THE PURPOSE OF BEING APPOINTED TO LEAD THE PEOPLE OF GOD 1 [Let us study the epistle to Titus 1]
"FOR this reason, I left you in Crete, that you should SET IN ORDER the things that are LACKING And APPOINT ELDERS in every city as I commanded you."
Titus 1:5 (NKJV)
• Titus was left in Crete to watch over the work started there by Paul and his team members.
- He was instructed or commanded to appoint elders in every city, which was one of the main tasks given him to do there.
- In the early church, elders were always appointed to oversee, or do the pastoral work, in the new churches that were planted or established, but yet to have Pastors:
21 AFTER PREACHING THE GOOD NEWS IN DERBE AND MAKING MANY DISCIPLES, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 WHERE THEY STRENGTHENED THE BELIEVERS. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 PAUL AND BARNABAS ALSO APPOINTED ELDERS IN EVERY CHURCH. WITH PRAYER AND FASTING, THEY TURNED THE ELDERS OVER TO THE CARE OF THE LORD, in whom they had put their trust" (Acts 14:21-23 NLT).
• In the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, elders were appointed to oversee, or watch over the flock, in the newly planted churches.
- This was usually done because it takes a time for a pastor to be grown, developed or prepared. Spiritual growth is similar to physical growth.
- Those who newly gave their lives to Christ Jesus were still novices, inexperienced in the things of God, thus, they could not just be appointed to oversee the work or pastor those churches (1 Timothy 3:6).
- So, when the Apostles were about leaving, they appointed those who were mature in age and had a bit of spiritual knowledge and understanding to oversee or stand as the pastors of those churches.
- Titus was given this instruction by Paul, to oversee the work, and appoint those to work as elders, pastors, superintendents, and whatever, over the churches in the Island—Crete.
• Qualifications of An Elder.
I. An elder should be someone who is blameless. Someone who has good testimony among those who are outside (Titus 1:6; 1 Timothy 3:7).
SOMEONE with a good reputation (Acts 6:3).
a. It is a thing to Note that even among the Believers, there are people without good reputations, they cannot be trusted. I think If an elder or whoever to serve in the church leadership wanted to be appointed, we should just go ahead and pick just anyone.
BUT the truth is, that should not be done, because there are some who cannot be trusted, they had no good reputation at all—they are wolves in sheep clothing (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29). And also, there are false Brethren among the congregation, among the fold—the church (2 Corinthians 11:26).
b. The Apostles in the early church, wanted to choose or appoint the Deacons; Having a good reputation was one of conditions or criteria specified that whoever to be appointed should possess: "THEREFORE, BRETHREN, SEEK OUT FROM AMONG YOU SEVEN MEN OF GOOD REPUTATION, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, WHOM WE MAY APPOINT OVER THIS BUSINESS [affairs of the church]" (Acts 6:3 NKJV).
II. An elder must be morally sound. Not engaging in immoralities (Titus 1:6). That is, he should be faithful to his spouse.
THE Sin of immorality is rampant in the church today, and it is becoming the Norm. Thus, whoever would be appointed should be chaste:
3 GOD'S WILL IS FOR YOU TO BE HOLY, SO STAY AWAY FROM ALL SEXUAL SIN. 4 THEN EACH OF YOU WILL CONTROL HIS OWN BODY AND LIVE IN HOLINESS AND HONOUR—5 NOT IN LUSTFUL PASSION like the pagans who do not know God and HIS WAYS" (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NLT).
III. The children of whoever wants to serve as an elder must be Believers; they must have had an encounter with Christ Jesus and should not be wild or rebellious (Titus 1:6).
THAT is, an elder should be able to influence or control his children; teach and shape them with God's Word, and they should be well-behaved, and not recalcitrant.
IV. An elder must live a blameless life because he is God's Minister (Titus 1:7). HE must live holy, nothing incriminating should be found in him:
15 BUT AS HE WHO CALLED YOU IS HOLY, YOU ALSO BE HOLY IN ALL YOUR CONDUCT, 16 BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN, “BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY" (1 Peter 1:15,16 NKJV).
V. An elder should not be arrogant or quick tempered: "BUT HE GIVES MORE GRACE. THEREFORE, He says: “GOD RESISTS THE PROUD [arrogant], BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE” (James 4:6 NKJV).
IN other words, he should be thoroughly broken and must be able to control his emotions, not a person whom Anger has hold on (Titus 1:7).
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
- Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' name.
- The hold of sicknesses is completely broken in your life in Jesus' name.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps as highlighted above, it means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word-based church in your area and Town or city and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!