The Book of Titus is an epistle that was written to Titus to help guide his leadership in Crete.
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Paul’s Greeting to Titus
In Titus Chapter 1, Paul mentioned that Titus was a fellow believer in the Word of Christ and wished him grace and mercy. In addition, Paul hoped that the epistle would help the churches in Crete follow the Word of the Lord. Titus would then have the knowledge to select leaders and pastors that would be able to resist the temptations that would come before them.
Selecting Church Leaders
Titus was left in Crete to help restore order and choose elders that had the proper qualifications in order to lead. Paul explained in Titus Chapter 1 specifically how to select the best leaders for the church. During this time, many false teachers were infiltrating churches in order to gain riches and power. This initial section of Paul’s letter to Titus warned of these men.
Qualifications of an Elder
Paul told Titus that an elder must be without a conviction on his record. In addition, a bishop or elder must be a man that is warm and welcoming to all, including strangers. He must also be well-versed in the Word of God.
This knowledge he possessed must be able to be taught to others in a manner that they can comprehend. Another qualification that Paul instructed Titus to look for in an elder was his faithful acts and that he was true to his word.
More Qualifications of an Elder
One of the major qualifications of an elder was the ability to charge those that did not follow the Scripture. These elders were required to get rid of the men that still held beliefs of false prophets and that negatively influenced the minds of common people.
True elders of the church also had to have a discerning eye to recognize these deceitful men that brought with them selfish ways and ancient fables that disrespected the power of the one true God. These fake priests claimed to know God, but their sinful acts showed otherwise.
Titus 1 (King James Version)
1 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;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5 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:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 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;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 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.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.