“Suitable For Service”

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

The Bible says in the New Testament that a deacon or pastor should be the husband of one wife.  I attend a Baptist church that does not allow a man to be a deacon or pastor unless he has only been married once in his lifetime.  I do not disagree with this and I believe this to be true, but my question is if the pastor or a deacon in my church has had sexual relationships prior to meeting and marrying their first and only wife, would this not disqualify them from their office of pastor or deacon?

Sincerely,
Double-Checking

Dear Double-Checking,

The qualifications you are referring to occur in 1 Tim 3:2, 1 Tim 3:12, and Tit 1:6.  The term ‘husband of one wife’ literally means ‘a one woman man’ in the original Greek.  In order to be a deacon or a pastor, a man must have shown himself to be dedicated to one woman and committed to monogamy.  Previous relationships before marriage would not necessarily disqualify a man from serving, but all those details must be considered before appointing a man to the position of deacon or elder.  The question is simply, “Is this man a dedicated one-woman man?”  Answer that question, and you will know whether he is qualified.

Share