Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Paul ’s Instruction to Titus

another personal character quality, it is a specific task the elder must be able to do: to teach correct doctrine and reprove false teachers. In order for an elder to exhort in sound doctrine and reprove false teachers, he must first be wholeheartedly committed to sound doc trine. So Paul begins by saying that an elder must “[hold] fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching.” By “word” (logos), Paul means the original preaching or oral proclamation of the gospel message which they heard and received. It is God’s message of salva tion and life in Christ. This “wor ” is described as (l) “faithful” (trust worthy) and as (2) “in accordance with the teaching.” The “word” is “faithful” because it is in full agreement with “the teaching.” “The teaching” refers to the apostolic message, that is, the authentic, authori tative, fixed body of doctrine taught by Christ and communicated by His holy apostles. There is only one apostolic doctrine (Acts 2:42; Eph. 425), one standard, and one teaching, and it is absolutely “faith ful.” Any teaching that contradicts the apostles’ teaching as recorded in the New Testament is false, untrustworthy, and from the devil (Titus 1210 ff; Gal. 128,9). God requires that an elder be “holding fast” to His Word. “Holding fast” (antecho) means “cling firmly to,” “be devoted to,” or “adhere wholeheartedly to.” “Paul. . .calls for the overseer’s firm acceptance of [the faithful word],”“ writes George Knight. This term implies un shakable, fervent conviction and commitment. NeWport White says that this requirement for elders suggests “the notion of withstanding opposition.”12 A man who doesn’t tenaciously adhere to orthodox, bib lical doctrine doesn’t qualify to lead God’s household because he, who is himself in error and unbelief, will mislead God’s people. Such a man is no match for “deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1). The priests, kings, and leaders of the Old Testament who did not hold firmly to God’s law were swept away by the pressures of idolatrous religion. So, too, an elder who rejects or is uncertain about biblical doctrine will, along with the flock, be devoured by wolves. The reason an elder is required to adhere firmly to the Word is so that he “may be able,” that is, “equipped” to perform two specific tasks: (1) exhort believers and (2) refute opponents. “A pastor needs two voices,” writes Calvin, “one for gathering the sheep and the other for driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means for doing both.”l3 \Mthout question, Paul requires all elders, not just some, to be able

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