The role of a Deacon is to meet the needs of the church. They are to meet the needs of everything from food to visiting saints in prison to washing feet. This office is not to be confused with the role of an Elder. Elders are the ones who govern and teach the church. All saints are called to proclaim God's word, serve each other, and outdo one another with good works. But God has also appointed people for specific roles for the church. A Deacon can be married or single and is to be a servant of the church to relieve the work of the Elders.
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:1-7
Deacons are to meet needs for food, water, hospitality, clothing, sickness, emergencies, visiting saints, visiting saints in prison, serving and setting tables, and washing feet. (Matthew 25:44; John 13:1-17; Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 10:32-34).
The word "Deacon" in Greek is: διάκονος = diakonos, which literally means "servant or waiter".
Examples of Deacons in scripture can be found in, Matthew 8:15; Matthew 27:55; Luke 8:3; Luke 10:40; John 12:2; Romans 16:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:2.
The requirements of a Deacon:
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. Forthose who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8-13, ESV)
Jesus said if you want to be great you must serve. Matthew 20:26
Examples of Deacons in scripture can be found in, Matthew 8:15; Matthew 27:55; Luke 8:3; Luke 10:40; John 12:2; Romans 16:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:2.
The requirements of a Deacon:
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. Forthose who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8-13, ESV)
Jesus said if you want to be great you must serve. Matthew 20:26
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