A study on elders and deacons

Be slow to appoint elders or deacons. Regarding such, the Bible says let them first be tested-1 Tim 3:10. It is amazing that many ministers of the Gospel do not know what their elders, deacons, music leaders, and other officials in their church really believe in their heart or how they conduct their lives and manage their own households.

This is one reason many churches split. An elder, or deacon, or music director, or other official in the church may disagree with the pastor’s teaching or something he is doing. They may not like their pastor's emphasis on teaching them to be a DOER OF THE WORD. Thus, they begin to cause division within the church. Many times a secret meeting is held. Then others join in. The end result is that they split from their pastor and set up their own church. Then, after a time, the same thing may occur in that church. God’s Word warns: 1 Sam 15:23-FOR REBELLION IS AS THE SIN OF WITCHCRAFT, AND STUBBORNNESS IS AS INIQUITY AND IDOLATRY. Deut 31:27-FOR I KNOW THY REBELLION, AND THY STIFF NECK: BEHOLD, WHILE I AM YET ALIVE WITH YOU THIS DAY, YE HAVE BEEN REBELLIOUS AGAINST THE LORD; AND HOW MUCH MORE AFTER MY DEATH? Neh 9:17-AND REFUSED TO OBEY, NEITHER WERE MINDFUL OF THY WONDERS THAT THOU DIDST AMONG THEM; BUT HARDENED THEIR NECKS, AND IN THEIR REBELLION APPOINTED A CAPTAIN TO RETURN TO THEIR BONDAGE. Pv 17:11-AN EVIL MAN SEEKETH ONLY REBELLION. Jer 29:32-…HE HATH TAUGHT REBELLION AGAINST THE LORD.

Before being appointed to serve as an elder or deacon, a man should be thoroughly questioned on topics such as the Trinity, salvation, Bible prophecy, and many other subjects as well as his own lifestyle. Often-times things are revealed that disqualify a man from being an elder or deacon. Once it has been determined that he adheres to sound biblical doctrine and the fruits of the Spirit, then let him be tested in such an office for a year or so before officially being appointed to such a position. If these things were done, perhaps there would be much less problems and much more love between the brethren in Christ.

AND LET THESE ALSO FIRST BE PROVED; THEN LET THEM USE THE OFFICE OF A DEACON, BEING FOUND BLAMELESS-1 Tim 3:10.

    Above reproach (blameless)1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6,7
    Husband of one wife-1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6
    Vigilant (alert) (concerning the schemes of the devil)-1 Pe 5:8
    Prudent (sober & exercising sound judgment)-1 Tim 3:2
    Respectable (good behavior)-1 Tim 3:2
    Must be hospitable (given to hospitality)-1 Tim 3:2
    A lover of hospitality-Titus 1:8
    Able to teach-1 Tim 3:2
    Not addicted to wine (not given to wine)-1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7
    Gentle and not contentious (no striker)-1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7
    Patient-1 Tim 3:3
    Not a brawler-1 Tim 3:3
    Not self-willed-Titus 1:7
    Not quick-tempered (not easily or soon angry)-Titus 1:7
    Loves what is good (or a lover of good men)-Titus 1:8
    Just-Titus 1:8
    Devout (holy)-Titus 1:8
    Temperate-1 Tim 3:2
    Sober (self-controlled)-1 Pe 5:8; Tit 1:8
    Disciplined-Titus 1:8 NIV
    Not violent-Titus 1:7 NIV
    Not overbearing-Titus 1:7 NIV
    Men of faith (firm in the faith)-James 5:15; 1 Pe 5:9
    An example of faith to the flock-Heb 13:7
    Labour in God’s Word and doctrine-1 Tim 5:17
    An example of Christ to the flock-1 Pe 5:3
    Not a lord over God’s heritage-1 Pe 5:3
    Clothed with humility-1 Pe 5:5
    Subject one to another-1 Pe 5:5
    Not proud-1 Pe 5:5
    Not coveteous-1 Tim 3:3
    Not pursuing dishonest gain-Titus 1:7 NIV
    Free from the love of money—not teaching for filthy lucre-1 Pe 5:2; Not greedy for money-1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7.
    Holding fast the faithful Word (or trustworthy message) as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers (or refute those who oppose it) (sound doctrine)-Titus 1:9.
    Good manager of his household (ruleth well his own house)1 Tim 3:4.
    Keeping his children under control with all dignity-1 Tim 3:4. (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
    If he has children, they must be faithful, not accused of riot or unruly-Titus 1:6; or not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
    Not a new convert-1 Tim 3:6, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
    Good reputation with those outside the church-1 Tim 3:7. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
    Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth-Titus 1:14.
    Not ruining households by teaching things they ought not to teach-Titus 1:11 NIV.
    These have the responsibility to serve by directing and overseeing the church. They are to feed the flock of God with God’s Word willingly, not by constraint, but with a ready or willing mind-ref 1 Pe 5:2; 1 Tim 3:5; 5:17; Heb 13:7, 17.
    Many pastors today are not qualified to be a pastor if examined by God’s Word. Many are blind leaders of the blind and are not afraid to oppose God and His Word, yet they think that they are doing no wrong.

