Updated
22 May 20
Is it Scriptural?
Definition
One
who serves the church of God (the believers in Jesus Christ) under
the direction of the pastors/elders.
Scriptures
B1
Romans 16:1-2 WEL I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a
deaconess of the church at Cenchrea, 2 So you may welcome her in the
Lord in a worthy manner as saints and assist her in whatever matter
she has need of you, for she has been a helper to many including me.
B2
Other Scriptures mention deacons but otherwise not much is said. It
is safe to imply the qualifications of deacon to be applied to
deaconess.
Other ancient literature
Even this, they affirmed, they had ceased to do after my
edict by which, in accordance with your instructions, I had forbidden
political associations. Accordingly, I judged it all the more
necessary to find out what the truth was by torturing two female
slaves who were called deaconesses.
B2
Likewise a number of times in the Apostolic
Constitutions as here:
For let the bishop preside over you as one honoured with the
authority of God, which he is to exercise over the clergy, and by
which he is to govern all the people. But let the deacon minister to
him, as Christ does to His Father; and let him serve him unblameably
in all things, as Christ does nothing of Himself, but does always
those things that please His Father. Let also the deaconess be
honoured by you in the place of the Holy Ghost, and not do or say
anything without the deacon; as neither does the Comforter say or do
anything of Himself, but gives glory to Christ by waiting for His
pleasure. And as we cannot believe in Christ without the teaching of
the Spirit, so let not any woman address herself to the deacon or
bishop without the deaconess. (ii 26)
Notes
B1
Duties of deacons/deaconess
C1 A helper for their fellow Christians. Phoebe was a helper to Paul
and the local church. Note that she was of the church, so probably
she was a church recognized church leader.
C2 Assist with financial matters of church, that is, believers.
C3 Assist sick, helpless, homeless, etc.
C4 Teach the Gospel, what we believe (doctrine), and how we should
live (worldview and lifestyle). This is according to Scriptures as
given by Jesus Christ directly or through the Apostles, prophets, and
prophetesses of the New Testament era (only so because the Apostles
could authenticate the teaching because they had personally been
taught by Jesus).
C5 Evangelize (aren't we all?)
B2
Qualifications:
C1 Godly character: 1 Timothy 3:8-12 WEL In the same way, deacons
must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to lots of wine, not
greedy for filthy money, 9 Keeping the mystery of the faith with a
pure conscience. 10 Let these also first be proven, then, if found
blameless, let them have the position of a deacon. 11 In the same
way, women must be dignified, not slanderers, free from the influence
of wine, totally faithful. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife,
managing their children and their own households well.
D1 Dignified, that is, of good character.
D2 Sincerity, that is, not two-faced
D3 Not addicted to alcohol
D4 Not greedy, that is, does not have the love of money
D5 Know, acknowledge, be committed to the truth of Biblical
Christianity as taught by the Lord Jesus
E1 Knowledge of Bible
E2 Knowledge of Theology
E3 Knowledge of Practical Theology
E4 Knowledge of God’s rules in the New Testament
E5 Knowledge of how to live the Christian life
E6 Knowledge of godly counsel
E7 Knowledge of finances
E8 Knowledge of how to study, apply, live, and teach the Bible
E9 Knowledge of the faith in order to defend the faith
D6 Be tested, that is, not a new Christian, but one who has lived the
Christian life for a few years and has faced the trials of life and
remained faithful. The Apostles were with the Lord Jesus for 3 years,
so was Paul.
D7 If married, the spouse must also be committed to Jesus Christ.
E1 Good character,
E2 Not be a gossiper
E3 Sober (not addicted to alcohol or drugs) God wants us to have a
clear mind at all times, so that we will be alert to make good
decisions and to recognize spiritual and physical dangers.
E4 Honest in everything,
E5 Only one spouse
E6 If children, then obedient.
D8 Full of wisdom (not worldly wisdom but Godly wisdom)
C2 Godly wisdom: James 3:17-18 WEL But the wisdom that is from
above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, approachable,
full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and without hypocrisy. 18
Moreover, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who
cultivate peace.
D1 Pure
E1 Pure has the idea of pure in God’s eyes and opinion. Pure is
purged and made clean. The only pure is something that is down by God
alone.
F1 Acts 15:9 NIV He did not discriminate between us and them, for
he purified their hearts by faith.
F2 Hebrews 9:13-14 NRSV For if the blood of goats and bulls,
with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who
have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, 14 how much
more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works
to worship the living God!
E2 It is consistent thinking and acting according to God’s rules. 1
Corinthians 15:58 BSB Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast
and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know
that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
E3 It is a purity of thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.
D2 Peaceful, that is, not a bully or trying to start a fight
D3 Gentle Even when needing to rebuke. The object is to have one see
the error of their ways, repent, and be restored. We must think like
Jesus.
D4 Willingly to yield, instead of being stubborn and pushy for one’s
own thinking.
D5 Compassion, that is showing mercy, not giving what one deserves.
D6 Full of good deeds.
E1 This would be helping the brethren with needs. Some examples would
be moving, house cleaning, mowing, driving to an appointment,
balancing a checkbook, etc. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
describes
their ministry as:
Where do deaconesses serve?
