Characteristics of the Early
Church:Overseers and Deacons
What is the difference between
bishops, overseers, and elders? These three terms all apply to the same
office in the local church. The apostle Paul called together the "elders"
of the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:17), and said to them:"Take heed … to
all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers"
(20:28). The terms "elders" and "bishops" likewise refer to
the same persons:"For this cause I left you in Crete that you should set
in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city,
as I had appointed you…. For a bishop must be blameless, as the
steward of God" (Tit. 1:5,7). The Greek word translated
"overseer" is the same as the one translated "bishop" in
these and other passages. The word "overseer" describes the kind of
work these men do in the local church, and the word "elder" describes
the level of spiritual maturity required for such work. As we shall see later,
the office of a deacon is distinct from that of the overseer or elder.
How were overseers and deacons
appointed in New Testament times? The 12 apostles appointed deacons in the
church at Jerusalem (Acts 6:3). The apostle Paul and Barnabas appointed
"elders in every church" during their missionary journey (Acts
14:23). Paul authorized his co-worker Titus to appoint "elders in every
city" (Tit. 1:5-8); he apparently gave Timothy the same authority to
appoint overseers and deacons (1 Tim. 3:1-13). So in the early period of the
Church, apostles and apostolic delegates (like Titus and Timothy), under the
direction of the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28), appointed overseers and deacons in
the various local churches. We see from these and other passages that each
assembly had several overseers and deacons (Acts 11:30; 15:2-23; 21:18; Phil.
1:1; Jas. 5:14).
What are the qualifications of
an overseer? These are listed in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus (1
Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9). The qualifications include:
1. Moral and spiritual character:
"Blameless … sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality … not given
to wine, no striker, not greedy … patient, not a brawler … not covetous …
not self-willed, not soon angry … just, holy, temperate" (1 Tim. 3:2,3;
Tit. 1:6-8).
2. Experience as a leader or
ruler:"The husband of one wife … one who rules well his own house,
having his children in subjection with all gravity … not a novice" (1
Tim. 3:2,4).
3. Familiarity with the
Scriptures:"Apt to teach … holding fast the faithful Word as he has
been taught" (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9).
What are the responsibilities
of an overseer? He takes care of and watches after the souls of the
brothers and sisters in a local assembly. "If a man know not how to rule
his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" (1 Tim. 3:5)
"Obey those who have the rule over you [or, Obey your leaders, JND], and
submit yourselves for they watch for your souls as they who must give
account" (Heb. 13:17). He exhorts and counsels the believers, warns the unruly,
comforts the faint-hearted, and supports the weak (1 Thess. 5:12-14). By sound
teaching he exhorts and convinces those who teach things contrary to the Word
(1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9). The overseer may not have a gift for public speaking.
There is no indication in the Bible that he is responsible for an assembly’s
worship, preaching, teaching, or evangelizing. But he takes time getting to know
the brothers and sisters in the assembly. He is hospitable and invites them to
his home (1 Tim. 3:2). One on one, as he sees the need, he encourages,
comforts, rebukes, corrects, instructs, and warns the believers in the local
assembly. What a tremendously important role such a brother has to play in the
assembly!
What are the responsibilities
of a deacon? Perhaps the best description of his work is given in Acts 6.
There were many poor believers in the church at Jerusalem, often due to
persecution by Jews and pagans. The wealthy believers contributed money so that
the local church could provide meals and other necessities to the poor among
them (Acts 4:34-5:2). It was the deacons who were responsible for handling
these funds and making sure that there was no favoritism and that everyone
received a fair share.
The Greek word diakonos,
translated "deacon" in 1 Timothy 3, is used in Acts 6 in reference to
the daily ministration (of food, verse 1) and to serving tables
(verse 2).
Can there be overseers and deacons
today? This may seem like a strange question. Most local churches today
appoint overseers and deacons. However, the Bible does not speak of churches
appointing people to such offices, but only of apostles and apostolic
delegates, neither of which have existed since the first century. On the
other hand, the qualifications of overseers and deacons must have been given
in Scripture for a reason.
A number of local churches today
believe that Scripture does not give them authority to appoint individuals to
the offices of overseer and deacon. However, they recognize the need for
persons taking these responsibilities. Those who meet the qualifications and
carry out the responsibilities are recognized and encouraged by the local
church.
The First and Second Epistles to
the Thessalonians were probably the earliest letters by the apostle Paul
included in the Bible. There is no indication that the fledgling assembly at
Thessalonica had overseers and deacons. The apostle exhorted the believers
there:"Know those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord, and
admonish you … esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake" (1
Thess. 5:12,13). Even though overseers apparently had not been appointed, there
were faithful brothers who were carrying out the work of oversight. The rest of
the assembly was responsible to recognize their labors and to heed the advice,
counsel, exhortations, and warnings given by these men. A similar thought is
expressed in Heb. 13:17:"Obey those who have the rule over you and submit
yourselves, for they watch for your souls."
How can one begin to carry out
the work of an overseer or deacon if not appointed? The starting point is a
life devoted to the Lord—reading, studying, and meditating upon God’s Word,
praying "without ceasing," serving the Lord, attending the meetings
of the local assembly, praying in the prayer meetings, asking questions and
commenting on the scriptures in the Bible studies, and participating in the
meetings to remember the Lord. Ask those who are already recognized as
overseers or deacons if you can help them in any way. When matters that come up
in the assembly needing attention—whether getting estimates on a new oil burner
for the building or visiting a brother who has not been out to the meeting for
two weeks—volunteer to help. If you clearly meet the qualifications and
manifest devotion to the Lord, you will likely be asked to volunteer.
There may not be many brothers in
a local assembly who meet all of the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
Therefore, those who do should be before the Lord in prayer as to carrying out
their responsibilities in the assembly as an overseer or deacon. At the same
time, everyone of us in the assembly should expect to find overseers in the
assembly coming up to us or inviting us to their homes from time to time and
encouraging, exhorting, correcting, or warning us. We must not despise them or
resent their intrusion into our personal life. It is for our greatest good and
blessing that they do this as they "watch for your souls" in
obedience to the Lord (Heb. 13:17). By coming into the fellowship of the local
church, we have essentially agreed to be accountable in attitude and conduct to
our brothers and sisters in the assembly.
If no overseer or older brother in
Christ has ever talked to you with the purpose of encouraging, instructing,
or correcting you, I suggest you bring this to the attention of one or more of
the older brothers in your local assembly.
If you value the work of the
overseers and deacons in your local assembly, devote yourself to the Lord and
His Word. Make sure you conduct your life in such a way that in due time you
will qualify for such a role in the assembly. Most assemblies are in great
need of persons who are both qualified and willing to carry out the
responsibilities of an overseer or a deacon.