One distinguishing qualification for the office of a deacon is “holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” Every other qualification is also attributed to the bishop. It seems to me that this is the basic entry qualification for the trust of the gospel (and by implication, the trust of the church, which is the vessel for the gospel). To fail in this matter is to shipwreck the entire purpose of God over one’s life (1 Timothy 1:19-20).
eBooks
Holding the Mystery of the Faith in a Pure Conscience
