A note from our Pastor:

”Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.”

1 Timothy 3:9

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

The Apostle Paul continues teaching Timothy regarding the deacons in the congregation with our study verse this week. In this verse, his focus shifts from outward facing characteristics to inward traits which only the individual can directly observe about himself.

The master of the faith is an amorphous term in scriptures and one used repeatedly by New Testament writers. For example,

Jude exhorts the believers to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.  Here we explore a few of the items which are certainly part of the faith but in applying this scripture it is important to remember the openness of this particular term.

Certain things in scripture are definitively part of this mystery the Apostle refers to in this and other scriptures.  The first is the Trinity of the Godhead.  The Godhead is at once completely aligned in purpose and action and distinct from one another.  The human mind, with our finite abilities based in time and space, cannot fully process a Godhead which is made up of three but is completely one.  Thus, this mystery can only be held onto and believed by faith.

Another aspect of the faith is without argument the knowledge of eternal salvation.  The understanding of a plan created before the foundation of the world, the election of a certain and particular people, the incarnation, the death upon the cross, and ultimately the resurrection at the end of time make up this mystery.  Again, the mind cannot process many aspects of this but the believer holds the truth within his or her heart based on faith.

These are but two of the many aspects which make up the mystery of the faith.  The instruction the Apostle gives regarding the deacon in the congregation is to hold this mystery in a pure conscience.  In other words, the deacon should believe fully in the mystery of Godliness without doubt.  Being without doubt is not the same as without question or investigation.  It also cannot be judged by any on the outside.  The deacon must give answer for this in their own heart and mind and to God directly.

While this is an instruction for deacons in the congregation it should also be a focus and goal for all members of the community of believers.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah