When we study the Holy
Scriptures, one of our quests is to discover the reason that a
particular book has been written. Sometimes this is easier than
others, but nonetheless it is important. Paul the apostle has been
enumerating his qualifications and reasons for his authority to
Titus, and after making it clear to whom the book was written, Paul
now begins to share the reason for writing. He wrote in verse five of
chapter one:
For this cause left I
you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are
wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed you:
First
Paul wrote, “For this cause left I you in Crete,” “Crete”
was and is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea just below
Greece. Those who lived in the Island of Crete in Paul's day did not
have a very good reputation. We read later in verse twelve of this
chapter:
One of themselves,
[even] a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians [are] alway liars,
evil beasts, slow bellies.
These
Cretians were known to be money-hungry and would do whatever it took
to get gain. It was in this environment that a church was formed in
the days of Paul. More than likely there were some Cretians who were
part of the day of Pentecost when people from around the world heard
the apostles share the gospel.
Paul
wrote to Titus because he had left him behind in Crete, “that
you should set in order the things that are wanting.” In other
words there were a few unfinished tasks that Paul desired for the
church in Crete. It takes some time to develop some order when things
are chaotic especially in a place like Crete. God is a God of order,
and whether we are looking at the Universe, the ocean or patterns
among cultures and people, there must be order. Titus' commission
given by Paul was to continue to establish that order.
Next
Paul says, “and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed
you:” One of Titus' first responsibilities was to “ordain
elders”. The word “elders” is “presbyteros” in the
Greek language and means “of age” or “term or rank of office”.
The term bishop, elders and presbyters interchangeably in the New
Testament, and denotes one who oversees or directs a group of people.
The idea is that Titus was to establish leadership within every body
of believers in every city throughout Crete. Paul appointed or had
given order to Titus to do so. Spiritual leadership is very important
in every church, and Paul knew this. Without spiritual leadership,
there is no telling what direction the church may go. Paul knew there
was a need throughout Crete for spiritual leadership, and without
Titus going from city to city, the word of God could be compromised
by heresy.
Today we
have church leaders throughout the world. Some of the churches have
hierarchy that extends beyond the local church, and some do not. One
of the benefits of church leadership is accountability.
Whenever leaders are left to themselves and have no spiritual
authority over them, they may stray from God's original intention for
them as overseers of His church, especially when the natural tendency
was to be corrupt like in Crete. Establishing overseers and
leadership was one of the first responsibilities listed by Paul, and
as we consider these things today, perhaps we too will discover the
importance for our pastors and elders within our churches.
Next
time we will continue to look at what Paul writes to Titus, so read
ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
; download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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