Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRODUCTION

There are 2 distinctive offices that are identified in the New Testament Church

Elders and Deacons

We are given in the scriptures two ways of coming to understand what these offices are and how they function.

The first is illustrated in the biblical narrative and in church history.

The second is the specific text that gives qualifications for, and instructions to, these offices.

It’s important that we take our understanding from the harmony of these two examples.

The why in the story and how in the instructions.

Roughly speaking:

ELDER: THE WHAT & WHERE

DEACON: THE WHO & HOW

UNDERSTANDING THE TERMINOLOGY

Elder - not age but maturity.

Not present maturity only, but also trajectory.

There is an evidence of a person yielding to the calling and grace of God on their lives.

Why was this term employed?

This term was familiar to Jewish culture and believers borrowed it as it related to government and the cultural respect of the synagogue.

The second term we see for elder is bishop or overseer.

1 Timothy 3:1–2 (NKJV)

1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

Bishop/ guardian

2176 ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos), ου (ou), ὁ (ho): n.masc.; ≡ DBLHebr 7212, 7213, 7224; Str 1985; TDNT 2.608—1.

LN 35.43 guardian, supervisor, keeper (1Pe 2:25+); 2. LN 53.71 church leader, overseer (Ac 20:28; Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:7+)

Every Elder in the NT is 5-Fold person.

The test of your gifting and calling are not defined by your profession.

I functioned as an elder in several capacities in which I was not paid nor was I given any title other than elder, or given no title at all.

1 Timothy 5:17 (NLT)

17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.

v. Bishop or overseer describe responsibility and authority (Guardian)

1356 διάκονος (diakonos), ου (ou), ὁ (ho) and ἡ (hē): n.masc.

and fem.; ≡ Str 1249; TDNT 2.88—1.

LN 35.20 servant, one who serves, without necessarily having the office of deacon (Mt 20:26; Ro 16:1; Eph 6:21; 1Th 3:2 v.r.), for another interp of Ro and Eph, see next; 2. LN 53.67 deacon, one entrusted to serve the needs of believers (Php 1:1; Ro 16:1; Eph 6:21; 1Ti 3:8, 12), for another interp of the Roman’s & Ephesian’s passage, see prior

Elder illustrates maturity.Bishop, Overseer, Guardian, Shepherd, and demonstrated gifting, etc. describe the office and authority.

Overseership, Bishoprick, Postition.

II John 1:1 - John calls himself an elder

I Peter 5:1- Peter calls himself an elder

b.

We can conclude that elders are ministry gifts.

c.

Apostles, pastors, teachers, prophets and evangelists tell us what kind of elders they are.

A critical conclusion is that any one claiming a ministry gift that operates beyond their local church must be recognized and endorsed at their local church.

My first question - Who sent you?

This would also apply to church planters and missionaries.

QUALIFICATIONS OF AND ELDER

Philippians 1:1 Overseers/deacons The distinction of the two offices.

2176 ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos), ου (ou), ὁ (ho): n.masc.; ≡ DBLHebr 7212, 7213, 7224; Str 1985; TDNT 2.608—1.

LN 35.43 guardian, supervisor, keeper (1Pe 2:25+); 2. LN 53.71 church leader, overseer (Ac 20:28; Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:7+)

1249.

διάκονος diakŏnŏs, dee-ak´-on-os; prob.

from an obs.

διάκω diakō (to run on errands; comp.

1377); an attendant, i.e. (gen.) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); spec.

a Chr.

teacher and pastor (techn.

a deacon or deaconess):—deacon, minister, servant.

Romans 16:1 (NLT)

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea.

That would be better be translated “Deaconess.”