    Men of dignity (or grave) (or worthy of respect)-1 Tim 3:8
    Sincere-1 Tim 3:8 NIV
    Not double-tongued-1 Tim 3:8
    Not addicted to wine-1 Tim 3:8
    Free from the love of money (not greedy of filthy lucre)-1 Tim 3:8
    Not pursuing dishonest gain-1 Tim 3:8 NIV
    Holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience-1 Tim 3:9
    (obedience to Biblical principles)
    Must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience-1 Tim 3:9 NIV
    Must first be tested or proved (men of proven character, above reproach, blameless)-1 Tim 3:10
    If there is nothing against them—let them serve-1 Tim 3:10 NIV
    Their wives must be dignified (or grave), not malicious gossips or slanderers, but temperate (or sober), faithful in all things-1 Tim 3:11.
    Husband of one wife-1 Tim 3:12
    Good manager of his household—ruling their children and their own houses well-1 Tim 3:12, or keeping his children under control with all dignity.
    Deacons have the responsibility of assisting the pastor and taking care of the physical needs of the church.

Mt 20:25-28-BUT JESUS CALLED THEM UNTO HIM, AND SAID, YE KNOW THAT THE PRINCES OF THE GENTILES EXERCISE DOMINION OVER THEM, AND THEY THAT ARE GREAT EXERCISE AUTHORITY UPON THEM. BUT IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU: BUT WHOSOEVER WILL BE GREAT AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE YOUR MINISTER; AND WHOSOEVER WILL BE CHIEF AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE YOUR SERVANT: EVEN AS THE SON OF MAN CAME NOT TO BE MINISTERED UNTO, BUT TO MINISTER, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY.

1 Cor 9:1-22-AM I NOT AN APOSTLE? AM I NOT FREE? HAVE I NOT SEEN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD? ARE NOT YE MY WORK IN THE LORD? IF I BE NOT AN APOSTLE UNTO OTHERS, YET DOUBTLESS I AM TO YOU: FOR THE SEAL OF MINE APOSTLESHIP ARE YE IN THE LORD. MINE ANSWER TO THEM THAT DO EXAMINE ME IS THIS, HAVE WE NOT POWER TO EAT AND TO DRINK? HAVE WE NOT POWER TO LEAD ABOUT A SISTER, A WIFE, AS WELL AS OTHER APOSTLES, AND AS THE BRETHREN OF THE LORD, AND CEPHAS? OR I ONLY AND BARNABAS, HAVE NOT WE POWER TO FORBEAR WORKING? WHO GOETH A WARFARE ANY TIME AT HIS OWN CHARGES? WHO PLANTETH A VINEYARD, AND EATETH NOT OF THE FRUIT THEREOF? OR WHO FEEDETH A FLOCK, AND EATETH NOT OF THE MILK OF THE FLOCK? SAY I THESE THINGS AS A MAN? OR SAITH NOT THE LAW THE SAME ALSO? FOR IT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES, THOU SHALT NOT MUZZLE THE MOUTH OF THE OX THAT TREADETH OUT THE CORN. DOTH GOD TAKE CARE FOR OXEN? OR SAITH HE IT ALTOGETHER FOR OUR SAKES? FOR OUR SAKES, NO DOUBT, THIS IS WRITTEN: THAT HE THAT PLOWETH SHOULD PLOW IN HOPE; AND THAT HE THAT THRESHETH IN HOPE SHOULD BE PARTAKER OF HIS HOPE. IF WE HAVE SOWN UNTO YOU SPIRITUAL THINGS, IS IT A GREAT THING IF WE SHALL REAP YOUR CARNAL THINGS? IF OTHERS BE PARTAKERS OF THIS POWER OVER YOU, ARE NOT WE RATHER? NEVERTHELESS WE HAVE NOT USED THIS POWER; BUT SUFFER ALL THINGS, LEST WE SHOULD HINDER THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. DO YE NOT KNOW THAT THEY WHICH MINISTER ABOUT HOLY THINGS LIVE OF THE THINGS OF THE TEMPLE? AND THEY WHICH WAIT AT THE ALTAR ARE PARTAKERS WITH THE ALTAR? EVEN SO HATH THE LORD ORDAINED THAT THEY WHICH PREACH THE GOSPEL SHOULD LIVE OF THE GOSPEL. BUT I HAVE USED NONE OF THESE THINGS: NEITHER HAVE I WRITTEN THESE THINGS, THAT IT SHOULD BE SO DONE UNTO ME: FOR IT WERE BETTER FOR ME TO DIE, THAN THAT ANY MAN SHOULD MAKE MY GLORYING VOID. FOR THOUGH I PREACH THE GOSPEL, I HAVE NOTHING TO GLORY OF: FOR NECESSITY IS LAID UPON ME; YEA, WOE IS UNTO ME, IF I PREACH NOT THE GOSPEL! FOR IF I DO THIS THING WILLINGLY, I HAVE A REWARD: BUT IF AGAINST MY WILL, A DISPENSATION OF THE GOSPEL IS COMMITTED UNTO ME. WHAT IS MY REWARD THEN? VERILY THAT, WHEN I PREACH THE GOSPEL, I MAY MAKE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST WITHOUT CHARGE, THAT I ABUSE NOT MY POWER IN THE GOSPEL. FOR THOUGH I BE FREE FROM ALL MEN, YET HAVE I MADE MYSELF SERVANT UNTO ALL, THAT I MIGHT GAIN THE MORE. AND UNTO THE JEWS I BECAME AS A JEW, THAT I MIGHT GAIN THE JEWS; TO THEM THAT ARE UNDER THE LAW, AS UNDER THE LAW, THAT I MIGHT GAIN THEM THAT ARE UNDER THE LAW; TO THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT LAW, AS WITHOUT LAW, (BEING NOT WITHOUT LAW TO GOD, BUT UNDER THE LAW TO CHRIST,) THAT I MIGHT GAIN THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT LAW. TO THE WEAK BECAME I AS WEAK, THAT I MIGHT GAIN THE WEAK: I AM MADE ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN, THAT I MIGHT BY ALL MEANS SAVE SOME.

