Why Deacons?

We are familiar (I hope) with Acts 6 and the appointing of the proto-deacons. But do we pay attention to the problem these seven men were to address and the outcome of their service? This, I think, is critical to our having a right view of what deacons should be doing.

The problem statement: Acts 6:1 “In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.”

The people of God were squabbling over material things. Go figure! The Apostles saw that their focus was to be on prayer and the ministry of the Word (v 4) and that other godly men should handle the temporal matters (vs 2 & 3). The squabblers were happy about this and seven men were chosen for this duty (vs 5 & 6).

What was the outcome? Verse 7 reveals what happens when godly men keep the peace among the saints: “So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.”

When our focus is on the temporal, we tend to get selfish and squabble over these things. The color of carpet, what instruments should be used, what is the dress code, etc. When people are dealt with gently and temporal matters are resolved, our focus will be inclined to the spiritual and the preaching and teaching will flourish and evangelism will take place, and the Spirit of God will bring lost sheep into His sheepfold – maybe even some priests of a pagan cult.

Trust God, fix your eyes on the heavenlies, do not squabble over stuff. This is good and pleasing in the sight of our Lord. 

As in the Days of Noah, Genesis 18:16-33

People will scoff at the idea that there is a God, deny that He is returning as the Bible declares. No matter what trouble comes, including the end of the world, God will not allow any of His children to perish. Knowing this, we should be known by our holy conduct and godliness as we live at peace with Him and one another; in our families and in our local assembly. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matt 24:37)

 

Accidental Similarities?

Stuart L. Brogden, March 2008

This is the tale of two organizations with eerie similarities in how they evolved through the years. One is fictional, the other quite real. As far as we know, these similarities are not intentional, though this author believes in a Sovereign God – meaning there are no coincidences.

Nobody knows for certain the origin of either organization. Both entities appeared in time and “history” was filled in after the fact to varying degrees. They gave rise to charismatic, authoritarian leaders whose power was rarely challenged. Each leader provides communications to the respective “collective”, insuring each “drone” has the official message, disregarding any information that may contradict it regardless of veracity.

The first encounter locals had with either resulted in the same outcome: death or being assimilated. With each assimilation, the conquering organization was changed, having taken on various characteristics of the culture it conquered. As time went by, the original culture of each organization resulted in something that was not true to either their beginnings or the cultures from which they assimilated new converts.

They each proclaimed that they, alone, represented the best hope for civilization – claiming to be the only legitimate culture into which all would be assimilated or disposed of. Each left a path of wreckage and death in their wake, blind to the needs of outsiders and blind to the errors of their ways and beliefs.

Here now, is a concise comparison between these two cultures. My goal is to make clear the old truism: truth is stranger than fiction.

 

Characteristic	The Borg	Roman Catholic Church
Rule	The Borg Queen is the focal point within the Borg collective consciousness and a unique drone within the collective, originating from Species 125 –which brings "order to chaos".	A pope takes the place of Christ, allegedly tracing his authority back to the Apostle Peter and demands unquestioning obedience to “ex cathedra” statements and dogma, redeeming cultures and ruling the world.
Order	Drones have no individual identity, taking orders for life and work from the hive. The collective is the highest priority.	Local churches and parishioners must follow the catechism, dogma, and liturgy issued by Rome. The papacy and its priesthood is the highest priority.
Growth	The Borg expands to myriad worlds. Inferior life forms are assimilated or destroyed, as the Borg seeks to expand its reach and purify the collective.	The RCC expands to myriad countries, assimilating bits of each local culture into its religious practices, destroying that which does not submit to Rome.
Perspective – toward others	The Borg consider themselves as the highest evolved life form, advancing toward their ultimate goal of perfection, as they see it.	The RCC sees its doctrine as the only correct religion, evolving with each new pope’s personal proclamations. Those who disagree are “anathema”.
Key Doctrine	“We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.”	“If any one saith, that Christ, given in the Eucharist, is eaten spiritually only, and not also sacramentally and really; let him be anathema.”
Self Image	As part machine, ever increasing in machine content, the Borg tend to be very envious of certain human characteristics, yet unable to admit it.	Roman Catholics, ever bound up in man-made religious traditions, branch out by worshiping various images of people precious to them, whose visages are unknown. Tortillas are a common media for this phenomenon.
Nemesis	The Borg find themselves repeatedly unable to soundly and with finality defeat Earthlings, whose individual ingenuity seems to be the unbreakable biological element. The Borg ridicule the humans who refuse to submit, but cannot subdue them.	Despite centuries of tireless effort, the RCC has been unable to squelch or destroy the Word of God or the true church founded on and by the Lord Jesus Christ. The RCC slanders those who hold to what is commonly known as the five solas, who refuse to allow the rule of man to supersede the Word of God.
The end	As far as we know, the Borg Queen was destroyed by Commander Data in Star Trek: First Contact.	We know full well that all who oppose the true Christ are defeated and He will save the elect and cast His enemies into Hell.

