Guard the Good Deposit

12 • Guard the Good Deposit: The Great Tradition for the Whole Church

engagement with Scripture that fundamentally shaped the Church as we know it. The early Church built a rule of faith (a creed) that summarizes the core of the faith from Scripture. They created a service of the Word and the Table that keys all gathered worship to the Gospel of Christ and his Kingdom. They Christianized the Jewish festival calendar to pattern their own spiritual lives on the story of God in Christ. The Word of God dwelt richly in them and they became a light representing Christ and his Kingdom in the world. Their beliefs and practices became the Sacred Roots of every branch of the Church. We Can All Guard the Good Deposit By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you (2 Tim. 1.14). Jesus of Nazareth has all authority in heaven and on earth. He conquered sin, death, and Satan, and established a Kingdom that will never end. He poured the Holy Spirit on the Church and sent us to call everyone everywhere to freedom and eternal life. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. ‘Us’ means the whole church. Every believer – man, woman, boy, and girl, no matter your age, culture, ethnicity, personality, education, background, or wealth – if the Holy Spirit dwells within you, you can guard the good deposit that as been entrusted to you. Friends, our intent is to empower whole Church to guard the good deposit that has been entrusted to us. The Great Tradition provides a clear witness to what has been