1/16/13- Trustworthy Sayings

"Here is a trustworthy saying" (1 Timothy 1:15; 3:1; 2 Timothy 2:11); "This is a trustworthy saying" (1 Timothy 4:9; Titus 3:8)

Thoughts: Early on in the New Testament church, the leaders were trying to pass on to the new converts things they had learned that helped them in their belief and practice.  So by the time the Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim.- Titus) were written these were called "trustworthy sayings."  This was the beginning of compiling of teachings of the church to be passed down - a preliminary principles of church order.  Trustworthy (or "faithful" KJV) sayings are the beginning of an effort (and the seeing of a need for) a secondary source of authority like a Book of Confessions or Book of Order.

Prayer: Help me to listen to the wisdom of leaders and of the ages.

We confess that God alone is Lord of the conscience, but this
freedom is for the purpose of allowing us to be subject always
and primarily to God’s Word. The Spirit will never prompt
our conscience to conclusions that are at odds with the Scriptures
that He has inspired. The revelation of the incarnate
Word does not minimize, qualify, or set aside the authority of
the written Word. We are happy to confess ourselves captive
to the Word of God, not just individually, but also as members
of a community of faith, extending through time and around
the globe. In particular, we join with other members of the
Presbyterian and Reformed community to affirm the secondary
authority of the Book of Confessions as a faithful exposition of
the Word of God.