Comparison of Elders and Deacons

They are not the same Function

COMPARING "ELDER" WITH "DEACON" A study by the late Carl Shaeffer (1983)   I was pleased to know and work with (for a short time before his death) Elder Shaeffer. I am pleased to present to you his comparison study on Elders and Deacons. Many today are saying there is no difference, and they try to go to the Greek words to prove their point. But such is useless arguing over meanings of words. As Mr.Shaeffer shows in this study outline, the NT clearly tells us the differences between Elders and Deacons in the church - Keith Hunt. Some churches, without realizing it, are not knowledgeable as to what is expected of an Elder, his qualifications, or his Scriptural knowledge. Nevertheless, many men are ordained each year, being saddled with an office they truly cannot handle. Often they will go through the motions, stumbling through what they hope will pass as a sermon, hoping no one will notice it. Or, they will push on ahead, thinking everything is great, "my congregation is growing Spiritually", until sometime later they will realize the truth, as they see their congregation dwindle away, and not from normal causes. Who is to blame in these cases, who is responsible? Both parties are to blame, the Elder, or Elders, representing the church, as well as the man who is being ordained are to blame equally. The Elders who ordained the man did not look into the total character of the man, the sum total of his Spiritual gifts of I Cor.12, as well as the fruits of the Spit of Gal 5:22. Man times a man will be ordained because he has been in the church a long time, has hung in, and hung on, during times of crisis, and is somewhat of a speaker. This is not to say that good, sound Spiritual speaking cannot be obtained by patience, practice, perseverance, and classwork, together with extra help from God---God loves this attitude in a man. What does God say regarding this? What are some of the requirements God is looking for? The following are only a few, but it will give some idea of what is expected of an Elder. This list is one of comparison of the qualifications of an Elder, as opposed to that of a Deacon. This is, in no way, a put down for those who are Deacons, as they hold a dignified and meaningful office. This list is taken from Scriptures of instructions and requirements of Paul's Pastoral Letters to the ministry, of I Timothy 3, and others. But before this list is read, I Cor.13:1-3 should be acknowledged as heading the list; because without deep love for the congregation, and a willingness to put them before your own interests, the rest of the requirements are useless. If a man has a reasonably high score of all these requirements, and possesses even some of the Spiritual gifts of I Cor.12, and has love, he will make a good Elder, as this office is a seevice of love. Carl M. Schaeffer 1 TIMOTHY 3 - ELDERS Verse 2 -- Blameless 2 -- One wife 2 -- Vigilant (I Pet.5:8) 2 -- Sober (I Pet.5:8) 2 -- Good behavior 2 -- Hospitable 2 -- Able to teach 3 -- Not given to much wine 3 -- No striker 3 -- Not greedy for money 3 -- Patient 3 -- No brawler 3 -- Not covetous 4 -- Rule well house 5 -- Take care of church 6 -- Not novice 7 -- Good report (character) DEACONS Verse 10 -- Blameless 10 -- Be proved first Honest report (Acts 6) Holy Spirit (Ants 6) Wisdom (Acts 6) 12 -- One wife 12 -- Rule well house None In comparing there is MUCH that is NOT required for the office of Deacon. I TIMOTHY 5 and 6 - ELDER Verse 20 -- Rebuke those that sin 22 -- Don't ordain quickly 11 -- Follow righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patienee, meekness 14 Keep these commandments DEACON - None 2 TIMOTHY 2 - ELDERS Verse 1 -- Be strong in grace 2 -- Teach men to be teachers 3 -- Endure hardness-hardship 6 -- Be a husbandman 10 -- Endure all things 15 -- Study to show yourself 15 -- Correctly divide Word 16 -- Shun profane babbling 22 -- Flee youthful lusts 22 -- Follow righteousness 22 -- Follow peace 22 -- Follow love 23 -- Avoid foolish, unlearned questions 24 -- Elders not to strive 24 -- Be gentle 24 -- Be able to teach 24 -- Be patient 24 -- Continue in things learned DEACONS - Not mentioned - none 2 TIMOTHY 4 - ELDERS 2 -- Preach Word in season 2 -- Reprove, rebuke 2 -- Encourage others-doctrine 5 -- Endure afflictions 5 -- Do work of Evangelist 5 -- Prove your ministry (Service) DEACONS - Not mentioned - None TITUS 1 - ELDERS Verse 6 -- Governable-not unruly 6 -- Peaceful-no rioting 7 -- Blameless as steward 7 -- Not selfwilled 7 -- Not soon angry 8 -- Love goodness 8 -- Just, Holy 8 -- Temperate (controlled) 9 -- Holding fast the Word 9 -- Exhort by sound doctrine (teach) 9 -- Convince gainsayers (know Scriptures) TITUS 2 - ELDERS Verse 1 -- Speak (Preach) sound doctrine 7 -- Be pattern of good works 6 -- Exhort young men 7 -- Incorruptible in doctrine 7 -- Gravity-serious,sincerity 8 -- Sound speech 8 -- Encourage servants 15 -- Encourage, Rebuke with authority TITUS 3 Verse 1 -- Teach to obey Magistrates 2 -- Be gentle 2 -- Be meek 9 -- Avoid foolish arguments 10 -- Reject heretic - if no change DEACONS - Not mentioned - None 1 PETER 5 Qualifications and Requirements - ELDERS Verse 2 -- Feed flock of God 2 -- Feed flock - not by compulsion 2 -- Feed flock - with willing mind 2 -- Feed flock - not for money 3 -- Rule - but not as "lords" 3 -- Good example to flock 5 -- Younger - submit to older 5 -- Subject to one another 5 -- Be humble 10 -- Be willing to "suffer" for strength DEACONS - Not mentioned - None ..................... NOTE: Studying Acts 6 we see what DEACONS were ordained to do. There is no specific mention of any "spiritual" work they needed to perform towards the brethren. Yes, of course, they were to be spiritual, and sometimes God did gives powerful gifts of the Spirit to some of those who "waited on tables" - but then God can, if He wills, give any gift of the Spirit to any person in the body of Christ.            Keith Hunt