Elders, Deacons, Christians

Elders, Deacons, Christians

Jarrod M. Jacobs

The qualities of elders and deacons are explicitly described for us in the books of I Timothy and Titus. When churches reach a certain stage of growth, they will look for elders and deacons to serve in the congregation. This is certainly needed and fitting. We read in the Bible that when churches began, they had no elders, but eventually, they appointed elders and deacons (Acts 14:21-23). In so doing, they went from being “unorganized” to being “organized.” These, of course, are men’s terms. The Bible describes a church without elders and deacons as being “lacking” and needing to be “set in order” (Titus 1:5).

 

            The offices of the eldership and deacons are composed of a plurality of men who are thus qualified (Phil. 1:1 Acts 14:23; I Pet. 5:1), and therefore, once organized, a church would not only be satisfied to have men serving but would also be wise to raise more men who might take the place of those who are serving currently. This is because, due to age, health problems (mental and physical), or other realities of life, some men may cease to be elders or deacons after a time. Rather than return to an “unorganized” (lacking) situation, having more men serve or prepare themselves to serve one day is a wise course of action.

 

            This church is in this situation currently. Having three elders and four deacons, we now look to increase their number. How great it is to be in this situation. Many congregations in the world have no one to serve or have only the bare minimum serving and no prospects for anyone else to serve in the near future. Let us thank God for our blessings here (I Thess. 5:18).

 

            Perhaps some reading this article wonder whether he might make a good elder or deacon. What are the qualifications of elders and deacons? On the following page, I have listed the qualifications of elders and deacons. Please read through these lists with Bible-in-hand.

Qualifications Of Elders

1 Timothy 3:1-7                                                    Titus 1:5-9

Blameless	Blameless
Husband of one wife	Husband of one wife
Temperate	Having faithful children
Sober-minded	Not self-willed
Of good behavior	Not quick-tempered
Hospitable	Not given to wine
Able to teach	Not violent
Not given to wine	Not greedy for money
Not violent	Hospitable
Not greedy for money	Lover of good
Gentle	Sober-minded
Not quarrelsome	Just
Not covetous	Holy
One who rules his own house well	Self-controlled
Having his children in submission	Holding fast the faithful word
Not a novice	Having a good testimony among outsiders

 

Qualifications Of Deacons

1 Timothy 3:8-13

Reverent	Not double-tongued
Not given to much wine	Not greedy for money
Holding faith with a pure conscience	Blameless
Husband of one wife	Ruling their children well

 

            Perhaps after reading these lists, one might become intimidated. Sometimes, people treat these qualities as “ideals,” but something that modern man might never reach. I have heard older Christians say that while there used to be qualified men, no one can qualify as an elder now. Is this true? Did God describe qualities for elders and deacons that His children could not attain? If He did, then God set before us an impossible goal and something that would frustrate us as disciples.

 

            To help us understand that the goals of becoming an elder or deacon are attainable by men today, please read the following chart with Bible-in-hand. This chart lists the qualities God expects in elders and deacons again. This time, we compare it to what God expects to see in mature Christians. We will discover that the things named in I Timothy and Titus are qualities that should be seen in all mature male Christians. 

           

Christians Are Instructed To Be

Blameless (Phil. 2:15)	Husband of one wife (Matt. 19:4-6, 9)
Temperate (1 Cor. 9:25)	Sober-minded (1 Pet. 1:13)
Able to teach (2 Tim. 2:24)	Not given to wine (Eph. 5:18; 1 Pet. 4:3)
Hospitable (1 Pet. 4:9)	Good behavior (Jas. 3:13)
Not violent (Gal. 5:20)	Not greedy for money  (1 Tim. 6:8-10)
Gentle (Gal. 5:23)	Not quarrelsome (2 Tim. 2:24)
Not covetous (Col. 3:5)	Rules his own house well  (Eph. 6:1-4)
Not a novice (Heb. 5:12-14)	Good testimony among outsiders (Matt. 5:16)
Not self-willed (Phil. 2:3-4)	Not quick-tempered (Eph. 4:26)
Lover of good (1 Pet. 3:10-11)	Just (Phil. 4:8)
Holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16)	Self-Controlled (2 Pet. 1:6)
Holding fast the word (Phil. 2:16)	Reverent (1 Pet. 2:12)
Not double-tongued (Jas. 3:9-10)	Holding faith with pure conscience (1 Tim. 1:5)

