All Articles For The Nature of the Diaconate

Rev. Kuiper is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Byron Center, Michigan. Having sketched the history and basis of the diaconate, we must now explain in more detail what this office is. Doing this will continue to impress on us that the office is necessary for the church and has a solid basis in Scripture. The nature of this office is well summarized by this definition of the term “diaconate”: the diaconate is that office in the church of Jesus Christ which is particularly devoted to works of mercy and the care of the church’s poor. But this raises...

Rev. Kuiper is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Byron Center, Michigan. In writing on the nature of the diaconate, we are explaining how the characteristics of an office in the church of Jesus Christ apply to the diaconate. We defined an office as “a position given by God to men, in the sphere of the covenant, in which He authorizes them to serve Him in that sphere.” The characteristic of office which we have already examined is that of authority. Deacons have authority. Authority implies service. Authority is never simply glitter and glamour, merely a respectable position, devoid...

Rev. Kuiper is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Byron Center, Michigan. In examining the nature of the diaconate, we have noticed that it is an office of authority and of administrative service. These aspects also characterize the nature of the other offices; pastors and elders also have authority to serve God by administering to the church God’s Word, rule, and care for His people. How, then, does the nature (not merely the work) of the office of deacon differ from that of the other offices? For if all three offices have the same nature, we would in essence...