Posts
Introduction: Review of the Titus' Assigned Mission
(Titus 1:4b-5 NIV) {4b}Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. {5} The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
Although Paul began the work in Crete, he was unable to correct all the problems there due to his short stay. There is little doubt that Christianity had existed in Crete for some time because a number of Cretans had heard Paul's message at Pentecost (Acts 2:11). There was a large contingent of Jews in Crete (1:10), and it is probably that those who fled after Stephen's persecution (Acts 11:19) brought the gospel to these Jews as well as to the Jews in Cyprus, Antioch, etc. Furthermore, Paul landed in Crete on his way to Rome when the winds blew the sailing vessels off course (Acts 27:7-12). By all these situations, the gospel was sure to reach Crete. Yet until Paul's later visit, after his Roman imprisonment, the Cretan Christians were without organization, which Paul began to remedy. In writing this letter, Paul was encouraging Titus to complete the task. ordain—actually, "appoint." in every city—Greek, "from city to city." In each city where there was a local church, Titus was to appoint a group of elders (cf. Acts 14:23). Concerned that the right type of elders be chosen due to the faltering condition of the Cretan Christians, Paul wanted Titus to choose men who would stop gossip and superstition. His concern here is not only to find elders but to find suitable ones.
--New Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Testament Based on the classic commentary of Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown General Editor: J. D. Douglas New Testament Editor: Philip W. Comfort
In review, Titus was assigned the task of attending to certain issues that had arisen in the churches on the Isle of Crete [map].
The problems seem to have originated from . . .
I. Lack of qualified leadership, Titus 1:5-9.
II. The presence and influence of false teachers, Titus 1:10-16.
III. Lack of good instruction to believers concerning proper Christian conduct, Titus 2:1-10; 3:1-3.
Our study of Titus continues with . . .
I. The Issue of Qualified Leadership, Titus 1:5-9
(Titus 1:5 NIV) The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
A. Essential Qualifications of Elders
(Titus 1:6 NIV) {6} An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
1. He must be blameless, Titus 1:6a
2. He must have only one wife, Titus 1:6b.
3. He must have believing children (teknon), Titus 1:6c.
4. He must be blameless in regard to the negative qualities:
(Titus 1:7 NIV) {7} Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
a. Not over-bearing in the way he leads
b. Not quick-tempered in the way he responds to people in difficult situations
c. Not an alcoholic or addicted to other substances
d. Not violent or aggressive in the way he deals with conflict with others
e. Not prone to use the resources of the church
5. He must be exemplary in regard to these positive qualities:
(Titus 1:8-9 NIV) {8} Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. {9} He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
a. Hospitable (This was especially important in a culture without our modern hotels.)
(Luke 2:6-7 NIV) While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, {7} and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
b. Loves what is good (a supporter of good people, deeds, and whatever is right)
(Eph 6:7-8 NIV) Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, {8} because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
c. Self-controlled (in control of mind, emotions, and body)
(1 Pet 5:8 NIV) Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
d. Upright (conforms to God's righteous standards)
(Col 3:17 NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
e. Holy and disciplined (lives as one who belongs to God, totally to fulfill God's purposes with their lives.
(1 Cor 6:19-20 NIV) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; {20} you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
f. Committed to the truth as delivered by God and his appointed messengers
(2 Th 2:14 NIV) He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
B. Suggested Methods to Insure Quality Elders (Pastors)
1. Background checks
2. Reference checks
3. Interviews with associates and acquaintances
4. Testimonials to spiritual quality of life
Paul made personal recommendations to assure churches that they could trust particular servants of God:
· (Rom 16:1-2 NIV) I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. {2} I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.
· (1 Cor 16:10 NIV) If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am.
· (Phile 1:10-14 NIV) I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. {11} Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. {12} I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you. {13} I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. {14} But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.
Conclusions
1. It is better to have no elder than one who is not qualified.
2. It is right to examine the character and background of pastoral and elder candidates.
3. The most important qualities are spiritual but the practical skills of administration and management are necessary, as well.
4. These qualities ought to be viewed as restricted church leadership but the goal of every person in the church.
