Many words in the Bible have more than one meaning.

For instance: The primary use of the word “Pastor” is for shepherd, of “Elder” is for old men and women and of “Deacon” is for servant.

If we do not consider the difference between primary and other uses of words, then all shepherds will be ordained ministers of the Word, all old men and women ordained elders, all servants ordained deacons.

Notice in particular how this consideration applies to a proper understanding of Rom. 16:1.“I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant (deaconess) of the church that is at Cenchreae:”

“I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant (deaconess) of the church that is at Cenchreae:”

As we already saw “deacon” means “servant.” But when we come to the Church of Christ, the Bible instructs us of two kinds of deacons.

First: All believers are called to be servants (deacons) in the assembly of Christ. “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant (deacon) be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honor.” Jn.12:26

Second: Scripture tells us that there are also appointed, ordained deacons in the Church of Christ.

“Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of  wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

“whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.” Acts 6:3, 6

“And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.” I Tim. 3:10

It will be against the teaching of the Bible for women to have authority over men, but ordained deacons do have authority in the Church of Christ in supervising various services to the believers, and of being a back–up of all that the ordained elders are doing. Acts 6:1–4 I Tim. 3:8

So from Rom. 16:1 we conclude that Phoebe is a servant in the Church of Christ, just as all believers are called deacons. She is a “deaconess” not because she is ordained, but because she is a faithful servant in the church. To say that she is a deaconess because she is ordained is to deprive her and those like her of all the honor and praise that the Lord gives to them in commending them for their good deeds; and therefore the privilege to be rightly called SERVANTS (DEACONS) OF THE CHURCH.

Again it would be a ridiculous conclusion that wherever one reads the word for servant or “deacon” in the Bible to conclude that they all are ordained deacons in the church; for then all believers would be ordained deacons. Jn.12:26

Furthermore all policemen will be ordained deacons too. “for he is a minister (deacon) of God to thee for good . . . .” Rom. 13:4

What I think is lacking is not clarity on part of the Word of God, but fear on part of the people before the Word of God.

Brothers and sisters, our forerunners in the faith did not hold vain traditions of man, but were upholding the purity of the faith, once for ever delivered unto the saints, when they stated in the Belgic Confession, Article XXX:

“We believe that this true Church must be governed . . . . when faithful MEN are chosen . . . .”

Now may the Lord, who is the giver and preserver of His Holy Scripture grant us the same faithfulness and determination as to our forerunners in the faith and together with them to confess that we “. . . offer our backs to stripes, our tongues to knives, our mouths to gags, and our whole bodies to the fire, rather than deny the truth expressed in this Confession.”

Belgic Confession, A.D. 1561 The word “Deacon” as it is used in all places in the New Testament:

diakonos.

Mat. 20:26 let him be your minister;

22:13 Then said the king to the servants,

23:11 greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mar. 9:35 be last of all, and servant of all.

10:43 among you, shall be your minister:

Job. 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants,

9 the servants which drew the water

Job. 12:26 there shall also my servant be:

Ro. 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee—he is the minister of God, a revenger

15:8 a minister of the circumcision for

16:1 Phebe our sister, which is a servant

1 Co. 3:5 ministers by whom ye believed,

2 Co. 3:6 also hath made us able ministers

6:4 ourselves as the ministers of God,

11:15 if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;

23 Are they ministers of Christ?

Gal. 2:17 (is) therefore Christ the minister of sin?

Eph. 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister,

6:21 beloved brother and faithful minister

Phi. 1:1 with the bishops and deacons:

Col. 1:7 for you a faithful minister of Christ;

23 I Paul am made a minister;

25 Whereof I am made a minister,

4:7 a faithful minister and fellowservant

1 Th. 3: 2 Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God,

1 Ti. 3:8 Likewise (must) the deacons (be) grave,

12 deacons be the husbands of one wife,

4:6 thou shalt be a good minister of

Stefan Trenev lives at 1140 Peach St., Alemeda, CA 94501.