Dear BPCWAians, This week, we continue to look at God’s requirements for Deacons as revealed in His Word. These are based upon the spiritual requirements found in 1 Tim 3:9-12.
1 Timothy 3:9-12 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience – Deacons must be well instructed in the system of the Christian faith in God’s Word and be able to defend it. Moreover, the beliefs he holds must be seen to control every aspect of his life. And to friend or foe, the Deacon must possess unwavering convictions and be willing to stand up for what is Biblically right, even if he stands to lose out in votes or in friendships for doing what is right by God’s standards. Because one is standing for Office in a BP church, therefore one must be absolutely true to what they profess as their convictions according the BP distinctives and practices. This is essential both in private conscience and public declaration. None should stand for Office if he is not fully convicted of the church’s beliefs. To cast doubt on our beliefs and practices will inevitably create disunity in our midst. It is for this reason that the proposal form for nomination to Session includes a section that requires them to pledge before God and man their convictions and doctrinal position. As far as man can assess, we must be sure that every leader stands with us, and not merely pays lip service in order to hold office.
First Proved, and Proven blameless– The Deacon must have been tested and proven in faith and character. So, before voting, the church member must observe the Deacon’s life and practices, inside and outside of the church. Fundamental to proving is the test of his track record, ie whether he consistently lives by what he professes in faith, in his walk, in his service. In the matter of doctrines, he should have been proven not to promote nor lend his support to doctrines, sermons, materials or institutions whose teachings are contrary the Bible or contrary to our system of beliefs. Does he stand squarely with us in his doctrines? Deacons help to execute the Board’s decisions. When carrying out unpopular but biblically necessary directions, he does not “pass the buck” or procrastinate to do it because he doesn’t want to be seen as “the bad guy”. He readily and courageously does so because of his convictions. In his spiritual walk, does he have a godly character, one that is grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, and not greedy of filthy lucre? Does he obey God’s commandments at all costs and practice Biblical separation in his public and private life? After his salvation, have there been any serious sins committed that would disqualify him, causing criticism to this church Office in the eyes of the world? The next area to prove is that of his service. Since the office of a Deacon is that of service, this person should have been serving in church, and shown himself able to serve effectively for the Lord. A true Deacon serves with diligence and fervency, not because he is in the Office of a Deacon, but for the Lord whom he serves. Hence, we must not choose based upon a hope or anticipation that he might be able to serve well when he becomes a Deacon. None should be asked to be a Deacon in order “to encourage one to serve”. After all, haven’t we seen many who were fervent in service during their youth or university days but were later drawn to materialism once they start earning their own living; or backslide after marriage or after having children because they were overtaken with “work and family pressures”?
Husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well – Deacons must not be flirts, but must be faithful to his wife. Also, before they can be a leader in the church, they must first prove themselves to have ruled their homes well. He must be able to rule his children. If his children are unruly, ill disciplined, and disobedient, then he fails God’s requirements. In addition, the man must fulfil his biblical role to be the head of his wife. He must be able to lead his wife to obey and submit to his headship. Furthermore, as the Bible teaches, the Deacon’s role is to “stand before” his house. If his wife bosses him around, leads in spiritual decisions, and he has to listen to her and to fulfil her pleasure, then he is not able to rule his household as God expects. He must fulfil his Scriptural role as a husband, but his wife is not his priority – God is first in his life. This also means that he is active in leading and teaching his wife and children spiritually. Hence, it is often deemed prudent not to appoint an unmarried man yet, as this part is not tested. Sometimes, what seemed to be a God fearing man when single has turned out instead to be a wife fearing man. Let the man first be proven to demonstrate that he is a man that will lead his house well, as the Bible commands. This tells us that the children and wife of a man can have significant impact on a man’s entering this Office. The person standing for Deacon must have been observed to be proven to rule his house well. We must have a high regard for the Offices in a church because God expects it.
A man should only get elected when he has already demonstrated in his life the stability of character and service we expect of a Deacon. Do all these seem to be too stringent? Perhaps, by man’s standards. But the Office is not a secular Office. It is a spiritual Church Office. And so, the standards are set by the Head of the Church, our Lord Jesus Christ. After all, these qualities are really simply what the Bible requires of every man before God. In fact, as Christians, this should not only be the standard for the leaders of the church, but for every Christian. But any who take hold or take up this Office are expected to be proven to be so first. May God raise leaders in BPCWA that will obey, fear and serve Him and His people here.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Yours in our Lord’s service
Pastor