6 MIKE MAZZALONGO Elders Deacons and the Church

6 MIKE MAZZALONGO Elders, Deacons and the Church – Part 1 I Timothy 3: 8 -13

Elders - Review • Qualifications – Mature married men, experienced Christians with virtuous characters who are focused on spiritual things, not worldly things

Elders - Review • Terms – Bishop - Authority – Elder - Maturity – Pastor - Ministry } Same Person

Elders - Review • Work – Guard the flock against false doctrine and promote unity, peace and growth. – Minister to the weak and sick.

Elders - Review • Appointed – Trained and appointed by missionary or evangelist.

THE CHURCH AND ELDERS But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 12 - I Thessalonians 5: 1213

The Church and Elders 1. Appreciate their work

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. - Hebrews 13: 17

The Church and Elders 1. Appreciate their work 2. Submit

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. - Hebrews 13: 7

The Church and Elders 1. Appreciate their work 2. Submit 3. Remember / Imitate

Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 19 - I Timothy 5: 19 -20

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22 Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. 21 - I Timothy 5: 21 -22

The Church and Elders 1. Appreciate their work 2. Submit 3. Remember / Imitate 4. Hold them accountable

How to Hold Accountable: • No gossiping • Two witnesses • One on one • No favoritism • No newbies

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing, ” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages. ” 17 - I Timothy 5: 17 -18

The Church and Elders 1. 2. 3. 4. Appreciate their work Submit Remember / Imitate Hold them accountable 5. Honor them

Qualification + Activity = Continued Service

DEACONS 8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. - I Timothy 3: 8 -9

These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 10 - I Timothy 3: 10 -11

Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 12 - I Timothy 3: 12 -13

Deacons – Word Study • Translated – Homologeo = To declare • Transliterated – Baptizo = Baptize

Deacons – Word Study • Diakonos – Translated = Waiter – Transliterated = Deacon

Greek Words for Those who Served 1. Doulos = War Slave

Greek Words for Those who Served 1. Doulos = War Slave 2. Pais = Child of Slave

Greek Words for Those who Served 1. Doulos = War Slave 2. Pais = Child of Slave 3. Oiketes = Household Servant (maid)

Greek Words for Those who Served 1. Doulos = War Slave 2. Pais = Child of Slave 3. Oiketes = Household Servant (maid) 4. Latreuo = Hired Servant

Greek Words for Those who Served 1. 2. 3. 4. Doulos = War Slave Pais = Child of Slave Oiketes = Household Servant (maid) Latreuo = Hired Servant 5. Hupereteo = Manual Labor / Tradesman / Seaman

Greek Words for Those who Served 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Doulos = War Slave Pais = Child of Slave Oiketes = Household Servant (maid) Latreuo = Hired Servant Hupereteo = Manual Labor / Tradesman / Seaman 6. Leitourgos = Public Servant / Priest / Minister

Greek Words for Those who Served 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Doulos = War Slave Pais = Child of Slave Oiketes = Household Servant (maid) Latreuo = Hired Servant Hupereteo = Manual Labor / Tradesman / Seaman Leitourgos = Public Servant / Priest / Minister 7. Diakonos = Attendant / Waiter

History of Word Diakonos • Meal Attendant – Food service – Loving service – Christian service – Special (appointed) Christian servants

Diakonos - Usage 1. The one serving in the name of Christ was a Diakonos. just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, - Colossians 1: 7

Diakonos - Usage 1. The one serving in the name of Christ was a Diakonos. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; - Romans 16: 1

Diakonos - Usage 1. The one serving in the name of Christ was a Diakonos. 2. The appointed servants, who because of their qualifications, the ministry they fulfilled and the blessing of the elders, serve as appointed servants in an “office” or “ministry. ”

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons… - Philippians 1: 1

All Called, Qualified and Appointed: • Bond Servants – Doulos = Apostles • Saints – Called out = The saved • Overseers – Elders = Appointed leaders • Deacons – Diakonos = Appointed servants

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 11 - Ephesians 4: 11 -12

until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. - Ephesians 4: 13

DEACON Any servant in the church Qualified appointed servants CONTEXT

Elder/Deacon Differences AUTHORITY MINISTRY APPOINTED Elders – given Deacons – not Elders – teach / oversees Deacons – service tasks Elders – by evangelist Deacons – by church / elders / evangelist