The Constitution doesn’t recognize a new birth. Christianity did and does.
Does “one wife” mean a widower cannot marry again and serve?
You DO realize polygamy was common at the time, don’t you?
How many deacons or pastors are asked about how HOSPITABLE they were BEFORE coming to Jesus?
Could a FORMER alcoholic, who changed after believing, qualify?
“make his children obey him with all respect. 5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the church of God?”
Umm...how many deacons and pastors would pass THAT test? Seriously, “PK Kids” have a reputation and it isn’t a good one!
How many deacons WERE “sober and self-controlled” before conversion? How many refused to chase money BEFORE conversion? In short, how many lived like mature Christians BEFORE they were believers?
Any?
I’ve never met one. If they didn’t change at conversion, why would I believe they converted?
The “one wife” was already covered in an earlier post.
For the rest, former drunks and others could, in fact, be elders. There is no ban on such people, who have changed.
Well controlled children means they behave reasonably and with no outlandish behavior.
Deacons and ministers are not elders.