For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Titus 1:10-14

As we continue to take a look at the role of leaders in the Church and their responsibilities and qualifications. It’s very clear, one of the roles of the leader, whether Pastor, Elder, or Bishop, is to protect the Church from false teachers and rebuke those false teachers sharply. Again the word Pastor is latin for Shepherd, so think of the leadership role in the Church as a Shepherd overlooking their flock. This is how God designed the Church

The Apostle Paul also gave some specific examples to Titus to emphasize his points. Paul explains these false teachers are deceivers and rebellious people. In todays Christianity we don’t want to rebuke anyone, we don’t want to offend anyone. But its Biblical, as a leader of the Church, you must protect your flock from false teachers and rebuke those wolves. Failure to do this is failure to fulfill your calling as a leader of the Church

So what is the result if you don’t protect your Church from false teachers? Well the Apostle Paul reveals to us “who subvert entire households, teaching things which they should not teach, for lucrative gain” If you allow these false teachers to penetrate the Church, they will deceive a large portion of the congregation. This will have disastrous results on your congregation, as they will become split and divided

Now here’s an interesting note, the Apostle Paul says “One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said” So what is Paul talking about here? Did God ordain a false prophet? No, to understand this we need to understand the Greco-Roman context of the scripture. It was common in the Greek culture to reference poets as prophets, infact the words were typically used interchangeably. The Greeks were a pagan culture, and believe in many gods, so it’s not suprising they would believe a poet could be divine is some way. So the Apostle Paul is pointing out, one of their famous poets declared “All Cretens are liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons”

Its obvious this is a very vague and discriminatory statement made by the poet, however their were people who took this statement as divinely inspired therefor created a false teaching. Do you see how these ideas can quickly escalate and create a life of their own. This is why the Apostle Paul is teaching Titus and us, it’s very important for the leaders of the Church, to rebuke these false teachings and whoever is spreading them without remorse for the greater good of the Church

So what was the Apostle Pauls conclusion for these false teachers “Rebuke them Sharply” don’t allow the wolves to overtake the Church, don’t allow the false teachings to creep into the Church and deceive the bretheren , Amen!

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1:7-9

We continue to look at the Apostle Paul’s divine instruction for the order and structure of the Church. Yesterday we looked at Gods qualifications for an elder or Pastor of the Church, today we are looking at the qualifications of a Bishop. Now if you look at the different English translations of verse 7, you get a more detailed idea of what the role of a Bishop is. It’s derived from the original Greek word “episkopon” which means overseer , this individual oversees many Churches not just one particular Church

Now the Apostle Paul under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is very clear about the qualifications of the Bishop, again its clear the Bishop should be a Man of God, just as we talked about in our previous post about the qualifications of the Pastor and Elder, Gods order of creation, God created man first and then the woman was created from man. The order of Creation is engrained in the family and the Church. Anything outside of this order is not natural and probably more issues will arise.

Its also very clear, not everyone should be a Bishop. The role of Bishop is not determined by academic degrees but by the holiness of a person. Most denominations fail as they promote people to positions of Bishop or Pastor based on resumes or academic achievements, but they neglect the spiritual life of the individual. Are they men born again in Christ? Are they led by the Holy Spirit and bear fruits of the Holy Spirit? If denominations would use the Bible as their instruction book instead of their own teachings, there would be alot less corruption within the Church.

As we look at the expectations of a Bishop, its clear this is not a calling for the faint of heart. This should be a man of great integrity , that has the fear of The Lord and walks with God. Someone who is not self centered but more concerned about his brothers and sisters in Christ at the Churches. 

Notice this man needs to be grounded in the Word of God, as the Apostle Paul says “holding fast the faithful word he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” The Bishop not only needs to know the Word of God, but needs to be living the Word of God, and needs to be able to defend the Word of God against enemies of the Church

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. Titus 1:5-6

One of the Apostle Pauls goals was not just evangelism but also to establish structure and order in the Churches. As we went through previously the Apostle Pauls teaching to the Church of Corinth about Order in the Church, here again we see there is an order and structure for the body of Christ. The Church is not to be ran in chaos, there is a hierarchy and structure, just as their is a structure to the family, the husband , wife, and children, this same structure applies to the family of God, the Church

This is why Satan is so determined to attack the natural order of God. The attack on the natural family, the attack on natural biological gender. Satan is opposing the authority and structure of God. And this has seeped into alot of our Churches, many people refusing to use the Word of God as their authority, and structuring the Church however they feel seems fit. But God has ordained a natural structure for the Church, just as he has ordained a natural structure for the family, anything outside of this structure introduces chaos into the hierarchy.

The Apostle Paul begins by saying “that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city”  A couple things we see from this, first Paul recognizes all the Churches need order and structure. Secondly every Church needs a spiritual leader overseeing them to protect the flock. The position of elder and pastor are used and considered interchangeable in the Bible. When you think of the elder position of the Church, you can basically think of it as a Pastor. If your Church is blessed enough to have multiple elders, consider your Church to be blessed. The more strong leadership a Church has, the less likely the Church will fall away from false doctrines

Now when you look at the qualifications of an elder, its very clear Gods intention was it to be a man, as the Apostle Paul said “if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of unruly behavior” Now those who say this a cultural issue, remember this letter Paul is writing is not to a specific Church, but to all Churches. You might ask why would Paul require the overseer to be a man? Well it goes back to Paul’s teaching 1 Timothy 2, the order of Creation, God created Adam and Eve was created from Adam. This is the creation order of the world, including the family and the Church. This is God’s natural design for creation, to go against this order is to go against God’s natural order.

We will continue this examination of the scriptures in the next couple posts as we work through Paul’s teachings here to Titus. I recommend you also study Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy 2

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. Titus 1:1-4

As we dive into the epistle of Titus, it’s interesting to reflect that the Apostle Paul became a spiritual father, a mentor, to men of God like Titus and Timothy. I bring this up because this should be the model for the Church and us, we need to continue to disciple and mentor the next generation in The Lord. I have found alot of kids these days, have never heard of The Lord Jesus Christ or the gospel. How can we expect there to be a next generation, if we don’t fulfill our calling of completing the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19)

There are some beautiful and powerful affirmations in Paul’s introduction here, first Paul is a servant of God. Regardless of what your position is in the Church, you are always a servant of God, appointed to serve the Church and your community. Second, this calling is in according to the faith of Gods elect. You have been chosen by God since the beginning of the world, it’s something hard for our minds to fathom. Thirdly, remember God can’t lie. The promises given to you by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, are certain, there is no possibility that your salvation is not secured, God has guaranteed your salvation, through the works of Christ and your genuine faith in The Lord

There are many people who take the pulpit who shouldnt be there. They are not truly called by God, they don’t truly believe anything they are preaching. Notice what the Apostle Paul says “in due time manifested His (Gods) word through preaching” Its a great responsibility and privilege to preach the Word of God, don’t take the pulpit lightly as ever idle word will be judged. Paul also says “which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior” Notice Paul understand the great responsibility he beared being the preacher of God. This was not a job or career, this was a higher calling, that was entrusted to him to preach the true Word of God

But the last point I want to make here, is the Apostle Paul acknowledges and affirms Jesus Christ is God. Notice Pauls mention here “God our Savior” and then later Paul states “Lord Jesus Christ our Savior” notice how Paul speaks of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit interchangeably because they are all in complete unison with one another. However the Apostle Paul makes another statement later in his letter “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)