Kingdom Deacons
“... those who have served well as Servants obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 3’13.
SERVANTS
"Servant" is a word rarely used in today's world. Although there are such well-known people as "civil servants"! On the other hand, the word "deacon" is a familiar word among church people. So what?
The point is that the New Testament Greek word deacon, actually means servant. Nevertheless, servant is what can be found in most bible translations. That's because the Greek word has been "anglicised". The Greek word that translates to servant is diakonos. Its verb is diakonia which means to serve or service, ministry, minister, distribution (Strong’s Concordance). A Kingdom Servant, then, is one who serves specifically as a Servant. So why was it anglicised? Good question!
It's true that all born again Believers are servants in one way or another. Jesus was the ultimate example of the servant disposition. He said: “... the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many,” (Matthew 20'28).
The specific ministry of Servant came into being early on in the formation of the Lord's Called-out Ones, who came to be known as the The Way. Initially, there were only elders. But, some time following the Day of Pentecost, a challenging issue came before the apostolic Elders that changed things because ...
"... all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need," Acts 4'33-35.
This resulted in the Apostles being responsible of overseeing this distribution. However, they were overseeing the spiritual growth of all the Believers. Plus, during this time they were constantly in danger of being confronted, persecuted and sometimes imprisoned by the Jewish hierarchy. Hence, the situation was difficult for them to perform.
Things had come to a head because “... there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution," Acts 6’1.
Seemingly the job was not being done properly. The Apostles had to do something about it. They did. As they were led by the Holy Spirit ...
"... the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, 'It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word'".
That “… pleased the whole multitude” and ...
"They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch," Acts 6’2-5.
They made the point that every ministry is basically a spiritual ministry, including the administrative and organisational ones.
While these chosen seven are not named as Servants they were first to be part of God's ordained order (see Kingdom Elders on the Menu).
As time went on, and as many more received the Lord in places near and far away from Jerusalem, the Kingdom order of Elders and Servants was put into place wherever the Called-Out People of The Way lived. And it can be seen throughout the scriptures of Acts 2'1 onwards that to Paul this way is the Holy Spirit's way.
In his letter to the Corinthian Saints he says:
"Therefore, I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every ekklesia, local Body of Christ," 1 Corinthians 4'16-17.
And he affirms it in his letter to the Philippian Believers:
"Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the Saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the Overseers and Servants," ch.1,v1.
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In his letter to Timothy Paul shows that the Servants' ministry is as valuable as the Elder-Overseers. After laying out the kingdom criteria for them he says:
“Likewise Servants must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as servants, being found blameless.
Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let servants be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
For those who have served well as Servants obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 3’8-13.
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For those who have served well as Servants obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 3’8-13.
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