Are You A Cretan Or An Authentic Christian?

For there are many unruly and vain

talkers and deceivers, specially they

of the circumcision: whose mouths 

must be stopped, who subvert whole

houses, teaching things which they

ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

One of themselves, even a prophet 

of their own, said, The Cretians 

are always liars, evil beasts, slow

bellies. 

Titus 1:10-12

    There is a spiritual trap  for those who only see the books of the Bible as just letters, or stories, some historical accounts, and do not see that these writings were inspired by God for His people to have revealed to them Him, His requirements, His commandments. There is also a problem with many who only see the island of Crete as simply an island, almost as if the people who resided on that island were somehow inferior. That simple is not the case with Crete, the island that Titus was sent to and to bring order in the Christian Church. A bit of history will help to understand what Paul wrote to Titus: "The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies" (vs. 12b). Crete has a long history dating back to around 3000-1200 B.C. when the island was controlled by the Minoans and the island was ruled by autonomous city states, much like in Greece. They were a civilized society and had many forms of life, great agriculture, dancing, sports, etc., and independent people but were willing and able to aid in wars. In fact, even today, especially after the Ottoman rule, the people have guns in their homes willing to fight if needed. Much architecture remains in Crete, rich in design and have figurines that depict the Ancient Cretan gods, gods that weakly resemble familiar gods depicted in Greek mythology. Cretans were a polytheistic religious people. Cretan society was a flourishing society, exporting timbe, food, cypress wood, wine, currants, olive oil, wool, cloth, herbs, and purple dye. Precious stones, copper, ivory, silver, gold, and other raw material were exported and the also imported much goods. The Cretans had a navy, naval power, and their travels around the Mediterranean influenced their culture. The Romans eventually took control of the island and this is the state of the island when Titus was sent there to bring the Christian Church how the Church was to operated. While there Tutus was faced with the Judaizers who came to Crete because of the opportunity to make money. Cretans were known for their fierceness and their hardhearted ways, ways that included being liars, fun seekers, and were derogatorily looked down upon. This is the land where Titus was sent. We must not think of this island as just an island and the letter sent to Titus just a letter. God uses people to bring the truth about Him, and how they are to manifest Him. 

     Paul sharply admonishes Titus: "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn men from the truth" (Titus 1:13-14). We have today men who are just like those Judaizers who are turning people from the truth saying things that tickle the ears but is far from the truth of God. Unfortunately, too many people are apathetic, oh, they say things against this, but do little or nothing to rebuke such men, such false doctrine. Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, other cults, seem to have a pass to do and say whatever with little rebuke, maybe from some theologians or other writers, but the average Christian is not taught how to defend their faith (1Peter 3:15). Paul told Titus to rebuke them, and that is true for us today that we are to rebuke such a false and heretical teachings. We need to become intentional in our efforts to bring the Gospel, Authentic Christian Faith to the world. We, not just missionaries, not just pastors, not just other Church leaders, us, we, must become active in our faith: "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?...Yes, a man may say, Thou hast faith,and I have works: show me thy faith without works, and I will show thee  my faith by my works" (James 2:14; 18). 

     Why sit back and let others do your work? This letter to Titus is a letter to you and me. Paul did not just write these things to Titus, you can find this in all his letters, letters that were read in other congregations. You see brothers and sisters, we are not Christians in name only, we are Christians in fact and we live according to God's word, Authentic Christians, not allowing anything to stop us from our work as Authentic Christians.

Arise, O God, plead thine own cause;

    remember how the foolish man 

reproacheth thee daily. Forget not

    the voice of thine enemies; the 

the tumult of those that rise up 

   against thee increaseth continually.

                    Psalm 74:22-23

Put on God's suit of armor: it is war

Richard L. Crumb 

God's Rubric To Keep His People Clean

For this cause left I thee in Crete,

that thou shouldest set in order

the things that are wanting, 

and ordain elders in every city, 

as I had appointed thee; if any

be blameless, the husband of one

wife, having faithful children not

accused of riot or unruly. For a

bishop must be blameless, as

the steward of God; not selfwilled,

not soon angry, not given to wine, 

no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

but a lover of good men, sober,

just, holy, temperate; holding fast

the faithful word as he hath been

taught, that he may be able by

sound doctrine both to exhort

and to convince the gainsayers.

2Timothy 1:5-9

     Paul sets forth the rubric to choose men who would lead the congregations. Titus having been sent to Crete came there with the orders of Paul to set the Churches there in order and in qualifications for leaders. It is worthy to note that Paul does not discriminate between elders and bishops as both are called by either name. The character and qualifications for an elder(bishop) as outlined in Titus correspond to what the apostle Paul had written to Timothy. The person to be chosen as an elder(bishop) must not be of ill character, rather he must have a good report; not to be grossly or scandalously guilty, this would bring reproach upon the holy function of the Church. This portion of Paul's words to Titus is so misused by the Church today and that is the pastor is to be the husband of one wife. The dissension in the Church today over this command has caused much strife and unnecessary pain and suffering. How? If a person does not know history and apply that knowledge then all sorts of doctrines and rules are set forth that are not Scriptural. In the world of Paul divorce was common for almost anything, trivial things, as was being done in the Jewish communities, then the person divorcing their spouse run off and marry another which just may be the reason for the divorce in the first place. This command can be taken that the person who is to be a Church leader must be the husband of one wife and this not according to the sinful practices of the day. 

