Elders and Deacons

Elders and Deacons are like Aaron and his sons. The numbers explain.

1 Timothy 3:1-10

¹This is a true saying. If a man desires the office of an elder, he aspires to a good work. ²He who becomes an elder must be 1|12 blameless, 2|12 and the husband of 1 wife who is of a vigilant mind, 3|12 and sober, 4|12 and of good behavior, 5|12 and given to hospitality, 6|12 and is a teacher, 7|12 ³and not given to wine, 8|12 and his hand not swift to strike, 9|12 but should be meek, 10|12 and not quarrelsome, 11|12 and not a lover of money, 12|12 ⁴and one who rules his own house well, 1 and keeps his children under submission in all purity. ⁵For if a man does not know how to rule his own house well, how will he take care of the assembly of god? 2 ⁶He should not be a recent disciple lest he become proud and fall into the judgment of an accuser. 3 ⁷Furthermore, he must have a good report from outsiders, lest he fall into disgrace and the snares of an accuser. 1 Timothy 3:1-7FA ⁸Likewise, deacons must be 1|5 pure, 2|5 and not 2 tongued, 3|5 and not given to much wine, 4|5 and not greedy for filthy profit, 5|5 ⁹but they must uphold the divine mystery of belief with a pure conscience. ¹⁰Let these 1st be examined, and then let them minister after they have been found blameless. 1 Timothy 3:8-10 (1 Timothy 3:1-10 BRB)

Count

1+2 = 3 = Leviticus

Leviticus

Aaron and his sons were ordained to serve as priests before Yahvah on behalf of the assembly of Israel. This is the model behind the role of Elders and Deacons, which serve in various assemblies of god in a similar way, the major difference being they are appointed or ordained upon passing examination and not by force of inheritance as sons of Aaron.

This is profound because it says Elders are like the high priest and stay around in one place while Deacons are like the under priests or even the levites who assist the high priest and help as the "step and fetch it" or messenger between different assemblies.

Thus the Elders have a primary role in helping Deacons grow and Deacons are the pool from which new Elders are appointed.

Functionally Deacons probably travel between assemblies delivering communication or financial aid and what not. In so doing the hosting Elders would be able to examine. Those with a good reputation with outsiders and passing examination over some period of time serving in this capacity would be worthy candidates for appointment to the role of Elder within a specific (one wife) assembly, thus switching to the facilitating, hosting, teaching function in one place and letting others travel around as Deacons.

Like with any family it would be the case that sons eventually grow up and leave home and start families of their own. It may be that a spiritual son serving an Elder would need to go to start a new assembly when he moves to the role of Elder himself.

Ryan Eaton 2013-09-05