Deaconesses serve primarily in three settings:
Missions — both foreign and domestic;
Congregations — teaching, visiting the sick and imprisoned, or
serving in family or other caring ministry; and
Institutions — serving as chaplains in hospitals, prisons,
retirement communities, and facilities that care for people with
developmental disabilities.
In order for a deaconess to be endorsed as an LCMS institutional
chaplain, she first must complete a master’s degree in theology
along with four units of clinical pastoral education (CPE). As an
institutional chaplain, a deaconess provides valuable spiritual care
to those she encounters, complementing the Word and Sacrament
ministry of an ordained pastor.
E2 Remember the deacons are to be ready for this, too. If they cannot
themselves, they arrange for someone to help.
D7 Free from prejudice. They need to treat all with compassion and
according to God’s standard of loving our neighbor.
D8 Free from hypocrisy
C3 Not having earthly wisdom
D1 James 3:14-16 WEL If you have bitter envying and self-ambition
in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This [kind
of] wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, sensual,
[and] devilish. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there [is] disorder and every evil work.
E1 Jealous (of others in any way but especially abilities, etc.)
E2 Bitterness (long-standing anger may result in bitterness)
E3 Selfish
E4 Arrogant about one’s own wisdom(?) as compared to God’s
wisdom.
E5 Leads to disorder and every kind of evil.
D2 Philippians 3:17-20 GW Brothers and sisters, imitate me, and
pay attention to those who live by the example we have given you.18 I
have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that
many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 In the end they
will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take
pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly
things. 20 We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to
the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior.
E1 Their real god is themselves and pleasure.
E2 Pride of what they should be ashamed of
E3 Thinking of things belonging to this world (power, fame, glory)
C4 Full of the Holy Spirit (that is submitted to Jesus Christ and
willing to obey the Scriptures at all cost).
D1 Full in the sense of the fruit of the Holy Spirit
D2 Full in the sense of dedication to God, His kingdom, and all His
ways (thus God’s character traits, likes and dislikes, attitudes,
desires, etc.)
D3 Full in the sense of ministry effect. Is there just emotional
dedication and change from their ministry, or is there a life
changing dedication and change from their ministry?
Guidelines
B1
Counsel and console
C1 Counsel by the help of the Holy Spirit:
D1 Proverbs 18:4 NLT Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows
from the wise like a bubbling brook.
E1 They know how to listen, ask wise questions, and evaluate the real
intent and problem.
E2 When asked, or occasionally offered, give godly advice.
D2 Proverbs 20:5 GNB A person's thoughts are like water in a deep
well, but someone with insight can draw them out.
D3 Proverbs 8:12-14 NIV I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I
possess knowledge and discretion. 13 To fear the LORD is to hate
evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.
D4 This would include financial, emotional, spiritual, etc.
D5 The so-called Biblical Counseling is abusive. A true
deacon/deaconess will avoid it.
C2 Console
D1 This is prophesied of the Messiah Yeshua, but the Holy Spirit
gives a measure that all of us can do the following. God gives the
grace. A deacon/deaconess will have a greater ministry in this area
because of the graces given by the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 61:1-2 NIV The
Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed
me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from
darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's
favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.
D2 Philemon 1:7 GNB Your love, dear brother, has brought me great
joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of
God's people.
C3 Counsel believers regarding any afflictions, situations,
difficulties, and questions that they may have.
C4 Counsel believers on financial matters that the Bible teaches
about.
B2
Be church administrator, be responsible for church finances, and
other helps in the church.
B3
Work in and for the church/assembly/congregation. Philippians 4:3
NKJV And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who
labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my
fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Objections
B1
No Bible verse explicitly mentions the office of deaconess.
C1 Roman 16:1 is highly suggestive of it, plus verses speaking of
women who have helped in the furtherance of the Gospel. Phoebe is
addressed officially.
C2 The word “servant” used here is diakonos and is used in the
letters that Paul wrote consistently referring to church officials.
C3 The word their is not in the Greek. Likewise, refers to
both a deacon and a deaconess; they are parallel.
B2
The passage in 1 Timothy 3 refers to men only (husbands of one wife).
C1 So? The argument from silence that is, since it is not mentioned
means it is wrong is possible.
C2 Again the word “their” as in “their wives” is not in the
Greek. If it is their wives, then why aren't the wives of elders
mentioned?
C3 Wilbur Pickering notes:
That's what the Text says, just 'women'—no article and no
possessive pronoun. Because Paul returns to the deacons in verse 12,
most versions take the reference here to be to their wives, but the
grammatical construction of verse 11 is parallel to that of verse 8,
which is parallel to verse 2. I take it that the grammar obliges us
to see a third office in the congregation, one filled by
women—deaconesses, or something of the sort. Counseling women can
be dangerous for a man; certain matters are best handled by a mature,
sanctified woman; if she has an official standing in the
congregation, so much the better.
C4 I might add that women do understand women better than men.
B3 1
Timothy 3 was written late in the first century, so there can’t be
deaconesses? Huh?
Articles
B1
Deacons
and deaconesses
by Gregory Brown
B2
This article has much information, but as always beware. Why
Have Women Deacons?
B3
deaconesses
B4
For further reading how the deaconesses minister is here.
Conclusion
B1
Christian women can be deaconesses.
B2
It is practical.
B3
It is spiritual for meeting the needs of the saints.
