Question: Deacons in Acts 6.1-6?
I received the following question from a reader this week:
I recently read a paper you had written studying in detail the role of elders and deacons in the church. One question I had (for now) is about the reference in Acts 6:1f. If those selected were not in reference to the church’s first deacons, who were they? Our church is really struggling through some of this stuff right now, so I’m really interested to hear your opinion on the subject.
Who are they? We don’t know since NO title is given and I am hesitant to impose a title when one is not found in Scripture. In American church culture we are often hung up (at least I often am) on titles when the New Testament is “hung up” on functions (even when titles are given, by the way!).
They were individuals who were godly and had the confidence of the community that they could do the ministry they were called to do. Isn’t it interesting that two of the seven surface in the next section–Stephen and Philip–passages which show that their ministries extended beyond that of caring for the widows. I find that fascinating. So let’s focus on clear passages which use titles but emphasize their functions and let’s not impose titles on those individuals who are not given them. Luke certainly could have assigned titles (he does elsewhere in Acts–elders/shepherds in Acts 20, prophetesses and prophets in Acts 19, etc.). Hope this helps.
Technorati Tags: Bible, interpretation, deacons
Related posts:
Hey Dr. Lowery. Appreciate your comments here and your write-up on the role of Elders and Deacons you published a few years ago. It has been particularly instructive in some of the same struggles we have gone through over the last few weeks. i am reminded of a statement you made a few years ago: “You can play most anything in a church body…but you better not touch their structure. You start fiddling around with structure and your looking for a new job!”
On another note, I am currently typing up my closing paper for our class on Revelation. I am in a local bakery where there is loud music playing. A young family walked in and both of the little kids immedietly started dancing to the music. We were made to do this! Loving the dance motif more and more…
praying for ya.
marcus