Titus 1

Bible study with Pastor Terry Gray

Bond Servant of God (Titus 1:1)
This is the title Paul used for himself, of all the titles he could have chosen! This term is used for the lowest of the low of slaves. It also is a term saved for those who chose to remain a slave. In the Old Testament, to pay off debt, one can sell himself to the master. In the seventh year, the slave can then be set free. There are slaves that love their master so much, they'd choose to stay with their master forever, thus becoming a bond servant. 

Apostle of Jesus Christ (Titus 1:1) 
Paul also referred himself as an apostle of Jesus, a delegate of Jesus.

Preacher (Titus 1:3)
In addition to the two titles above, Paul also saw himself as a preacher, a teacher of God's word. Preaching is critical. Paul manifested the Word through preaching.

When we gather, there needs to be preaching. Crete was not an easy place to minister. One of their own poets even wrote that Cretans were always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons (Titus 1:12). Titus was left on this island when Paul had to continue on to do God's Will.

A True Son of Our Common Faith (Titus 1:4-5)
Paul called Titus a "true son of our common faith." Paul often sent Titus whenever there was a tough mission -- Paul took Titus with him to Corinth. Titus stood up to the Jews with Paul in regards to circumcision (Acts). And now, Titus has been given the task to go around the island of Crete to set things right in the churches and to appoint leaders.

Titus were instructed to appoint elders according to spiritual qualifications. It is not by popular vote. There is no election. Titus were to pick elders according to spiritual qualifications. 

Qualifications for Elders (Titus 1:6-9)
- Man of integrity
- Blameless
- To be above reproach 
- Husband of one wife 
- Father of well-behaved children
- Not be Self-willed, headstrong, given to drunkenness, violet, pursuing dishonest gain
- Hospitable
- Loves what is good
- Self-controlled
- Upright
- Holy
- Disciplined
- Hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught

We all, not just elders, need to be well-versed in the Scripture so that we can mature as Christians and bring up mature Christians. Additionally, we can also use the Scripture to refute false doctrines and teachers.

False Teachers (Titus 1:10-16)
There were a group of Jewish teachers at the time who enforced that Gentiles needed to become circumcised to become Jews and then be saved. Paul teaches here that there is only one way to God, and that way is through Jesus.

This brings up a major question for the Jews: What's so special about them then, if Gentiles don't need to become Jews to be saved? Today, we continue to be saved through Jesus. Anyone who comes and claims otherwise, those are false teachers, who turn God's Word into religious laws. As to the answer to the question, the Jews remain as God's chosen people, and God's promises to the Jews have not yet been fulfilled but will be fully fulfilled in the second coming of Christ. Gentiles are grafted into the covenant through the Jews. We are saved through Jesus, who was also a Jew. Simply put, the Jews are not replaced by the Gentiles, and God is not done with the Jews yet.

False teachers are...
- Insubordinate
- Deceivers
- Liars
- Lazy gluttons
- Defiled
- Profess to no god

False teachers talk a good game but have no proof of walk.

What do we do when we encounter false teachers? (Titus 1:11)
The mouths of false teachers must be stopped. False teachers destroy families, and they do this for dishonest gain: money, fame, glory, etc. We must stop their lies and rebuke them WITH LOVE (i.e., Guide them to the Way as opposed to just point a finger at them and condemn them).