 

            After reading and studying these passages, can we see a connection between a mature Christian and an elder or deacon? Brethren, this is the point! God did not set the qualities of elder or deacon beyond our reach. He set them as a goal of the mature male Christian. Honestly, with the exception of the characteristics of “male,” “married,” and “children,” we see these are qualities every Christian needs to have!

 

            For this reason, let me hasten to add that our sisters in Christ are also responsible here. A man who is a Christian cannot be qualified as an elder or deacon without you, dear sisters (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6))! The godly wife is essential to having a qualified elder or deacon. If you do not believe this, reread those qualities and see that she is his partner (Prov. 31:10-31), helper (Gen. 2:18), and the “key” to his qualifications. Without a godly wife and mother to help “qualify” these ones through support, encouragement, fulfilling her role in the home, and being a godly Christian with a worthy example, the church will be lacking in this crucial area of leadership.

 

            While the announcement was made last week concerning three brethren to be considered in these roles of elder and deacon, remember the announcement also included the encouragement for other men who felt thus qualified to talk with the elders about adding their names. Brethren, are there men you think should be considered for this vital work at Spencer? If so, then please talk with those people and make sure to speak with our elders so that their names might be added to the current list. Having a larger plurality of elders and deacons will solidify and strengthen us. Having several men whom we might see serving for the foreseeable future (Prov. 27:1; Jas. 4:15) is best. Are there more men willing to serve in addition to the three announced? Read and re-read the qualities and then speak up. I don’t know the future, but I know Who holds it, and trusting in God and His providence, I am excited for what is to come in this congregation.

Warning Labels That Are Needed

 “Warning Labels That Are Needed”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

S

everal years ago, the Phillip-Morris company ran some TV ads saying they would no longer use billboards, T-shirts, cartoon characters, etc., to promote their tobacco products. This ad campaign was part of the multi-million dollar tobacco settlement they had reached with several states.

            Before this settlement, tobacco products carried labels that stated explicitly that these products contained the potential to cause cancer in the lungs, lips, gum, mouth, and throat. They could also produce cardiac problems and emphysema. The labels warned that these products could lead to premature births, underweight babies, and other health problems.

            Despite the warnings, people continued to use tobacco products. This is why some made a push for tobacco advertising to be stopped. It was ultimately an effort to keep all people from using tobacco products regardless of their age. The purpose of this article is not to relive the past but to consider the thought process in using warning labels and doing away with advertising harmful products. In considering these things, let us ask why people do not see the need for such warnings in other areas of life. If some recognize the need for warning labels on tobacco products and to hinder their advertising ....

What About In The Area Of Immodesty?

            Immodesty is a sin that is almost as universally accepted as lying. Yet, the Bible condemns immodesty (as well as lying) and has since the beginning. From the beginning, we see that man and woman were not clothed until “God ... clothed them” (Gen. 3:21). From then until now, God has demanded that people be dressed modestly. Nakedness is proper between a husband and wife in the marriage relationship (Gen. 2:25; Heb. 13:4). Yet, if people were able to recognize and stop tobacco advertising due to its power to persuade, why do they continue to use immodesty as a way to sell their products? The reason is that sex sells, and most are not willing to give up that source of revenue.

            The Bible condemns immodesty, stating that women ought to dress “in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” The NAS says “with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments” (I Tim. 2:9). Of course, one’s mind must first be correct, and then the dress will follow! Peter shows us that the proper way to dress begins with “the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (I Pet. 3:4). Though this command is addressed primarily to women, men must also dress modestly! God has no double standards (Acts 10:34; Eph. 6:9).

