Blammo said:
No one in the academic community puts any stock in the reliability of the word of God? Does that include all of the English versions, or just the KJV? I can understand a modern version preference, but, the KJV is unreliable?
I'm gonna chime in on that note. This is a little off, but the people who did the word for word translation were men who spoke many languages fluently. several knew at least a dozen languages. So If i were to put stock on who knew more greek, i'd take their translation. Translation of the Bible is a preference. That's up to you.
As for the whole, deacon and such, first of all, what does this have to do with "are we called to envangelize" but secondly Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
These separate people are for the building up of the church specifically. The church has these people to mature (perfect) the saints so they can do the work of the ministry (ministry of reconciliation) for the building up (edifying) of the church. a deacon is appointed to help take care of the widows. Unfortunately through our traditions we have lost the true meaning of a deacon. the meaning of the word office that would be used there is "a particular duty."
"And let these also first be proved; then let them use the particular duty of a deacon, being found blameles" Deacons have a special particular duty that is not completly for the building up of the church.
We are all servants of Christ. That is the truth, but deacons have a special duty and are appointed for a specific purpose within a church. Their duty is important because it allows others who go out to evangelize to do their work. And I believe that they are a servant and have a large part in the work of the church.