Bishops and Deacons
Posted 10/11/2007

It is written in 1 Tim 5:22 “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” This epistle is an admonition to elders and those that ordain ministers of the gospel putting them in remembrance that there are established standards for the ordination of the ministers of God and the elders. And these standards are contained in God’s Word.  But if any elder shall turn away from these standards to ordain other ministers of the gospel, they transgress God’s Word and they shall be partakers of other men’s sins as it is written in 1 Tim 5:22 above. And we know that God shall judge all men according to His written Word (John 12:48), whether a bishop or a deacon, His Word is the standard for all.

Now, the Lord who is the head of the Church and the Chief Shepherd has a purpose for ordaining ministers for His body. The ministers of the gospel are ordained “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”(Eph 4:11-16). If the purpose of ministers is the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, and for the edifying of the body so that the body of Christ will come to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of the Son of God and unto a perfect man, and come to the fullness measure of the stature of Christ, how can little children, i.e. those who are not able to use strong meat, because they have not by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil, who have not yet exercised themselves unto godliness or still yoke with the world and the lust thereof be able to minister to the body of Christ so as to bring her into her purpose? The ministers of the gospel and the elders need to take heed to obey God’s word in ordaining other ministers. For if they ordain someone that will cause the flock to stumble, and then they also will partake of their sins. This is one reason for the lukewarmness and vain worship that goes on in some churches these last days, wherein ministers are teaching for doctrine the commandments of men as the Lord has declared it: their worship is in vain, for their draw nigh unto the Lord with their mouth, and honoureth the Lord with their lips; but their heart is far from Him. (Matt 15:8-9). We have written this epistle to you to put you all in remembrance of this word.

Who is a bishop and who is a deacon? A bishop is a preaching elder. The Greek word is episkopos. It is translated as overseer in Acts 20:28 but bishop in Phil 1:1, 1 Tim 3:2, Tit 1:7, and 1 Pet 2:25. If a bishop is a preaching elder, who then is an elder? In the early church, elders were the ministers and deacons i.e. preaching and business elders of the local churches (Acts 11:30, 14:23, 16:4, 20:17, 28, 21:18, 1 Tim 5:17, Tit 1:5, James 5:14). The Apostles of the Lord in those days were elders (Acts 11:30, 1 Pet 5:1, 2) but all elders were not apostles. (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 16:4). The preaching elders were the bishops and the business elders were the deacons. Both were ordained by prayer and fasting (Acts 14:23), and sometimes laying of hands to designate them to the office (Acts 6:6) to oversee and feed the church of God. Bishops and presbyters were also the same in those days. Bishops are primarily responsible for ministering the Word while deacons minister material things and see to the welfare of the church.

Requirements for Bishops

  1. Blameless in conduct. Greek word is anepileptos (1 Tim 3:2, 5:7; 6:14).
  2. Husband of one wife i.e. no polygamist. One could be a bishop without a wife, as Apostle Paul (1 Corinth 9:5)
  3. Vigilant. Greek word is nephalios i.e.drinking no wine; sober. It is translated vigilant in 1 Tim 3:2; and sober in 1 Tim 3:11 and Tit 2:2.
  4. Sober. Greek word is sophron, of sound mind; discreet; prudent; moderate; self-controlled; temperate. It is translated sober in 1 Tim 3:2 and Tit 1:8; temperate in Tit 2:2 and discreet in Tit 2:5)
  5. Of good behavior. Greek word is kosmios.
  6. Given to hospitality. Greek word is philozenon, lover of strangers
  7. Apt to teach. Greek word is didaktikos, capable of teaching (1 Tim 3:2).
  8. Not given to wine. Greek word is paroinos, a winebibber (1 Tim 3:2, Tit 1:7)
  9. No striker. Greek word is plektes, not quarrelsome; one not ready to strike back at those who displease him; no persecutor of those who differ with him.
  10. Not greedy of filthy lucre. Greek word is aischrokerde, not desirous of base gain; not using wrong methods to raise money to increase his own income (1 Tim 3:3, 8; Tit 1:7)
  11. Patient. Greek word is epieikes, meek and gentle
  12. Not a brawler. Greek word is amachos, not contentious, but quiet and peaceable (1 Tim 3:2, Tit 3:2)
  13. Not covetous. Greek word is aphilarguros, not a lover of money; not desiring the office for the sake of personal gain.
  14. Ruler of His own house, not by hardness and tyranny, but with honesty
  15. Not a novice. Greek word is neophuton, new convert to the faith.
  16. Of a good report from outsiders

Requirements for Deacons

  1. Grave (1 Tim 3:8). Greek word is semnos. It is translated grave in 1 Tim 3:4 and Titus 2:2 and honest in Phil. 4:8
  2. Not double tongued (1 Tim 3:8). Greek word is dilogos, liars; saying different things to different people on the same subject.
  3. Not given to much wine (1 Tim 3:8) even unfermented (in the cluster; Isaiah 65:8)
  4. Not greedy for filthy lucre
  5. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience (1 Tim 3:9). They must maintain a good conscience and be able to demonstrate the mysterious power of faith (Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; 16:17-18)
  6. Let them be proved (1 Tim 3:10). The same as not a new convert. Let them be tested and proved worthy of the office and able to keep themselves from being lifted up in pride and falling in the same manner Satan did
  7. Blameless. Greek word is anegkletos They must be free from evil and reproach
  8. Their wives must meet certain qualifications (1 Tim 3:11)
  9. Each, the husband of one wife (1 Tim 3:12). No polygamist.
  10. Each, the ruler of his own house (1 Tim 3:12), as required of bishops

Are you a minister or an elder? Take heed to these words and practice them. Ordain ministers according to what is written in the Scripture of truth, for the foundation of God stands sure having this seal. Therefore let every man that name the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Peace be to you all. Maranatha.