It would seem to go without saying that any man who desires to serve his church as a deacon, should be a man of wisdom. Ironically, last week I was discussing deacons with a man who has served as Pastor of the same church for over 30 years and has helped many other churches through the years. He said, "You can take a man who is intelligent, godly, a Sunday School teacher, etc.; make him a deacon and he becomes an idiot!" Obviously that doesn't happen to every deacon; but it seems to happen frequently whether the church is big or small, country or city, and in all denominations. Well-meaning men get an ounce of what they perceive as "power" and they lose all semblance of intelligence.
Part of the problem could be that most who serve as deacons do not have any theological training or experience. They only know what they have heard through preaching or opinions they have gleaned from others who served previously. Sadly, some get puffed-up with pride and think they know it all when it comes to the work of the Church. Think about this...When my car breaks down, I take it to a certified mechanic; When I'm having electrical problems in my house, I call a certified electrician; When I need a surgical procedure, I want a highly skilled surgeon with experience in his field. Doctors will tell you that with the Internet came self-diagnoses. Well-meaning web-surfers now think they are doctors and pharmacists! My daughter is an RN and LOVES her job; but her job is often impeded by the patient's family members who insist they know more than the RN's. So, here's my point and what we all need to realize... trust the professionals, those with experience, those with degrees... even in the Church. Realizing this, let's examine this characteristic found in Acts 6:3, "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom..."
A deacon must be filled with wisdom. This means one who is able to use knowledge wisely (Acts 6:3). This verse is very similar in comparison to 1 Timothy 3:9 – “Holding the mystery of the faith.” The mystery of the faith refers to revealed truth which lies beyond the ability of the carnal mind to comprehend. The best example of one filling this requirement is in Acts 6 and 7. Stephen was one of those chosen to serve as a deacon. The Scriptures tell us that he was full of the Holy Spirit, love, power, wisdom, and the Word of God. As you read of his ministry, it becomes apparent that he had thorough knowledge of God’s Word and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit. He made decisions, offered guidance, gave counsel, and lived by the Word of God. So often today, deacon elections are nothing more than popularity contests and men are chosen to serve as deacons without any regard to their practice of spiritual disciplines or knowledge of the Bible. Neither a man’s popularity nor his longevity in a particular church; removes his need to be well-grounded in the Scriptures. To ignore this qualification for deacons, as given in the Scripture, is wrong! So, it is essential for a man assuming the office of deacon to be thoroughly grounded in the Word of God.
In addition, wisdom is displayed in decision making. Arrogance often reveals itself in unilateral decision making. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Arrogance would disregard third party opinions, offers of help, and/or counsel from those with years of experience and expertise. Ecclesiastes 12:13 states, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter..." To make decisions after only hearing one side of a matter is foolish! Consider Solomon hearing from both of the women who claimed the living child was theirs (1 Kings 3:16-28). Hearing both sides allowed him to make a wise decision. Consider Luke 14, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?" Wisdom is displayed by those who are willing to study, dig, examine, listen, invest time, determine the facts, and search the Scriptures; BEFORE making a decision. A deacon who refuses to hear the whole matter, seeks no outside counsel, and jumps to conclusions; will only make pride-filled decisions and wreak havoc in the church!
Would it be asking too much to have a deacon candidate give a proper defense of the Doctrine of God, the Trinity, the Devil, the Bible, Creation, the Fall of man, the Blood Atonement, Repentance and Faith, Salvation, Regeneration, Justification, Eternal Security, Sanctification, the Rapture, the Second Coming, the Church, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, Church Leadership, etc.? Would it be too much to consider a candidate's track record for decision making and proof of sound judgment? Remember, deacons MUST be men of wisdom; who know, apply, and live the precepts and principles found in the Word of God. To know and live as such, one must be full of wisdom and well-grounded in the Word of God.
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