Expert: John of AllFaith - 5/6/2010

Question
What scriptures can I use as support for allowing women to become deacons in a Baptist Church?

Answer
Hi Donna,

There are none. The Bible does not allow women to be deacons, pastors nor bishops:

Bishops:

I Timothy 3:1  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
3:2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3:3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
3:4  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
3:5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
3:6  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
3:7  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Deacons:
3:8  Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
3:9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
3:10  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
3:11  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
3:12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
3:13  For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

I know this is not what you were hoping for, but it is what the Bible clearly teaches. The Bible grants important service opportunities to women however it also has restrictions on how they can serve within the Church. Most churches could not function without the service of their female members, but those churches that follow the biblical teachings do so without female deacons, pastors or bishops. Current gender views aside, someone who truly wishes to serve God needs to accept the restrictions He has established for His servants.

Maranatha,
~ Pastor John