Qualifications for a deacon.

[Alyssum]

When I read the qualifications for a deacon as spelled out in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 the only thing that isn't clear to me is that a deacon must be "beyond reproach." What does beyond reproach mean in this context?

Also, how is a candidate for deacon to be "tested?"

1 Tim. 3:10 "These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach."

 

[David Pratt]

To Alyssum

Hello, these rules are “Old” but they could still help us to understand why type of church leader He wants. How they apply to the "New" will take careful examination.

Note: the "New" voided the death penalty.


OLD TESTAMENT


Leviticus Chapter 21

1. And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:

2. But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,

3. And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.

4. But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.

5. They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

6. They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.

7. They shall not take a wife that is a harlot, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.

8. Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, am holy.

9. And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the harlot, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.

10. And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head
the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;

11. Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;

12. Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.

13. And he shall take a wife in her virginity.

14. A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.

15. Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.

 

[David Pratt]

NEW TESTAMENT

Titus Chapter 1

4. To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

7. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8. But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

 

[David Pratt]

The best way to understand the selection process is a thorough background check like those trying to work for the C.I.A.

 

[IisJustMe]

When I read the qualifications for a deacon as spelled out in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 the only thing that isn't clear to me is that a deacon must be "beyond reproach." What does beyond reproach mean in this context?

Also, how is a candidate for deacon to be "tested?"

1 Tim. 3:10 "These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach."

I think John Gill's exposition of the verse is right on the mark.

1 Timothy 3:10 - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible, New Testament Commentary