Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

CHAPTER 10

Paul’s Instruction to Titus

“The overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward.” Titus 1:7

Titus faithfully devoted himself to assisting Paul in his apos tolic mission of proclaiming the gospel and strengthening the churches. Shortly after Paul’s release from his Roman imprisonment (AD. 62), Paul and Titus (and probably others) visited the island of Crete. When he left Crete, Paul left Titus behind to finish organizing and teaching the churches. Titus was Paul’s special deputy to fulfill a temporary assignment, a role he had filled many times before for Paul. Titus was soon replaced by Arteman or Tychicus (Titus 3212). Although it is possible, as some claim, that Paul had recently planted churches on the island of Crete, there is no compelling evidence to support this view. The presence of false teachers who infiltrated Chris tian homes (Titus 1210-16; 329-11) and Paul’s lengthy introduction regarding his apostleship (Titus 121-3) seem to indicate that the churches on Crete were established prior to Paul’s arrival. The fact that there were no official elders in these churches doesn’t imply that Paul founded the churches. Rather, the absence of elders means that the churches were weak and in urgent need of apostolic direction and care. Perhaps Paul felt the same way about the Cretans as he did about the Roman Christians: “1 long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established” (Rom. 1:11). Titus was one of Paul’s most gifted co-workers. Like Timothy,

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