Elder’s Qualifications: Family Titus 1:5-9

False Ideas Results –Unqualified men are appointed –Qualified men are not appointed –Only God’s qualifications matter

General Information First Timothy: 16 qualifications Titus: 15 qualifications Seven found only in First Timothy

First Timothy Only Desire the office Respectable Able to teach Gentle Not contentious Not a new convert Good reputation from without

General Information First Timothy: 16 qualifications Titus: 15 qualifications Seven found only in First Timothy Six found only in Titus

Titus Only Having faithful children Holding fast the faithful Word Not self-willed Loving what is good Just Devout

General Information First Timothy: 16 qualifications Titus: 15 qualifications Seven found in First Timothy Six found only in Titus Total of 22 when combined

Must Be A Man A time when this was not questioned –Both passages (1 Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:6) –“Elder” means older man –Women appointed to serve in some denominations

Must Be A Man Men seek to corrupt the church –Leadership placed in men’s hands by God (Genesis 3:16) –Not changed His mind (1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:8-15) –Note: Has to do with role not importance

Must Be A Man Not required of all Christians –Important point to begin to consider –Meet certain qualifications but not “perfect” men

Must Be A Husband of One Wife Unmistakably clear –Literally means “a one woman man” (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6) –Married to one –Rules out polygamy –A Scriptural marriage (Matthew 19:9)

Must Be A Husband of One Wife Corruption –Women placed in leadership roles in denominations –Mormons send out young, single men called “elders” –Some brethren say women can serve as song leaders, ushers, etc.

Must Be A Husband of One Wife Not required of all Christians –Men not required to be married to be a faithful Christian –However, such men cannot serve as elders

Must Be A Father Found in both passages –Rules out men who are husbands but not fathers –Qualification in place to demonstrate ability to lead –Elders lead the church as fathers lead in the home

Must Be A Father Erroneous positions –Man thought he was qualified after marrying a widow with faithful children –Mormon concept fails this test as well –Does not demand an elder’s children to be “perfect”

Must Be A Father Not required of all Christians –Married men can be faithful Christians without being a father –However, those who desire to serve as elders must also be fathers

Conclusion Never water down God’s qualifications Don’t make it impossible for men to be appointed