Br. Rushmore, Would it be scriptural for a congregation to appoint deacons without any elders? While I understand that this probably would not be the wisest or most desirable of arrangements, is there “book, chapter, verse” that would clearly refute this situation as sinful? This was a question asked to me by a fellow Christian, and as far as I am aware, this situation does not exist, nor is any push being made toward this arrangement – it was simply a “what does the bible say about this situation” kind of thing. Any insight you can give would be appreciated. In Him, Doug Teague
The Bible does not specifically address whether deacons may serve without elders, and unless there is some overriding biblical principle to the contrary, it is best that we do not legislate a prohibition of deacons without elders where God did not. At the same time, it is indisputable that a fully organized congregation of our Lord will have elders, deacons, one or more ministers (not necessarily located preachers but one or more male members preaching), teachers and other members (Ephesians 4:11). Incidentally, the congregation for which I presently preach has deacons but it does not presently have elders (because of death and incapacitation owing to age); it is the intention of the congregation to appoint biblically qualified elders at its earliest opportunity, whenever that may be in the future. It would be sinful, though, to purposely not have elders in violation of the biblical arrangement portrayed on the pages of inspiration.
Why would it be any more unusually or thought biblically incorrect to have deacons without elders than to have a preacher without elders? If one supposes that deacons might overstep their bounds and rule as though they were elders, might the same supposition (and it has happened, evangelist oversight, declared or not) be said respecting a preacher without elders?
The Jerusalem church appointed men, who though not called deacons in our English translations, served in the capacity of deacons (Acts 6:1-7). Further, Acts 6:2 employs the Greek word diakoneo, from diakonos (our word sometimes meaning deacon) for “serve” when describing the activity for which those seven men were selected. However, the first mention of “elders” in the Roman province of Judaea, where Jerusalem is located, is in Acts 11:30. Specific reference to “elders” in the Jerusalem church does not appear until Acts 15:2. One might conclude that the Jerusalem church had deacons before it had elders. At least, if God were intent on making it known otherwise, he certainly could have, but evidently it was not a matter of grave concern to him.
Summarized, every congregation of the Lord’s church ought to strive to appoint biblically qualified elders (as well as deacons, preachers and teachers). However, there is nothing in Scripture that obviously makes the appointment of deacons dependent on the appointment of elders, any more than the appointment of a preacher is dependent upon the appointment of elders. Still, a congregation that has deacons (or a preacher) without elders is not to be ruled by the deacons (or a preacher), but guided by the faithful, adult males of that congregation until such time as biblically qualified elders can be appointed.