     Children, how the world has gone out to empower children, to put children on a pedestal and give to them power and the right to be "children" as though this is an acceptable excuse for whatever they do. Because of this many children ore disrespectful, thinking the have rights that they have not even earned. Parents give them money and whatever they want just to be seen as "good" parents. In fact, many parents are working, both, just to have things, to be seen as successful and by this do not take time to be with their children, Oh, they do take them to various functions, even attend those functions, but little is done to rear them in the nurture of the Lord. Paul is clear that to be a Church leader their children must be faithful and pious, brought up in Authentic Christian Faith. Children are to be living Authentic Christian Faith. This is honorable for a Church leader, but it is honorable for all who call themselves Christian. Children who are faithful are bring honor to their parents and will be a good sign of the faithfulness and diligence of the parent, who has educated and instructed them. 

     Not given to wine, that is not to be a drunkard, to drink heavily so as to desire the feeling of being under the influence of alcohol. It is not the drinking of wine that is the problem, it is to be drinking wine, alcohol beverages just to be come drunk. How could this be an honor, and to be a good steward of God's children? It can't! Today when one travels the motels and hotels have pornography available and in the seclusion of a motel room a person may be watching in private this lucre and sinfulness. Just remember that in this day all that is done by watching TV is recorded so that if a person is to be examined this will come out as being done. No secrets, no living outside the will of God and this means that to be truly ethical a person must do the right thing even when no one is watching. God's children must be holy.

     Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church: "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty" (2Corinthians 4:3). Have you "renounced the hidden things of dishonesty", those things that your honor will not allow to come to light? Are you walking in craftiness, that is, resorting to things that are hidden but are a great snare, and may even be things that you have taught against. Many people have fallen back into sin because they are afraid to look at things from God's standpoint. There is a a crisis we all must face and that crisis comes spiritually when a person has to emerge a bit farther on than the creed he has accepted. Creeds are necessary and will help a person to remember what God has done, but a person must not just know creeds, he or she must apply God's word in their lives. There is no middle ground, either you are serving God or serving Satan. The choice is yours!

And moreover, because the preacher was wise,

     he still taught the people knowledge; yes,

he gave good heed, and sought out and set 

     in order many proverbs. The preacher

sought to find out acceptable words: and 

    that which was written was upright,

even words of truth.

                    Ecclesiastes 12:9-10

Choose wisely: Your soul is at stake

Richard L. Crumb

The Promise of God Who Cannot Lie

Paul, a servant of God, an an apostle

of Jesus Christ, according to the faith

of God's elect, and the acknowledging

of the truth which is after godliness;

in hope of eternal life, which God,

that cannot lie, promised before the 

world began: but hath in due times

manifested His word through 

preaching, which is committed 

unto me according to the

commandment of God our Savior;

to Titus, mine own son after the 

common faith; Grace, mercy,

and peace, from God the Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Titus 1:1-4

     Paul opens up his letter to Titus with some outstanding statements: first, he is a servant of God and an apostle according to the  commandment of God; secondly, God has an elect, a hope of eternal life promised before the world began; Third, God cannot lie, lastly, God's word is manifested through preaching and Paul was commanded to preach the word by God. The authority of Paul is established and the hope of eternal life is establish as that which God had promised before the world began, there is no need to wonder when or how the promise was established by God it was in His plan before creation, you who are of the elect have that promise. It is this promise, the word of God that Jesus Christ ensured to be fulfilled to all of God's elect that we can have assurance that eternal life is yours. 

     Who is Titus? Titus was born of Gentile parents, and was a convert from heathenism. It is possible that Titus was led to Christ by Paul (Galatians 2:3; Titus 1:4). Paul seemed to have a special bond with Titus and love him and appreciated his trusted companionship (2Corinthians 7:6, 13). In 2Corinthans Paul mentions Titus nine times. Paul sent Titus to Corinth as his delegate and Paul eagerly awaited the return of Titus to have his spirit refreshed and this Titus did by the good news he brought back from Corinth (2Corinthians 2:12,14).  Titus was with Paul during Paul's second imprisonment in Rome (2Timothy 4:10). 

     This letter to Titus contains instructions concerning the elders of the Church, and the manner as to how he should impart instructions, how to be obedient to magistrates, to enforce good works, avoid foolish questions, and shun heresies. We are helped to understand that Christianity was not founded to answer ambitious or interested views, but that it is the wisdom of God, and the power of God. We cannot forget that the Judaizers were propagating their erroneous views and doctrines to be conformed to the Mosaic law for salvation. These Judaizers were teaching that for salvation doing and following the practices would bring pardon for sins and the hope of being saved. That thinking is found in many Churches and taught by many preachers albeit they do not think of it as being heresy, a following after the Judaiszers. 

     In contradiction to all this Paul sets forth free grace of God in man's salvation by Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Paul shows that those who believe in God, the hope for eternal life from God is where salvation is found and that by this hope, this promise of God good works is manifested, not for salvation but because of salvation. 

     You have this promise of God, you have salvation through Jesus Christ, therefore you manifest this by your good works a badge showing that you are an Authentic Christian and that your Christian Faith is Authentic.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily

     loaded us with benefits, even

the God of our salvation. He that

    is our God is the God of salvation;

and unto God the Lord belong the

    issues from death.

                   Psalm 68:19-20

Manifest your salvation

Richard L. Crumb