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Dear Father Paul

Dear Father Paul: Can a woman be a deacon? — Patsy, Fayetteville.

Dear Patsy: According to the Bible, yes. In Romans 16:1-2 the Apostle Paul says in writing to the church at Rome, "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess (servant) of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me."

The Greek word (remember the New Testament was originally written in Greek) for "servant" was "diakonon,"  from which we get "deacon."The early deacons (while indeed ministers) were servants to the body of believers In fact they waited on tables and one of their major jobs was to see that the widows and other poor were taken care of. They did not hold governmental authority in the church; that authority was reserved for elders and bishops.

It is clear from the Romans 16 passage noted above, however, that Phoebe had an important ministry function in the early church. As it says, she had a ministry which helped a lot of people, including Paul. As Paul notes, she is journeying to Rome from Cenchrea (not common for a woman at the time) to minister in some fashion in Rome. Paul asks the Romans to assist her in any way she needs.

Many churches have women deacons today, although some do not agree that women should serve as deacons.

Dear Father Paul: Jesus said in Matthew 5:49, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Yet in I John 1:8 the Bible says, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." How can we become "perfect" if we still have sin? Can you explain this seeming contradiction?— Allan, Fayetteville.

Dear Allan: There is no contradiction. The original New Testament was written in Greek. Sometimes the translation from Greek into English perfectly captures the original thought of the writer while sometimes limitations of language makes a flawless and exact translation impossible. The Greek word (translated "perfect" in many English translations) in the Matthew 5 passage you note is "teleios" (tel-i-os). It literally means "complete" or "mature." Other ways of expressing the meaning of "teleios" are: "brought to an end; finished; wanting nothing." The word often translated "perfect," therefore, does NOT mean 'without sin."

Regardless of man's level of "teleios," his completeness or maturity, man remains a sinner in need of God's grace and mercy.The Apostle Paul said in Romans 3:23, "for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." If man could be perfect in the sense of somehow becoming sinless, it would mean that he could earn his salvation and that is contrary to the Bible, God's word. Salvation is not by works, but is a free gift through a relationship with God's son, Jesus.

The sermon topic for Sunday, Aug. 7. at Church Of The Holy Cross is "Dealing With Fear."

I would love to hear from any of my readers or see them at Church Of The Holy Cross on Sunday. Prayer requests are welcome. It would be my honor to pray for your need.

Father Paul Massey will answer your question. Write him at paulmassey@earthlink.net or Box 510, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214.