March 18
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QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDERS
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of indecent behavior or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, 9 holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
– Titus 1:5-9
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In this letter of Paul to Titus, he is giving him instructions to bring the church in order and appoint elders in each city that he asks him to go. Paul gave instructions to both Timothy and Titus between AD 62-64 with almost parallel qualifications for leadership in the church.
Let’s look closely what Paul requires for the elders to qualify as leaders in the church. He must be beyond reproach which means that he is a person of integrity, living and following the honorable and pure life that Jesus sampled for his followers. That he is a faithful husband to only one wife. Loyalty to the Lord and devotion to one woman is like the Lord being faithful to his bride, the church. He must have children who walk in the faith and not immoral or rebellious. Why is this important? When you have leaders who cannot manage their own children, how can they be expected to manage the body of Christ? In lieu of this, he must also be a good steward, meaning he takes care of the flock that is assigned to him and responsibly manage God’s people and resources. Can you imagine if someone isn’t accountable to others when it come to managing the body of Christ? They will easily be tempted to mismanage what they are responsible for. He must be honest and not self-willed. He must not be concerned with his own schemes but of God’s will. He cannot be a drunk or a bully or be greedy because this will be someone who is living in the flesh and immature. Hospitality, loving righteousness, prudence, pure and disciplined are also included in the list. I think the most important in this list is that they are faithful to the word of God and can teach sound doctrine and live what they teach so that they can defend the gospel to those who contradict it and encourage maturity in their faith.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think Paul requires so much from the elders of the church?