1st Timothy 3:9. “Holding the mystery of the faith in a good conscience.” MYSTERY OF THE FAITH It is not out of date – No, not in any way! The faith delivered to the saints back then is still the same today. The body of truth the apostles taught when the Church was formed Is our responsibility still today and to it we must conform.
This is not something to be voted on by elected church officials. These truths are deep and lasting, not decided by minds so fickle That they listen and seek to adapt to what pleases the will of men. To relegate truth to opinions is a great and grievous sin.
The deacon who speaks for God must hold truth against attack. When he declares the counsel of God, he must hold nothing back. Truth holds him when he applies himself to unchanging facts of the faith. And then he holds the truth when preaching it in every place.
When speaking as did Stephen, it was obvious to all – That the deacon who teaches “the faith,” and to the hearers call; Is one who knows what he believes and lives with a conscience clear – And what he teaches has impact on all with righteous and godly fear.
The work in his soul by the Spirit of God gives him clear direction. The things that he says to others is right, is reinforced by his actions. The body of teaching that God established in the first generation Has not changed and will not change because of men’s predilections.
To know a teaching is true is one thing; to live it is another. The conscience of a deacon is a safeguard for all who gather To hear the mystery of the faith proclaiming so all can know The fundamentals of our faith are firm, and will remain just so.
“Holy God, guard those who speak for Thee with a clear conscience and a tender heart. Give all such a tried and proven track record of faith. Help us all who speak publicly, to be sincere and biblically correct as we present the mystery of faith. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Deacons must be doctrinally sound so they can understand and obey Christian doctrine. Decisions based on the Word of God and backed up with godly lives, are essential in those who represent the assembly. A deacon who does not know the Bible, is an obstacle to progress in the assembly. Those who go before the people of God need to be tested and proved. An untested Christian, is an unprepared Christian. Godly homes are a stronghold of faith and evidence of maturity that carries over into assembly life. Our home life affects our church life. The wives of deacons are to be exemplary, because what one is committed to in a marriage, the other should be committed to as well. There is a unity of life and purpose that is so close that each one is the compliment of the other. These moral standards are to be expected in both the deacon and his wife. Marital stability has the effect of giving weight to the ministry of all kinds in which a deacon is engaged. The good management of a family and mutual respect of husband and wife for each other give credibility to his service.