Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 9
November 7, 1957
NUMBER 27, PAGE 7,13b

The Divine Organization Of The Church -- Concluded

C. G. Caldwell, Sr., Manchester, Tennessee

From the theory that the elders are to look after the spiritual affairs of the church alone, many have been led to believe that the elders should have nothing to do with the financial affairs of the church. This is a sad mistake; the idea has no scriptural support whatever. On the contrary, the Bible teaches that the elders are to "take the oversight" and "rule well" the church of God. This places all of its affairs, financial as well as spiritual under the oversight of the elders. When relief money was sent by the church in Antioch, to the brethren in Judea, it was sent by the church to the elders (Acts 11:2730), Paul himself being one of the bearers of this money.

It is certain that the elders are the overseers of the local congregation (Acts 20:28; I Pet. 5:2,3) and the deacons are to be subject to them, as are all Christians. And while the elders are to "rule well," they are not to act as "being lords over God's heritage." They should give every possible consideration to those over whom they have been selected to rule, and they should work constantly for the peace and edification of the congregation. This is the Lord's plan, and when the Lord's plan is followed there is always peace and unity in the church, and the cause of Christ prospers.

Women Servants (Or) Deaconesses

In concluding this series of studies I would like to give brief consideration to a question generally considered controversial: Is it scriptural for the church to have Deaconesses in the present day?

It would be easy to merely skip or ignore this question and thus avoid any conflict with those who might differ. Inasmuch, however, as it is a question of unusual interest to many, and since it has never been my disposition to remain silent on any matter merely because of a lack of unanimity of agreement with the brethren, I offer the following comments for your consideration and further study.

It is a matter of general agreement among scholars of note that there were female servants in the church of the first century. It may be possible that the aversion to such in the present day is occasioned by the unwarranted constructions which have been placed on Paul's statement, "Let your women keep silence in the churches" (I Cor. 14:34). Some seem to think that to recognize certain women as "deaconesses" would violate this injunction, giving to the women unwarranted and unscriptural prominence and authority, thus encouraging them to "take over" or "run" the affairs of the church. If this conclusion be correct, and if the elders of the church are so weak and incompetent as to permit or condone such an eventuality, NOTHING COULD BE MORE UNSCRIPTURAL! Those who hold this view, however, seem to forget that it is also unscriptural for men who are deacons to "take over" or "run" the affairs of the church. They are servants, appointed to "serve," not to direct, oversee, or in any sense assume the prerogatives of bishops.

Brother Robert Milligan (Pioneer preacher and scholar) said, "The diaconate of the primitive church was not confined to male members. Deaconesses were also appointed to attend the wants of the sick and the needy, especially of their own sex." — Scheme of Redemption. Relative to these "women," Brother David Lipscomb said, "They who serve the church in looking after the wants of women can perform for women that which men are unsuited to do. They can do much in the sickroom and in needy families that men cannot do."

In Romans 16:1, 2 Paul said, "I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea." In the Revised Version we have "deaconess" for "servant" in the foot-note. All recognized Greek-English Lexicons define the Greek word from which "servant" comes, "a female servant or deaconess." Thayer says Phoebe was "a deaconess," — "a woman to whom the care of either poor or sick women was entrusted." Robinson says she "had charge of the female sick and poor."

B. W. Johnson comments: "The word is deacon in the Greek. The word also means 'servant,' as rendered, but we know that there were deaconesses in the church of the first century, and Paul, in giving her a recommendation, no doubt mentions her office. To say that she was a servant of the church, would convey no special distinction. In the East, where women were so much secluded, deaconesses would be a necessity."

Now if it is true that the churches of the first century had deaconesses in them, it would be natural for us to understand that Phoebe was a deaconess in the church at Cenchrea and not simply another female member. Indeed, the language concerning her seems to sustain the idea. She had succored many (v. 2) and that is definitely a duty which devolves upon the deacons.

It has been pointed out that the elders of the church should have at their disposal a sufficient number of assistants (deacons) — men upon whom they can rely, men who can be depended upon to carry out any assignment that is given them pertaining to the physical needs of the congregation. Often times, however, there is work that a deacon cannot do in decency and modesty because of the sex of the member in need. Is it not reasonable, therefore, that the elders should have at their disposal certain women who can be depended upon to discharge duties of this type?

Let it be clearly understood that in presenting these facts no thought of forcing upon the church the obligation to appoint and use "deaconesses" (women servants in an official capacity) in the present day is intended. Nor in quoting from various scholars and authorities, such as Milligan, Lipscomb, Johnson and others, do we have any thought of placing these men on an equality with the inspired writers of the New Testament. We simply give their views on the subject for whatever they may be worth, leaving the reader to ponder the question, and by a careful study of the Scriptures reach his own conclusion, Our hope is to clear up, if possible, any mistaken views that may be held concerning woman's place and work in the church, to the end that all available forces for scriptural progress and growth in the church may be utilized.

This question has been debated for generations and probably will be debated for years to come, But regardless of one's views on the subject, the fact remains that much work of the church is dependent upon women; and it is a fact well-known to preachers, elders, and all observant Christians that, generally speaking, the women of the church are more actively interested, more faithful to duty, and more deeply spiritual than most men. The work they do is usually done promptly and efficiently, while we are often prone to neglect, postpone, and sometimes shamefully ignore important duties and responsibilities which are ours. In my rather lengthy experience as a gospel preacher, the help and encouragement I have received from the good women of the church, has succored and sustained me through many trying and discouraging experiences. Whether we call them "deaconesses" or "servants," or whether we refer to them simply as "sisters," there is much and lasting good they can do, and have done in generations past, for the promotion and advancement of the cause of Christ.

(Note). With this we conclude our present study of the New Testament relative to "The Divine Organization of The Church," Throughout this series we have striven earnestly to confine the study to a thus saith the Lord, beginning with Christ and His relationship to the church, the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Elders, and Deacons, as well as the duties and relationships of individual Christians to Christ and His church.

In presenting these lessons, no claim is, or has been made to originality. Nothing new has been presented. We are indebted to various Commentators, Scholars, gospel preachers and Bible students from whose writing we have freely drawn. If the truths we have presented have encouraged or enlightened even one individual, or helped one to better understand and appreciate their duty to Christ and His church, our efforts have been amply rewarded.