Christian Qualities

If you are going to serve as an elder or deacon, then you must possess these Christian qualities.

(If you are going to nominate a man to serve as elder or deacon, then you must see these Christian qualities in that man.)

I. The elder or deacon must be a Christian (1 Tim. 1:6a; 9a). Clearly God is calling every man woman and child in the universe to believe.

1. Admit he is a sinner (Rom. 3:23),
2. Believe that Christ died for his sin (Rom. 8:5)
3. Confessed that he needs Christ as Savior (Rom. 10)
4. Die to sin (Rom. 6:2-3).
5. He has Eternal life (John 3:16).

II. The elder or deacon must possess these ordinary Christian qualities.

1. Above reproach (2, Tit. 1:6);
2. A one woman man (2, Tit. 1:6);
3. Sober minded (2);
4. Self-controlled (2; Tit. 1:8);
5. Hospitable (2; Tit. 1:8);
6. Not a drunkard (3, 8; Tit. 1:7);
7. Not violent (3: Tit. 1:7),
8. Not quarrelsome (3);
9. Not a lover of money (3, 8; Tit. 1:7);
10. Manage his household well (4);
11. Dignified (8);
12. Not double-tongued (8)

III. The elder or deacon must possess these extraordinary Christian qualities.

1. He must be a man (2, 12);
2. Not be a recent convert (6);
3. He must be well thought of (7);
4. Must have a Christian family (Tit. 1:6, 4-5);
5. Must not be men full of doubt (9);
6. Deacons must be tested (10);
7. Elders must have a desire to serve (1);
8. Elders must be able to teach, they must know the word and be able to use it. (2; Tit. 1:9)

Scrupture reading: Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Qualifications for Elders
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Qualifications for Overseers
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

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