The Bible Line - February 12, 2013

A caller asked about the vision the disciples had on the Mount of Transfiguration.

A listener has a question about whether Adam and Eve went to heaven.

A listener had a question about the qualifications of pastors in relation to their marital status. -

Should elders be appointed or voted on?

Lee from Connecticut: I have been attending a church that has women deacons. Based upon 1 Timothy 3: 8-13 it has been my understanding that men are called to be deacons. When I asked the the question of one of the pastors this is his response. Board of Deacons has the responsibility to care for needs and serving (Acts 6:1-6) and at our church operate under the authority of the Board of Elders. 2. Romans 16:1 – “I commend you to our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.” The Greek word translated as “servant” is diakonon. It is the same root word used for deacon. 3. I Timothy 3:11 – “In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate…NIV). Wives here can also be translated as “women” which in the NASB reads this way, “Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.” It is commonly agreed that the NASB version is the most literal translation from the Greek. We interpret this to mean that Paul here is referring to deaconesses. Another argument that allows for deaconesses is that Paul does not mention anything about the “wives” of Elders when speaking to the qualifications of Elder. If he were referring to the behavior and conduct of the wives of Deacon, it would follow that he’d do the same for the wives of Elder – yet he does not. What is your understanding/view? 

Pastor Broggi's answer to the last three questions also answered the following question which was e-mailed, even though it was not specifically asked: Pastor Brogie how does the bible interpret and what are your thoughts on the Scripture in 1 Timothy 3:12. Does this mean man (deacon) should be married to one wife at one time or one wife for all time to qualify as deacons.

A listener's mother had some questions about the ages of people listed in the early chapters of Genesis. Also, were some individuals like Moses, shepherds?

Does God disapprove of vasectomy?