God's Church According To His Word

For this reason I left you in Crete,

that you should set in order the things

that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city

as I commanded you—if a man is blameless,

the husband of one wife, having faithful children

not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God,

not self–willed, not quick–tempered, not given to wine,

not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable,

a lover of what is good, sober–minded, just, holy,

self–controlled holding fast the faithful word

as he has been taught, that he may be able,

by sound doctrine, both to exhort

and convict those who contradict.

Titus 1:5–9

            Do you want to complain about the Church as being apostate, that is, that it is not what Jesus had in mind when the Church was established? Some do, they run away from the institutional church, they stop going to Church. They give all sort of reasons for doing so, their leaving, their non–attendance, and point to what they believe is wrong with the Church. Most of the finger–pointing is at things we call indifference. Some don’t know the difference between that which is not and indifference and that which are: i.e., communion; when, how often, by whom should give the communion and do you use wafers, a loaf of bread, crackers, wine, water, grape juice? The real meaning of the communion is lost in this fray of complaints. Some object to the many denominations; in some cases they have a valid point, that is in those denominations that are not following sound doctrine (vs. 9). Or in some cases (Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Oral Roberts, his son, and more) who seem to have a greedy and love of money and live in this life as though there is not other life by living way above what would be considered to be an accusation as a poor steward of God’s money, or are doing such things that set them apart from all the rest as thought they are getting some special blessing from God, but only can be seen as being greedy and hiding behind some form of philanthropy. Those Churches that are not following sound doctrine, run from them, this is a good thing, but don’t run from the institutional church without taking the time to ensure why you left and to be a seeker of a Church that you can worship God in with other believers. Was there an institutional Church formed in the beginning of Christianity? Yes!  Why did Paul go to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders, those apostles of Jesus Christ to settle matters within the body of believers? Why did Paul tell Titus to go to Crete and to appoint elders in every city? To form house Churches? Maybe at the beginning people met in houses but the church grew larger and needed a place where many people could meet and hear God’s word exhorted and to be convicted of their sins by hearing of God’s word applied. This was done wherever the Gospel was preached and taught. Was their a problem within the catholic (universal) Church that we can see in the history of the Church? Yes! The Reformation was a reforming of the Church away from such falseness within the Church and to be reformed according to sound doctrine that is found in Scripture and not by some self–willed person who was appointed as leader.

            In the day, and we can find some even in our day, a people that were Jews who were not following sound doctrine and were attempting to lead astray other Christians by holding on to the old covenant given to ancient Israel and was fulfilled in Jesus Christ who instituted a new a better covenant: “For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake dishonest gain” (Titus 1: 10–11). Paul had to deal with this problem when writing to Timothy in his second letter: But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self–control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away” (2Timothy 3:1–5. Do you see this in today’s world? I do! Do we run away? Yes! That is, if the Church is apostate by following unsound doctrine. Leaders that are teaching a form of godliness that seems like it is godly, but is nothing more than a mode of satisfaction to the ears of their listeners. This is why Paul laid out the requirements for bishops or elders, both are used for the same person, Greek presbyteros, and episkopos. They are appointed to an institutional, or catholic Church to oversee the Church. This is their responsibility (Acts 20:17). These men appointed by God through men such as Paul were to care for the Church and to stomp out any seeds of schisms, or heresy. We are not to be involved in foolish disputes (2Timothy 3:9), those disputes of matters of indifference. We are to love and care for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

            Lest we should forget: WE ARE WITNESSES FOR JESUS CHRIST!!

Who is wise and understanding among you?

            Let him show by good conduct that

His works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

                                                James 3:13

Draw Near To God And He Will Draw Near To You. (Hebrews 4:8)

Richard L. Crumb