KJV 8 Likewise must the
deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy
of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience. 10 And let
these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon,
being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not
slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the
husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For 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. KJV
NASU 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. 10 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. 12 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. NASU
HCSB 8 Deacons, likewise,
should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of
wine, not
greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear
conscience. 10 And they must also be
tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.
11 Wives, too, must be worthy of
respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. 12
Deacons must be husbands of one wife,
managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For
those who have served well as
deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in
the faith that is in Christ Jesus. HCSB
Introduction
In Baptist
Churches today you will find differences of opinions about the
qualifications for the office of deacon. My interpretation of the
scriptures is based
upon a very conservative base. My starting point is that of a person
who believes
in the inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy of scripture of the
original
autographs, and the care of God through the years.
1. The . .
Manner Of The Deacon. 3:8a,b.c.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not
doubletongued, not given to much wine, . . ."
A. The Manner . . Of Temperament. v 8a
". . . must the deacons be grave,. . ."
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Means Dignity.
Worthy Of Respect
B. The Manner . . Of
Tongue. v 8b
". . . must the deacons be not, . . . not
double-tongued,
Not Hypocritical.
C. The Manner . . Of
Temperance. v 8c
". . . the deacons . . . not given to much wine, . .
."
Not addicted To wine. = Not a
drinker. A total abstainer.
Illustration
The Baptist standard has been total abstinence. Not a drinker of
alcoholic beverages period.
2. The . .
Motivation Of The Deacon. 3:8d
". . . not greedy of filthy lucre; . . ." KJV
". . . or fond of sordid
gain, . . .," NASU
". . . not greedy for money, . . ." HCSB
Illustration
If a deacon has a choice of attending a revival meeting or a meeting
about some get rich scheme, he needs
to be in the revival.
3.
The . . Mystery Of The Faith and the Deacon. 3:9
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience.
The term "The Faith" Usually means The New Testament
Doctrine.
Faith with out the article "The" may just refer to
our personal experience of Faith.
Illustration
Deacons need to know what it means to be a Baptist. We do have some
distinctives.
1. Our belief about Salvation is different. It Is Grace Alone.
2. Our belief about Baptism is different. It Is
Believers Baptism. It is a Church Ordinance,n nnot an individual ordinance.
3. . Our belief about Eternal Life
is different.
4. Our
belief about Church Government is different.
5. Do You
Know why some so called Baptist can join the Methodist Church? Because
they
are not Baptist.
I am in favor of Baptist Being Baptist, and knowing why they
are Baptist.
Be Strong In Bible Principals and
Your Baptist beliefs base on the Bible.
4.
The . . Modeling Lifestyle Of The Deacon. 3:10
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10 And let these also first be proved; then let
them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
A. Deacons Need To Be Men Of
Example.
10 And let these also first
be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Proven In The Church.
Proven In The
Community.
No Blame, or legitimate finger
pointing.
5. The . .
Marriage Of The Deacon. 3:11
11 Even so must their wives be
grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
A. Wives of the Deacons Need To Be Similar In
Lifestyleand demeanor. Not the office of a Deaconess, but a deacon's wife.
B. The Old time way
of interpretation does not need changing.
C. I do not believe this
eliminates a Single Deacon.
6. The . .
Management Of The Deacon. 3:12
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife,
ruling their children and their own houses well.
A. The Phrase: the husbands
of one wife,
Means The Deacon Is To Be a One
Woman Man. Not a
Flirt.
1. Not A Divorced Man.
a. This Has
Been The Long Time Standing Interpretation Of This Verse.
b. No New Skills to change this
interpretation.
c. Not
Referring To Polygamy.
1) Jews at
this time did not have multiple wives.
2) Greeks Did Not Practice Polygamy.
B. The Phrase: Ruling their
children and their own houses well.
7. The . .
Medals Of The Deacon. 3:13
13 For 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. KJV