Note: No sources are listed, as fans of the Borg know their stuff and likely are not put off by this little article and Roman Catholics have their own sources and would not condescend to read anything I might suggest. So this document stands on its own, as my personal perspective, not needing to be defended against the Romans nor explained to the Reformed.

With the Pope's latest visit to the US, I've begun to notice certain similarities between him, and Batman...

1. Both use an assumed identity.

2. Both costumes include headwear.

3. Both costumes include a cape.

4. Both assisted by young boys.

5. Batmobile/Popemobile

6. Both control vast economic empires, handed down to them by a previous "father figure."

7. Both live in huge mansions.

8. Both have dark events in their pasts, which they would rather not discuss.

9. Both have an aging English butler, who's been in the family for decades.

10. Batsignal in the sky over City Hall summons Batman. White smoke in the sky over the Vatican summons a new Pope.

11. The Batplane/Popeplane

12. The Batcave/Underground Tunnels at the vatican

 Let it be known that I do not hate Roman Catholics. I hate false doctrine that denies essential Christian Truths whether it is proclaimed by Catholics, Hindus, Episcopalians, Southern Baptists, or my own self. For this a Truth – God (by this I mean the Great I AM of the Bible) alone is without false ways.

All blessing and glory and honor and power be unto the Lamb of God! Christ is risen – He has conquered sin and death and saved His chosen ones by His grace, lest anyone boast in the flesh. 

What do we learn from Acts 15?

The problem addressed by the council in Acts 15 was two-fold. Converted Jews had began teaching everyone that 1.) salvation and 2.) life was according to the custom and law of Moses.

Vs 1 Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved!”

Vs 5 But some of the believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses!”

The matter of salvation dealt with primarily by Peter, a converted Jew himself. In verse 9 he noted, “He (God) made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.” No circumcision or any other religious rite – faith in the Son of God is what saves sinners, whether Jew or Gentile.

The matter of life lived before God in the New Covenant was dealt with by the letter sent out, which was previewed in verses 19 & 20.

Acts 15:19-20 “Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.”

The apostolic instructions for life in the New Covenant were not commands for them to keep the law of Moses. They gave instruction on everyday things that they encountered in life. The dietary restrictions reflect what God told Noah. When Jesus was unveiling His kingdom, He taught a new ethic, life based on having a humble heart, loving God and neighbor, seeking heavenly rather than earthly wealth. When the Apostles later wrote about this topic (Romans 14, 1 Corinthians, James, 1 & 2 Peter, etc.), the teaching has roots in the Old Testament but is interpreted and applied differently. Rather than a sexual pervert being killed, he is thrown out of the assembly of saints until he repents. Rather than being forced by the sword to carry another’s burden, the Christian seeks to serve his fellow man by bearing his burdens – and in so doing, fulfilling the Law of Christ. 

No Substitutions - Genesis 17:15-24

When man tries to follow his own wisdom instead of God's in the conduct of God's plan, he is sitting in judgment on the Judge of all. God allows no substitutions in His providential or redemptive plans.

The Two-Fold Covenant - Genesis 17:1-14

The Abrahamic covenant: dual in nature; one of works, one of grace – each expressed in four ways. Two sons; one of bondage, the other of promise. Two lands of promise; one of earthly shadows, one of heavenly realities. Two circumcisions; one of the flesh, granting membership in the Mosaic Covenant; one of the heart, granting people entrance into the New Covenant. Two peoples; children according to the flesh, and those according to the promise, marked by the circumcision not made by human hands – the unconditional promise of God to His elect.

 

God Doesn't Need Our Help - Genesis 16

As with Sarai, the timing might make no sense. As with Hagar, the circumstances might be intolerable. As with Mary, the situation might be beyond possibility. We may not have a word from God telling us what’s going to happen in our case. The counsel is still “trust in the Lord.” We don’t have to change the world, just trust in Him. He is our Creator, He is working out His plan. And through us He will show the world Who He is – the great I AM!