DEACON

The original meaning of this word is an attendant, assistant, helper. It is sometimes translated minister, that is, servant, as in Mt 20:26 2Co 6:4 Eph 3:7. Deacons are first mentioned as officers in the Christian church in Ac 6:1-15, where it appears that their duty was to collect the alms of the church, and distribute them to such as had a claim upon them, visiting the poor and sick, widows, orphans, and sufferers under persecution, and administering all necessary and proper relief. Of the seven there named, Philip and Stephen are afterwards found laboring as evangelists. The qualifications of deacons are specified in 1Ti 3:8-12.

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deacon. deacon, (g) prouider for the poore

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Deacon. Deacon
Anglicized form of the Greek word diaconos, meaning a “runner,” “messenger,” “servant.” For a long period a feeling of mutual jealousy had existed between the “Hebrews,” or Jews proper, who spoke the sacred language of palestine, and the “Hellenists,” or Jews of the Grecian speech, who had adopted the Grecian language, and read the Septuagint version of the Bible instead of the Hebrew. This jealousy early appeared in the Christian community. It was alleged by the Hellenists that their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution of alms. This spirit must be checked. The apostles accordingly advised the disciples to look out for seven men of good report, full of the Holy Ghost, and men of practical wisdom, who should take entire charge of this distribution, leaving them free to devote themselves entirely to the spiritual functions of their office (Acts 6:1-6). This was accordingly done. Seven men were chosen, who appear from their names to have been Hellenists. The name “deacon” is nowhere applied to them in the New Testament; they are simply called “the seven” (21:8). Their office was at first secular, but it afterwards became also spiritual; for among other qualifications they must also be “apt to teach” (1 Tim. 3: 8-12). Both Philip and Stephen, who were of “the seven,” preached; they did “the work of evangelists.”

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DEACON. → (Servant, waiter) → (One charged with the temporal affairs of the local congregation) → Selected by the people Ac 6:1-6 → Characteristics of 1Ti 3:8-13 → The Greek word (diakonos) translated deacon means servant, and is so translated in Mt 23:11; Joh 12:26 → Also translated minister, Mr 10:43; 1Co 3:5; 1Th 3:2

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deacon. Deacon, n. a church-officer, an overseer

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Dea″con (dē″k'n), n. [[OE. diakne, deakne, deken, AS. diacon, deacon, L. diaconus, fr. Gr. � a servant or minister, a minister of the church; of uncertain origin. In sense 2 prob. confused with dean.]] 1. 1. (Eccl.) An officer in Christian churches appointed to perform certain subordinate duties varying in different communions. In the Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches, a person admitted to the lowest order in the ministry, subordinate to the bishops and priests. In Presbyterian churches, he is subordinate to the minister and elders, and has charge of certain duties connected with the communion service and the care of the poor. In Congregational churches, he is subordinate to the pastor, and has duties as in the Presbyterian church.
2. 2. The chairman of an incorporated company.