Qualities of Elders Titus 1:5

Paul in Crete Jews from Crete were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost – Ac 2:11. They could have taken the gospel back to Crete. In the persecution of the church, the gospel could have gone to Crete, as an extension of “Samaria”– Ac 8:1 There were Jews in the church in Crete – Titus 1:10 Paul could have converted some during his time there – Ac 27:7, 8

Titus was to “set in order” ORTHOO – Like an “orthotic”; set in order Used by medical writers of setting broken limbs or straightening crooked ones – Vincent Idea is that Titus is finishing up work that was not completed.

Appoint = Evangelistic Oversight? Does a preacher / evangelist have authority to appoint or dismiss an elder or eldership? Scriptural for a preacher / evangelist to exercise authority over a congregation in the absence of elders? This is the question of “Evangelistic Oversight”

Evangelistic Oversight What is the work of an evangelist? – 2 Tim 4:5, 2 He is therefore to preach the qualifications for an elder – Titus 1:5 He may even be involved in the process – Ac 6:2-6 – Multitude involved – 6:2, 3 – Multitude even chose the men – 6:5 – Multitude were not “over” those “appointed” – 6:6 Fulfilling the qualities then causes the HS to “make” you and elder – Ac 20:28; Eph 6:17 Point: Evangelists are not over the elders!

Evangelistic Oversight Examples: – Heb 5:1 High Priest taken from men; appointed for men Are the men then over the High Priest? – Acts 1:23 Group of 120 proposed two men to take the place of Judas Two names were set forth (appointed); lot fell to Matthias The 120 were involved in the selection and appointment. Were they then in charge of Matthias? – HR Manager: selects and proposes, but does not directly supervise the employee – If Titus could select and appoint elders himself, why even teach on the topic? Just go appoint them!

Authority over a congregation? Only authority Timothy and Titus had were to preach the word – 2 Tim 4:2 Preaching should include the whole council of God – Ac 20:27; 1 Pet 4:11 None have the right (not even elders) to restrict preaching all the Truth revealed in the NT. Preaching should convince, rebuke, exhort – 2 Tim 4:2 Thru preaching, they would “set in order” the things that are lacking” – Titus 1:5 Point: Preachers do not have authority over a congregation with/without elders.

Elders and Evangelists have different work: Elders (Ac 20:28) Take heed to themselves Take heed to the flock They are overseers They are shepherds Evangelists (1 Tim 4:16) Take heed to themselves Take heed to the doctrine (preaching) Preaching (and doing) will save himself and those who hear (and do)