the church.
The men were selected from among the Levites because of the sacredness of the office: “For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.” 1 Chron. 9:26.
The treasurers had charge of tithes as well as offerings: “And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully; over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.” 2 Chron. 31:12.
Many texts could be added to those given above, which go to show that the Levites, who represent the ministry, were divided into two classes,—the one serving at the tabernacle as priests, and the other serving wholly about material things.
There is not a word in the New Testament from which it can be inferred that deacons were to have to do with the vessels or elements of the sacrament, which now takes the place of the offerings in the sanctuary. Only by a study of the Jewish system can it be determined that the deacons had the care of the vessels and elements of the ministry.
“And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure-house. For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.” Neh. 10: 38, 39.
This same class of ministrants are under consideration in many scriptures; as, for instance: “And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them. And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale. Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frank-incense, and the spices.” 1 Chron. 9: 27-30.
From the foregoing we learn that the deacons of the church organized in the wilderness had charge of the tithe, both as collectors and distributors; of all offerings and consecrated things; of the sacred vessels of the ministry; and of the preparation of the elements used in the ministry by the priests. They were the custodians of all that pertained to the sacred service.
When the Christian church was organized, no special instruction was required. The apostles were all well informed on the subject; and when the necessity for such an office appeared, they followed the Word of God in the selection of these officers. So in the church of Christ there continued to be recognized the two classes of ministrants,—the one ministering in spiritual things, and the other in temporal things. As in the Jewish church, each was solemnly set apart for the work of his sacred office.
In dealing with this subject it is well to consider the reason for accepting both phases of the duties of the deacon’s office, as set forth in the Scriptures.
ALLEN MOON.