The Recognition Of Ministers (Deacons)

by Dorricott, J. | Category: General | Jul 1954

We now come to the recognition of ministers or deacons by overseers and the church viewed locally as given in 1 Timothy 3. and Philippians 1.1. We know that a man's gift maketh room for him (Proverbs 18.16), and ministers are those that should possess Christgiven gifts (Ephesians 4.1; 1 Corinthians 12.; Romans 12.). But it is one thing to possess a gift for public ministry or other services and quite another to have a truly spiritual character and spiritual qualifications. Therefore those envisaged in 1 Timothy 3. must be proved brethren as to spiritual fitness, to stand before the assembly as ministers or deacons.

The deacons of 1 Timothy 3., as seen from verses 9, 13, appear to be ministers of the Word that are contemplated, but Romans 12.7 appears to have a wider application ("... or service, let us give ourselves to our service").

The proving of 1 Timothy 3., rests with the overseers. The brother called of God to do service in an assembly will be manifested, and overseers should watch lovingly, sympathetically, and give all encouragement possible in order that they can commend him to fellow-servants. If there is to be a working together in fellowship and harmony there must be association and conferring together. The brother should be presented to the assembly as a proved brother and an approved. associate with other ministers.

Is there any pattern? We gather that there is. Let us take Philippians 1.1 : "To all the saints which are in Philippi with (in conjunction with) the overseers and deacons (ministers)." Here we see three distinct classes of persons to whom this letter was addressed. (1) Saints. Were they a recognized company? Was there not a time when each one separately was approved and welcomed as an addition to the Church? Were their names not placed on the assembly roll? Would they not know this letter was for them? (2) The letter is also addressed to the overseers. Were they not, as to their pastoral care, a distinct company of recognized brethren for this service ? Were they not addressed as such in this letter? Could they not be called for as a company of elders? See Acts 20.17; 14.23. Did they not meet together? (Acts 21.18). Did they not welcome others to work in association with themselves? (3) Deacons (ministers). As the saints and overseers were addressed, so also were the deacons (ministers). They were known brethren in the Church in Philippi, even as the overseers were known. Then note in 1 Timothy 3. Paul writes of brethren who were to be known and recognized for their pastoral care as overseers, and he goes on-" Deacons (ministers) in like manner." The character and qualifications of such were somewhat similar to those of the overseer, and it would be a daring and impossible thing to fit in here every young and immature brother who serves, yet such may be serving as a kind of apprenticeship. Consider the mature, spiritual, qualified servant or minister contemplated in 1 Timothy 3. known as a minister of Christ, even as the overseer is known, only having a different class of services. If an overseer should be welcomed to work in association with his fellows, if this is made known and his name is presented to the Assembly, then the principle that guides for this is exactly the same that guides for local ministers, as witness the address to such known brethren in the Church in Philippi. It is not a matter of being an inferior company of brethren to overseers, but of different services.

Then we see the need and the importance of overseers and ministers coming together periodically to confer together on matters of service. We see how beautifully the overseers and ministers are mentioned jointly in Philippians 1.1. "Overseers and ministers." The same is seen in 1 Timothy 3. This union in service matters is a very blessed thing, though it does not touch pastoral care, rule and government, all of which belong to overseers.

Then we see the necessity for overseers and ministers to be together for the arrangement of the weekly services, for the overseers should not arrange the ministry for the ministers, but with them. Apart from such coming together of overseers and ministers for these and other matters of service the work of the Lord cannot go on in a godly fashion, neither can there be proper harmonious working together. Also let us remember, however perfect our order may be, there can be no power in our service, no true fruitfulness only as we know our own nothingness and emptiness and draw our full supply from the Holy Spirit, and follow the dictates of our glorified Head in heaven.

Dorricott, J. | Jul 1954
General