Eph 3:7-8-WHEREOF I WAS MADE A MINISTER, ACCORDING TO THE GIFT OF THE GRACE OF GOD GIVEN UNTO ME BY THE EFFECTUAL WORKING OF HIS POWER. UNTO ME, WHO AM LESS THAN THE LEAST OF ALL SAINTS, IS THIS GRACE GIVEN, THAT I SHOULD PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST;

Eph 4:29-LET NO CORRUPT COMMUNICATION PROCEED OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, BUT THAT WHICH IS GOOD TO THE USE OF EDIFYING, THAT IT MAY MINISTER GRACE UNTO THE HEARERS.

1 Tim 1:4-7-NEITHER GIVE HEED TO FABLES AND ENDLESS GENEALOGIES, WHICH MINISTER QUESTIONS, RATHER THAN GODLY EDIFYING WHICH IS IN FAITH: SO DO. NOW THE END OF THE COMMANDMENT IS CHARITY OUT OF A PURE HEART, AND OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE, AND OF FAITH UNFEIGNED: FROM WHICH SOME HAVING SWERVED HAVE TURNED ASIDE UNTO VAIN JANGLING; DESIRING TO BE TEACHERS OF THE LAW; UNDERSTANDING NEITHER WHAT THEY SAY, NOR WHEREOF THEY AFFIRM.

1 Tim 4:6-7-IF THOU PUT THE BRETHREN IN REMEMBRANCE OF THESE THINGS, THOU SHALT BE A GOOD MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, NOURISHED UP IN THE WORDS OF FAITH AND OF GOOD DOCTRINE, WHEREUNTO THOU HAST ATTAINED. BUT REFUSE PROFANE AND OLD WIVES' FABLES, AND EXERCISE THYSELF RATHER UNTO GODLINESS.

1 Tim 4:12-13-LET NO MAN DESPISE THY YOUTH; BUT BE THOU AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS, IN WORD, IN CONVERSATION, IN CHARITY, IN SPIRIT, IN FAITH, IN PURITY. TILL I COME, GIVE ATTENDANCE TO READING, TO EXHORTATION, TO DOCTRINE.

1 Pe 4:11-19-IF ANY MAN SPEAK, LET HIM SPEAK AS THE ORACLES OF GOD (SPEAK THE WORD); IF ANY MAN MINISTER, LET HIM DO IT AS OF THE ABILITY WHICH GOD GIVETH: THAT GOD IN ALL THINGS MAY BE GLORIFIED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, TO WHOM BE PRAISE AND DOMINION FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN. BELOVED, THINK IT NOT STRANGE CONCERNING THE FIERY TRIAL WHICH IS TO TRY YOU, AS THOUGH SOME STRANGE THING HAPPENED UNTO YOU: BUT REJOICE, INASMUCH AS YE ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS; THAT, WHEN HIS GLORY SHALL BE REVEALED, YE MAY BE GLAD ALSO WITH EXCEEDING JOY. IF YE BE REPROACHED FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, HAPPY ARE YE; FOR THE SPIRIT OF GLORY AND OF GOD RESTETH UPON YOU: ON THEIR PART HE IS EVIL SPOKEN OF, BUT ON YOUR PART HE IS GLORIFIED. BUT LET NONE OF YOU SUFFER AS A MURDERER, OR AS A THIEF, OR AS AN EVILDOER, OR AS A BUSYBODY IN OTHER MEN'S MATTERS. YET IF ANY MAN SUFFER AS A CHRISTIAN, LET HIM NOT BE ASHAMED; BUT LET HIM GLORIFY GOD ON THIS BEHALF. FOR THE TIME IS COME THAT JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD: AND IF IT FIRST BEGIN AT US, WHAT SHALL THE END BE OF THEM THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF GOD? AND IF THE RIGHTEOUS SCARCELY BE SAVED, WHERE SHALL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR? WHEREFORE LET THEM THAT SUFFER ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD COMMIT THE KEEPING OF THEIR SOULS TO HIM IN WELL DOING, AS UNTO A FAITHFUL CREATOR.

