The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order
9-1. The office of deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of need.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY:
The current PCA text dates to 1922, with substantial changes made that year to the entire section on the diaconate in the PCUS Book of Church Order. From 1973 until 1980, this chapter on the diaconate was numbered as Chapter 10. An amendment combining the old chapters 8 and 9 meant that this present chapter was then renumbered as Chapter 9. [cf. M8GA, 8-88, III.3, Item 2, p. 112].
Of some note in the wording of BCO 9-1 is the persistence of the phrase "ordinary and perpetual" from the 1867 PCUS draft through to the present PCA text.
PCUS 1879, IV-4-1
The office of Deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church.
PCUS 1869 draft, IV-4-1
The office of Deacon is ordinary and perpetual in the Church of Christ.
PCUS 1867 draft, IV-4-1
The office of deacon is ordinary and perpetual in the church of Christ.
PCUSA 1789, Chapter V [and unchanged through at least 1855]
The Scriptures clearly point out deacons as distinct officers in the church,[1] whose business it is to take care of the poor, and to distribute among them the collections which may be raised for their use.[2] To them also may be properly committed the management of their temporal affairs in the church.[3]
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[1] Phil. 1:1.--I Tim. 3:8, to verse 15.
[2] Acts 6:1, 2. And in those days when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.--Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples before them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
[3] Acts 6:3, 5, 6. Wherefore brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business--And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmena, and Nicholas a proselyte of Antioch.--Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
The Presbyterial Form of Church Government. Agreed upon by the Westminster Assembly of Divines. (1645), Deacons
The scripture doth hold out deacons as distinct officers in the church.[*] Whose office is perpetual.[†] To whose office it belongs not to preach the word, or administer the sacraments, but to take special care in distributing to the necessities of the poor.[‡]
[*] Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8.
[†] 1 Tim. 3:8-15; Acts 6:1-4.
[‡] Acts 6:1-4 (cf. also the texts in "c" above)
OTHER COMPARISONS:
ARP 2007, VII-1
The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy and service after the example of Christ.
OPC 2007. XI-1
The Scriptures designate the office of deacon as distinct and perpetual in the church. Deacons are called to show forth the compassion of Christ in a manifold ministry of mercy toward the saints and strangers on behalf of the church, a recognized stewardship of care and of gifts for those in need or distress. This service is distinct from that of rule in the church.
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