Lesson 564

(Lesson 564)(03-03-13) Titus Chapter 1, "Paul, a servant of God, and 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 Saviour; To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 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 hospitality, 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. 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 alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 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 from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

Today's is another lesson wherein Paul warns Titus and the faithful against those who would distort the truth of the Gospel. Paul said, "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.

As we study the New Testament and learn about the beginnings of the Christian Church as it grew among the Gentiles, we must remember how Paul, unlike Peter, fought against the constant drive to inject Jewish pomp and ritualistic influence onto the Gentile believers. They demanded things that were in clear contradiction with the gospel.

Today the true Church, Just as Paul predicted, struggles to stand up against pressure from those who would twist the true doctrine of Jesus Christ so that it is monetarily beneficial to those who would preach it. They separate the children of God into classes by wearing distinguishing robes and other disgusting bling. There are ceremonies demanded that are totally absent from the commandment of Jesus Himself.

Those of us who believe there should be perfection in the preaching of God's word should stand up and demand that the Church be returned to its original, authorized, task which is to spread the promise of the amazing grace of God through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the remittance of sins for those who simply believe in Him.~