namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. (Titus 1:6)
Titus, tasked with appointing elders in each city wherein a work had been started, is given the criteria by which to choose the appointees.
The elder is to be male. When God created all, man was to govern nature. When He established marriage, man was to govern the home. When He established the church, He set men to govern the bride. This is not to be a treatise on the differences between men and women. It is to show that to be right with God, Gods order of things is to be maintained.
The elder must be above reproach. This goes to the public character and reputation of the candidate. We all sin. There is no one that doesn’t. But is he striving to live a blameless life? Does he desire complete sanctification or is he merely playing a part?
The elder is to be the husband of one wife. Is marriage required? No. Paul himself, who was not married, said that he was able to lead women in a congregation. Is marriage forbidden? No, obviously not. He is, through his marriage, to show commitment and faithfulness to one woman and only one woman. He is to love her exclusively. This would leave out one who has been divorced and remarried. For he would now have more than one wife.
The elder is to have children who believe. Does this require that the children of an elder be saved? Since the condition of the heart is known only to God, then how could man judge such a state? The answer must then be no. The elders children should be raised with Christian guidance, being taught what is right and expected. Instructed in sound doctrine and raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
The children are not to have been accused of dissipation or rebellion. The sons of Eli were known more for their vile and wicked ways than for their ministerial heritage (1 Sam 2:12). The transgressions of the sons in addition to their father’s failure to discipline them resulted in the end of Eli’s line.
G+: " after facing mounting pressure from pro-choice lawmakers and accusations that the breast cancer awareness… https://t.co/6i7pfdA6about 2 days ago
G+: Susan G Komen for the Cure gave out grants to Planned Parenthood? That seems like bigger news than the current… https://t.co/z0OGO248about 3 days ago
G+: I won't be able to ride this mission, but if you have a bike and the time may I suggest you head to Columbus to… https://t.co/4XKyLc0sabout 3 days ago
Notes: Titus 1:6
Titus, tasked with appointing elders in each city wherein a work had been started, is given the criteria by which to choose the appointees.
The elder is to be male. When God created all, man was to govern nature. When He established marriage, man was to govern the home. When He established the church, He set men to govern the bride. This is not to be a treatise on the differences between men and women. It is to show that to be right with God, Gods order of things is to be maintained.
The elder must be above reproach. This goes to the public character and reputation of the candidate. We all sin. There is no one that doesn’t. But is he striving to live a blameless life? Does he desire complete sanctification or is he merely playing a part?
The elder is to be the husband of one wife. Is marriage required? No. Paul himself, who was not married, said that he was able to lead women in a congregation. Is marriage forbidden? No, obviously not. He is, through his marriage, to show commitment and faithfulness to one woman and only one woman. He is to love her exclusively. This would leave out one who has been divorced and remarried. For he would now have more than one wife.
The elder is to have children who believe. Does this require that the children of an elder be saved? Since the condition of the heart is known only to God, then how could man judge such a state? The answer must then be no. The elders children should be raised with Christian guidance, being taught what is right and expected. Instructed in sound doctrine and raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
The children are not to have been accused of dissipation or rebellion. The sons of Eli were known more for their vile and wicked ways than for their ministerial heritage (1 Sam 2:12). The transgressions of the sons in addition to their father’s failure to discipline them resulted in the end of Eli’s line.