Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 61:244 (Oct 1904)
Article: The Diaconate: A New Testament Study
Author: Robert E. Neighbor

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The Diaconate: A New Testament Study

Robert E. Neighbor

The evangelical denominations are not in agreement as to the office and functions of the deacon. This, however, does not indicate the perversity of the theologic mind, but rather the meagerness of the New Testament records in regard to the diaconate and the consequent difficulty in determining the matters variously pertaining to it. In the Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal churches it constitutes the lower of two “orders “in the ministry; and accordingly the deacon, though not ranking as a full “priest,” is, nevertheless, a minister in the sense that he is authorized to preach and is placed in charge of congregations. In the Methodist Episcopal churches he is required to prepare for it by taking a prescribed course of study, and then, after having passed a successful examination, and being also of approved character, he may be formally “ordained “a deacon. In due time he is advanced to the full priesthood by passing an examination in a second course of study, provided there be no bar to his advancement on moral grounds.

In non-episcopal churches, on the other hand (with perhaps the exception of the Lutheran), there is but one “order” in the ministry, and the deacon’s functions are therefore non-ministerial. He does not preach,—or, at least, preaching functions are not regarded as included in his office. Among Presbyterians he has charge of only the temporal and

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secular affairs of the congregation, while in Baptist and Congregational churches he is not restricted to this, but assists the pastor as a sort of qualified adviser in the general supervision of the church’s spiritual interests. He is not, however, a preacher; if at any time he preach, having ability to do so to the edification of the congregation, he is not considered as doing it in virtue of his office as a deacon. In Baptist and Congregational churches, therefore, the deacons collectively constitute a kind of pastor’s cabinet, and divide with him theoretically, at least, the responsibility of the church’s welfare. In practice, however, they sometimes, it must be confessed, add to his responsibility; and since they stand to him in the relation of the many to the one, they not infrequently overrule his larger knowledge and experience by their prejudices and unwisdom, limit his efficiency, and hasten his resignation.

It is sometimes offered as a criticism that the deacons content themselves, as a rule, with officiating at the Lord’s Supper in the distribution of the bread and wine to the membership; but there are pastors who would consider themselves fortunate if their deacons could be persuaded to limit their official activities to that simple and ...