The Office of Deacon by John Harvey Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 27, 1870

The Office of Deacon.

By John Harvey Waggoner

This is a very important office, the nature and duties of which are not so well understood as they should be. Greenfield says of diakoneo, to minister, i. e. to be an attendant, to afford assistance, or give supplies of necessary things, to minister to another’s necessities; relieve, assist, or supply with the necessaries of life, &c. To fill the office of a deacon, perform the duties of that office. And diakonia, ministry, serving, service, waiting, &c. The word minister in the New Testament has generally the meaning of servant, or to serve. The application of this word to a preacher of the gospel is more modern, except where the idea of service or a servant is attached to the office.

It is well understood that the officers chosen in the early church, as recorded in Acts 6: 1–6, were deacons of the church, though they are not given that title; but they were chosen to serve the church in secular matters in distinction from those who gave themselves to “the ministry of the word.” And these two classes are evidently referred to in 1 Tim. 3: 8–13 where Paul uses the word “deacon” as a title of office.

The importance of the office will best be learned by examining the scriptures which speak of their qualifications. These are the texts already referred to. In Acts 6: 3 it was ordered that they should select for this office seven men,

1. “Of honest report.” They who have to deal with other people’s matters, and especially to disburse the means of others, will be closely watched by both the church and the world. If their lives are not above suspicion they cannot benefit, but will injure the cause of God.

2. “Full of the Holy Ghost.” Not but what the Spirit of God should be found dwelling in every believer, but the deacons should be eminently men of God, spiritually minded, that they may be able to maintain an “honest report,” and faithfully discharge their duties to the pleasure and glory of God.

3. “And wisdom.” Not necessarily of the wisdom of this world. But “wisdom from above,” a sanctified judgment, to manage their affairs with prudence and discretion. This will include a proper capacity to manage temporal matters. A careless, slack, or indolent person could never fill this office worthily.

1 Tim. 3: 8–12, is still more full and explicit in pointing out the qualifications of deacons. It directs that they shall be,

1. “Grave.” This is not opposed to Christian cheerfulness, but it is opposed to lightness and trifling. A trifling spirit would quickly destroy the influence and usefulness of a person on whom such responsibilities were laid.

2. “Not double tongued.” This expression is somewhat singular. James speaks of the “double-minded,” by which is evidently meant the unstable, vacillating; such as could not be depended upon. Greenfield defines the word (dipsuchos), inconstant, fickle. In like manner Paul uses the word dilogos, double-tongued, for one whose speech is not reliable; who does not preserve consistency in conversation. But Greenfield gives a rendering in severe terms: “speaking one thing and meaning another, deceitful in words.” To avoid this, plain words should be plainly spoken; such as convey unmistakably our meaning. To speak in terms which any one can understand, and afterward say, “You mistook me; I did not mean so,” is only deception. If you did not mean so, you should not say so. Always let your words indicate what you mean. This must be the idea of the text.

3. “Not given to much wine.” Temperate, or abstemious.

4. “Not greedy of filthy lucre.” There are very strong reasons why this point should be urged as a qualification of a deacon. A greedy, worldly-minded, penurious man, cannot preserve an “honest report.” Debased as is the world, it still despises such a spirit. But especially is this disposition to be avoided where one has to dispense charities. The case of Judas should be a warning. He thought of the poor, and could plead for them, but only as a pretext for getting money into his own hands. John 12: 4–6. A deacon should be pre-eminently, a man who “deviseth liberal things.” He should not wait till others devise and prompt him; but, like Job, be eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, a father to the poor, and search out the cause which he knows not. Job 29: 15, 16. The poor, the widow and the orphan, are often God’s representatives, to develop and test the liberality of the church.

5. “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” He must not only be wise in understanding, but the truth must have its proper effect on his life. His conscience must be pure. “A good conscience” is both enlightened and sensitive, or tender. Light or knowledge without a tender conscience will puff up, and produce the Pharisee. A tender conscience not enlightened by truth may beget enthusiasm or fanaticism. Conscience, like a clock must be kept wound up and regulated.

6. “Be proved.” A church which elects a deacon before his faithfulness is proved, before they are acquainted with his character and disposition, will be likely to elect trouble and sorrow to themselves. “Look ye out,” said the apostle. Examine, select with care. Let no personal preference prompt you. Take God’s rule and measure by that alone. Serve not yourself, but God.

7. “Ruling their children and their own house well.” This is very essential. A disorderly house, unruly children, will soon destroy a man’s influence. Order is essential to the proper management of the affairs of the church. But if a man cannot maintain order in his own house and in his own matters, how shall he carry order in the matters of the church? It is impossible to act uniformly contrary to our habits. To properly estimate this quality in a deacon, we must consider that the poor often need advice; and quite often need help to get into a position where they may help themselves. A man without experience, without order and method in his own home matters; will not be able to discharge his duties, doing justice both to the church and to the poor.

As is required in Acts 6, they must be full of the Holy Ghost, all will admit that without these the qualifications as given in 1 Tim. 3 will never be reached.

And what a character is here given! How many deacons are there who realize the responsibilities of their office, and the exalted character that should be borne by those who fill it. Too few I fear.

It is adopted by us as a custom, in the absence of an elder to have the deacon take the charge of meetings, and exercise a general care for the church. The propriety of this is easily seen. It must devolve on some one, and if a deacon is near what he should be, he will, beyond all question, be well fitted for the place. Indeed there are few elders whose characters will stand the test of the above scriptures. Few even in the ministry who possess all the qualities there described. Quick perception is frequently accompanied with weak judgment. A man may be learned and fluent of speech, and be utterly wanting in power to rule well. “They that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” And may the Lord help them all.

J. H. WAGGONER.

Boston, Sept. 13.