Qualifications for Deacons
The qualifications for deacons are found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Male deacons are to be: men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to
much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must first be tested; then let
them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Paul goes on to add that these male deacons must be the husbands of only one wife,
and good managers of their households (1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12).
Female deacons are to be: dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things (1 Timothy 3:11).
Female Deacons
We realize that in Baptist life the role of deacon has often evolved into a type of governing board that provides leadership along with the
pastor(s). As the plurality of elders has been forsaken in many churches, deacons have become those who function like elders in that they
are the primary guiding body for a church. Because of this, many Baptist churches have assumed that only men should fill the office of
deacon. We believe that this decision is not grounded in sound Biblical exegesis, but instead results from a misunderstanding of the role
of deacon in general.
As we study the New Testament qualifications for deacon, we find 6 reasons why we believe women should serve in the office of deacon:
(1) In 1 Timothy 3:11, the use of
likewise argues powerfully for seeing women deacons as a third group of those who fill the
offices of the church in addition to elders and male deacons.
(2) In 1 Timothy 3:11, there is no possessive pronoun or definite article connecting these women to male deacons. These women are not
called
their wives or
the wives of male deacons.
(3) In 1 Timothy 3:11, Paul uses a common word for
women that does not necessarily mean these are the wives of male deacons (even
though many Bible translations make that assumption). Paul does not use the term
deaconess because no such word existed in the
Greek language until after he wrote to Timothy. Therefore, Paul simply refers to these individuals as women deacons.
(4) In 1 Timothy 3, Paul listed no qualifications for elders’ wives, so why would he do so for only for deacons' wives?
(5) The qualifications for female deacons parallel those given for male deacons indicating that Paul has another group of deacons in mind
here and that he is not just listing general Christian qualities that he desires wives of deacons to possess.
(6) When deacons are clearly distinguished from elders, deacons never function as a governing board within the church; nor are they required
to exert spiritual authority through teaching. Therefore, nothing that Paul forbids women to do in 1 Timothy 2:12 is involved in serving as
a deacon.
Appointing and Organizing Deacons
When choosing prototype deacons in Acts 6, it was the elders (here called Apostles) who chose the number of deacons and determined their
specific tasks. It was the elders who explained the qualifications for those who would serve and then the people chose the individuals. Once
chosen by the congregation and approved by the elders, the elders set them apart for service. We find that deacons serve at the
pleasure of both the congregation and the elders.
Beyond the example of Acts 6, the New Testament does not provide many specifics on appointing, organizing or utilizing deacons. Under the
supervision of its elders and with the approval of its members, each local church can appoint as many deacons as it likes, organize them as
best suits its needs and utilize them in the way that most effectively meets the practical needs of its membership.
Conclusion
What we observe from both the history of the Church as revealed in Acts and the instructions to the Church given through the Apostles is
that the work of deacons is practical in nature. Their work is primarily designed to relieve the elders from being overburdened so that
proper time can be given to teaching, praying and oversight of the local church. Elders have been given the responsibility to rule and
deacons have been given the responsibility to serve in order that God's people may be united under the authority of Christ and His word.
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