the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Grace for Today
2 Timothy 2:2
‘Faithful men’
Read 1 Timothy 3:1-16
There are but two offices in the New Testament church: elders and deacons.
The word ‘ elders’ refers to those who are the spiritual leaders and teachers of the congregation. The pastor of a church is the presiding elder, or overseer of the congregation. Where there is need for more than one elder in a large assembly, those elders who serve with the pastor must serve in submission to him, as his assistants in the ministry. While it is evident that in the New Testament most of the churches, if not all of them, had more than one elder, it is also evident that only one elder stood as the overseer and spiritual ruler of the congregation. It is not possible for a church to have peace and harmony under the government of a board of elders, or a board of deacons. There can only be one captain on a ship. And there can only be one overseer in a congregation. The spiritual overseer of the church is God’s messenger in that congregation, the pastor. He is not a dictator, lording over God’s people. But a faithful pastor must rule the church of God. He rules the house of God just as a husband rules his household. He rules with love, tenderness and understanding. But he rules firmly for the glory of God and the welfare of God’s people (1 Timothy 3:5; Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17).
Deacons are those men whose responsibility it is to take care of the physical, financial affairs of the congregation. They are to be spiritual men, willing to serve their pastor and church for the glory of Christ. Deacons are to relieve their pastor of all mundane affairs, so that he can give himself exclusively to the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:2-4). The service of a deacon is most honorable and helpful. Faithful deacons take care of the church property, visit the sick, care for the needy and see to it that the needs of the pastor and his family are met. By relieving their pastor of all these cares, the deacons enable him to give his time and attention to study, prayer and the preaching of the gospel of Christ. There are few men so spiritually minded that they are willing to serve as faithful deacons for the gospel’s sake.
