BIBLICAL TEACHING ON THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH

1Tim 3:1-13 (In the light of the forthcoming election of additional elders and deacons this coming Oc. 25,  herewith is the summary of my message last Sept 13, 2009,  Dr. Nomer Bernardino)

Introduction: Who are the Leaders in the Early Church?  In Eph 4:11-12  we are told that God gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors (Greek - poimenas) and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ . However in 1Pet 5:1-2 they are called elders (Greek - presbuterous) whose function is to shepherd the flock of God (cf. Acts 14:23).  In Phil 1:1, there are also overseers (Greek - episkopois -1 Tim 3:1-2) and deacons (Greek - diakonois- 1Tim 3:8). The apostle Paul seemed to use the word elder (the position, see Acts 14:23) and overseer (function) interchangeably in Titus 1:5,7 and pastor (function) in 1Pet 5:1-2. 

I. THE MINISTRY OF ELDERS – The basic functions of the elders are 1. To lead or oversee the church (Acts 11:30; 15:2,4,6,22,23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 1Tim 5:17; 1Pet 5), 2. To provide pastoral care by  teaching them sound doctrine and protecting them from false teachers and teaching, prayer, counseling, if necessary correcting, disciplining and restoring them, as well as praying for the sick (James 5:14-15).

The basic qualifications of elders are sound personal (1Tim 3:2-3; Tit 1:5-9), family (1Tim 3:2,4-5), inside and outside church testimony (1Tim 3:2,6-7). They must be able to teach (1Tim 3:2; Tit 1:9-11). Jesus is the picture of an ideal elder (Lk 4:31-32; John 1:17; 17:9; 13:1-10)

II. THE MINISTRY OF DEACONS -  The word deacon comes from the Greek Noun "DIAKONIA."  It is a general word meaning service or ministry (Acts 1:17,25; 6:4; 20:24; 21:19. . .) We find the angel (Mat 4:11; Mk 1:13), Simon's mother-in-law (Mat 8:5; Mk 1:31; Lk 4:39) and the women (Mt 27:55; Mk 15:41) "ministering" to Jesus; Timothy and Erastus ministered to Paul (Acts 19:22), and the angels serving God's people (Heb 1:14). While the noun form is not used in Acts 6:1-6, where people were appointed to complement the work of the apostles,  the verb form is used in v.1,2,4. 

The basic functions of the deacons are – 1. Extend the service of mercy and compassion (Gal 6:2,10; cf. Exodus 23:6-12; Deut 14:28-29; 15:1-11; 24:19-22; Acts 11:27-30; Rom 15:22-27; 2Cor 8:1-5). This includes visiting the sick, providing needs of the poor, counseling the distressed, serving people with special needs such as the widows, orphans, unwed mothers, battered wives, handicapped, the sick, prostitutes, street children, prisoners, drug addicts. (Mat 25:14-30; 1Cor 12:12-31; James 2:14-26) 2. Lead in the service of good stewardship ( Ps 50:10-11; Mat 25:14-30). This includes gathering, recording and distributing gifts and donation (Deut 12:5-18; Mal 3:8; Lk 21:1-4; 2Cor 9:6-15) to support the vision and ministries of the Church; practicing good inventory, use, mobilization and management of resources God has given to the church (Acts 4:32-25; 1Cor 12:4ff); providing income generation skills and development trainings as well as networking with governmental and non-governmental agencies to help the needy (Lev 25:35-38; Deut 15:7-11; Acts 4:32-35; 1John 3:16-18; cf. Psalm 133:1-3); 4. promoting the cultivation, wise management and protection of natural and environmental resources (Gen 1:28-30; 2:15; Psalm 24:1-2) as well as social justice (Psalm 8; Amos 5:24).

The basic qualifications of deacons are similar to the elders above that they should have sound personal (1Tim 3:8-10), family (1Tim 3:12), inside and outside church testimony. The way they talk is critical in their ministry (1Tim 3:11), they must be tested. Jesus is also the embodiment of an ideal deacon who came to serve and not to be served (Mat 20:28;Mk 10:45; Lk 22:27). Whatever we do, even the simplest thing as giving food or water, clothing, visiting the sick and prisoners, we do to Jesus and will be acknowledged by Him!

Conclusion:  Both Elders and Deacons sense and are committed to uphold the will of God.  The basic requirement for an Elder-Pastor- Bishop is ABILITY TO TEACH the revealed will of God, while the deacons is THE HEART to extend the love of God to others. They will be commended and rewarded by the Chief Shepherd when He comes (1Pet 5:4; 1Tim 3:13).