            If there are warning labels on tobacco products, then why not warnings concerning immodesty? I assure you that such warnings are already in place and found within the pages of Inspiration! As you view billboards, TV ads, magazine ads, and other media, notice carefully the use of immodestly dressed men and women selling products, and remember these stunts are used to get us to buy their products! If people understand the harm tobacco advertising has on the population, they should also see the harm that advertising with immodestly dressed people has on our society. It is a poor rule that doesn’t work all the time.

What About In The Area Of Drinking?

            Have you ever seen a true beer commercial? I doubt it. Any commercial for alcohol is going to show people having a good time at sophisticated parties or with “buddies” acting silly. Where are the ads showing the man in the gutter with his liquor bottle? Where are the ads showing the man who gets drunk and beats his wife? Or the ads showing the man who commits suicide or perhaps kills others after he has gotten drunk and wrecks his car into another on the road?

            Yes, some warn about not “drinking and driving.” Organizations like MADD, SADD, and others promote a message of not drinking excessively. Though the warnings are abundant, isn’t it interesting to note the type of ads that are used in the media? Just as with their use of immodestly dressed people, ads today slant the use of alcohol until people think that drinking is what all “adults” do. Is it any wonder we have so many teenage alcoholics today? They are imitating what they think “all adults” do! What ought to be evident to us is that the sin of immodesty and drinking often go hand-in-hand!

            Some try to soothe their consciences by saying they merely drank one drink, or only drink on “social occasions.” The truth is that consuming alcohol in any quantity is wrong in the sight of God. Peter said, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” (I Pet. 4:1-4).

            In these sins mentioned, notice that Peter discusses some who were engaging in: “excess of wine” (drunkenness, Strong’s), “revellings” (carousal, letting loose, Strong’s), and “banquetings” (drinking parties, NKJ, NAS). Therefore, in whatever stage of drinking one might engage, from the “social drinker” to the falling-down drunk, Peter showed that it is sin, and in the same category as lasciviousness, lusts, abominable idolatries, and excess of riot!

            Let us realize how dangerous it is to drink alcohol and stay as far away from it as possible!

What About In The Area Of The Music Or Shows We Watch?

            In 1992, Doug Stone sang a song suggesting there needs to be warning labels on sad country songs. The reason he gave was because they made you feel worse when you were already sad. One line of the song was, “They warned me about cigarettes, whiskey, and beer. No one ever warned me about the music I hear...” While that was a cute line in the song, I suggest that a deeper meaning can be applied to those words. Consider what is on the radio, the TV, streaming shows, the computer, etc. Do you think our Lord would be watching some of the things we watch or listening to some of the songs we listen to? There are some songs with terrible language and TV shows with the same. No, this is not an indictment of every TV show or song, but it is clear that there are songs and shows unsuitable for public consumption. It seems that the passage of time only brings worse shows and lyrics. Many times, these shows and songs glamorize the very sins we have addressed in this article: immodesty, drinking, smoking, and foul language. There are songs and TV shows which glamorize murder, rape, and similar things, which I hope we understand are sins as well!

            Let us remember that Paul said, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). Thinking on proper things results in proper actions. Solomon said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). We must guard our hearts. It is a fact that some of the things that are broadcast are destroying the very thing we are trying to protect — our hearts and the hearts of our children, for whom we are responsible before God! How can we justify as “entertainment” what God condemns in real life?

Conclusion

            If people can see how ads on T-shirts and cartoon characters can be enticing to get someone (especially the young) to smoke cigarettes, why not be consistent and see the danger these other sins are presenting in the lives of our children as well? Lest I be misunderstood, I am not trying to lobby for some government body to do this. I don’t think that is needed. Instead, what is needed is a return to the principles laid out in the Bible and a return to common sense. Government is not the answer to our problems; Christ is! God’s word is truth (Jn. 17:17), and when we follow it, we will have the truth which makes us free (Jn. 8:32)!

            Let us return to a spiritual mindset, wanting to live closer to God. Let us realize that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world (Heb. 11:13) and have nothing to do with the devices of Satan that permeate society. (Read: II Cor. 6:17)