the first institution of this office, see in Acts vi. 1, 2, &c.  At the first planting of the Christian Church, the apostles themselves took care to receive the churches’ goods, and to distribute to every one of their members as they had need, Acts iv. 34, 35; but in the increase of the church, the burden of this care of distributing alms increasing also, upon some complaints of the Greeks, that their widows were neglected, the office of deacons was erected, for better provision for the poor, Acts vi. 1-7; and because the churches are never like to want poor and afflicted persons, there will be constant need of this officer.  The pastor and deacon under the New Testament seem to answer the priests and Levites under the Old Testament.

2.  The qualifications of deacons are laid down by Christ in the New Testament, at large:  1 Tim. iii. 8-14, Deacons also must be grave, not double-tongued, &c., and Acts vi. 3, 5.

3.  The manner also of deacons’ vocation or calling unto their office is delineated, viz:  1.  They must be chosen by the church; “Look ye out among you seven men of honest report,” &c., “and they chose Stephen,” &c., Acts vi. 3, 5. 2.  They must first be proved and tried by the officers of the church, before they may officiate as deacons; “and let these also first be proved, then let them use the office of a deacon, being blameless,” 1 Tim. iii. 10. 3.  They must be appointed by the officers of the church to their office, and set apart with prayer, Acts vi. 3, 6:  “Look ye out men—­whom we may appoint over this business—­whom they set before the apostles, and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”

4.  Deacons have by Scripture their work and employment appointed them.  Their work is, to serve tables, (hence the name deacon seems derived,) Acts vi. 2, 3.  To be an help, no hinderance in the church; called helps, 1 Cor. xii. 18.

5.  Deacons have a divine approbation and commendation in Scripture, if they execute their office well.  “For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus,” 1 Tim. iii. 13.  Here the well administration of deaconship is commended as producing two good effects to such deacons, viz:  1. A good degree, i.e. great honor, dignity, and reputation, both to themselves and to their office; they adorn, grace, and credit their office in the church; not that they purchase to themselves by desert a higher office in the church, that from deacons they should be advanced to be presbyters, as some would interpret this text. 2. Much boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. For nothing makes a man more bold than a good conscience in the upright and faithful discharge of our duties in our callings; innocency and integrity make brave spirits; such with great confidence and boldness serve Christ and the church, being men that may be trusted to the uttermost.  Now where God thus approves or commends the well managing of an office, he also divinely approves and allows the office itself, and the officer that executes the same.[92]