2 Tim 4:1-5-I CHARGE THEE THEREFORE BEFORE GOD, AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO SHALL JUDGE THE QUICK AND THE DEAD AT HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM; PREACH THE WORD; BE INSTANT IN SEASON, OUT OF SEASON; REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT WITH ALL LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE. FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE (that time is now); BUT (TO SUIT THEIR OWN DESIRES, THEY WILL GATHER AROUND THEM A GREAT NUMBER OF TEACHERS TO SAY WHAT THEIR ITCHING EARS WANT TO HEAR-NIV). AND THEY SHALL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH, AND SHALL BE TURNED UNTO FABLES (or myths). BUT WATCH THOU IN ALL THINGS, ENDURE AFFLICTIONS, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, MAKE FULL PROOF OF THY MINISTRY.

1 Tim 5:17-LET THE ELDERS THAT RULE WELL BE COUNTED WORTHY OF DOUBLE HONOUR, ESPECIALLY THEY WHO LABOUR IN THE WORD AND DOCTRINE. Study, study, study in humility. Also memorize.

Ro 10:14-15-HOW THEN SHALL THEY CALL ON HIM IN WHOM THEY HAVE NOT BELIEVED? AND HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE IN HIM OF WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH, EXCEPT THEY BE SENT? AS IT IS WRITTEN, HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THEM THAT PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, AND BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!

Regretfully, some of the best comedians in the world are not in Hollywood, but they are preachers in the pulpits. It is written: Pv 24:9-The thought of foolishness is sin.

A good minister should be an example of Christ. He first preaches by example, then he preaches the Word. He should preach SOUND DOCTRINE, not using all sorts of worldly stories about his family, things he did, etc., but using God’s Word and stories from the Bible to draw attention to specific points. Regretfully most people know far more about their minister and his family from his teaching than they know about God.
Ro 10:17-SO THEN FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD. A person cannot build their faith on a minister’s personal stories. They can only build their faith on THE WORD.

Do not neglect teaching on repentance and sin; heaven and hell; the love of God and the fear of God; Bible prophecy and the Revelation; etc. It is written:
Acts 10:42. AND HE COMMANDED US TO PREACH (TO) THE PEOPLE, AND TO TESTIFY THAT IT IS HE WHICH WAS ORDAINED (or appointed) OF GOD TO BE THE JUDGE OF (the) (LIVING) AND (the) DEAD.

    Mt 28:19. GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH (or make disciples of) ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING (or immersing) THEM IN THE NAME (or reality) OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST (or Spirit):
    Mt 28:20. (And) TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE (or obey) ALL THINGS (EVERYTHING) I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: AND, (SURELY) (or remember), I AM (or will be) WITH YOU ALWAYS, (yes), EVEN (TO) THE (very) END OF THE WORLD (or age). AMEN.
    Mk 16:15. AND HE SAID (TO) THEM, GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL (or Good News) TO EVERY CREATURE (or all creation).
    Mk 16:16. HE THAT (BELIEVES) (or trusts) AND IS BAPTIZED (or immersed) SHALL BE SAVED (or he who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved-NASB); BUT HE (WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE) (or does not trust) SHALL BE DAMNED (or condemned).
    Mk 16:17. AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW (or accompany) THEM THAT BELIEVE (or trust); IN MY NAME SHALL THEY (DRIVE) OUT (DEMONS); THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES;
    Mk 16:18. THEY SHALL TAKE (or pick) UP (SNAKES) (with their hands); AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING (or poison), IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM (at all); THEY SHALL (PLACE THEIR) HANDS ON THE SICK (people), AND THEY SHALL RECOVER (or get well).
    Lk 24:47. AND THAT REPENTANCE AND (FORGIVENESS) OF SINS (or repentance leading to forgiveness of sins-JNT) SHOULD BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME AMONG (or to) (people from) ALL NATIONS, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM.
    Lk 24:48. AND (YOU) ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS.

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