Ask Pastor Young - Titus 5-9
I am interested on your thoughts about this scripture. What was its original meaning and is it still true today? Not trying to start a argument, I sincerely want to know your thoughts.
Titus 1:5-9 (NKJV)
5 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— 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop[a] must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 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.
Paul uses these standards to both Timothy and Titus for those who would oversee the churches in which he started. It was a list of character traits to look for when making the very important decision of selecting someone to "Oversee" the souls of those who beleived in the Lord Jesus Christ. We all as Pastor's and Bishops should strive to meet these standards. Two of his standards are dependent on the actions of others (Spouse and children), of which they may be on board today...but not tomorrow. And when we fail in the other areas, (which we will), Paul also encourages those who are spiritual to "Restore" them. (Galatians 6). Holding people to high standards without a means for restoration when they fail in an area is a set up for failure from the start. Today, Noah, Abraham, David,Paul nor Jesus would qualify the way we define and attempt to apply these scriptures. Noah drank, Abraham had a child out of wedlock, David raped Bathsheba and Murdered her husband, Paul had a thorn in his flesh... Jesus wasn't married .... Yet each God used anyway.... Why? Because they held 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
