I am not sure of the point you are making. If you make a list of every
requiement for a "deacon" and a "Bishop" it seems the list for deacon is
higher. JGR
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carlo Rose" <rosec007@...>
To: <soundofgrace@...>
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 7:55 PM
Subject: Re: [soundofgrace] Acts 6 and deacons
> JGR wrote: "I personally believe we should consider every person who
functions in a specific ministry or service in the church as a "deacon" or
"minister." Every Sunday School teacher along with every choir member, and
the person in charge of a food bank, is a "minister." Scripture use of the
word "deacon" simply will not allow for an "office" called Deacon and
another "office" called Minister. "
>
> John, I have something to ask you. We know what the qualifications of
deacons are as laid out in Scripture. Let's set aside, for one moment, what
both of us may believe what a deacon's role or function or whether it should
be an office. Here are the qualifications of deacon from Timothy:
>
> 1. Deacons must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to
much wine for fond of sordid gain. Okay...probably, behaviors that all
Christians should be exhibiting.
>
> 2. Deacons must be beyond approach. Whoa! Now, we're getting in touchy
areas. You know, David, was a man of God, but you know, he was not
qualified to be pastor or deacon. Quite amazing. If we take your
position, then every man and woman who wants to serve in the above manner
you listed, must be beyond reproach. This is not a reality.
>
> 3. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicous gossips, but
temperate, faithful in all things. Okay, I think these are behaviors that
God's people should practice if they want to serve in any capacity or should
be practicing if they are Christians.
>
> 4. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of
their children and their own households. Whoa! Unfortunately, not a reality
for a percentage of the saints. Sometime the fault of the men, sometimes,
beyond the their control. What you are advocating is that every one who
wants to serve in the above manner you listed above, cannot have had more
than one wife, and good managers of children and their own households.
Hmmm...
>
> There are also some other things mentioned in Titus e.g., like they must
be pure in doctrine.
>
> Setting aside, I believe the Scriptures to be quite clear, in my view,
of advocating an office for deacon, in order for a person to serve in the
capacity that you mentioned above, and in capacities that you did not
mention, every single person would have to fit the qualifications above.
Are you advocating that one who wants to serve must fit the qualifications
above?
>
> Carlo
>
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