SET IN ORDER. Titus 1:5. There were Jewish Cretans in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost when the Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to take up residence in the church, the body of Christ. It was in its early stages at that time, but people from many places were added to that body. Likely, some of the Jews from Crete were among those who were saved then and would have returned to that island with the good news of the Gospel. The Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Gentiles).”
The Gospel has the power to transform not only the destiny of those who believe its message but also the current lives of those who live by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Scriptural teaching is essential to prevent believers from acting on their opinions or those of false teachers. New believers require the care and guidance of mature saints. Order and proper use of spiritual gifts are crucial for a congregation of believers to be effective in its witness for Christ to the community. Wise men are needed to teach the word of God, know how to care for needy saints and the sick, and watch over the souls of God’s people without partiality. They must be able to restore those who have been “overtaken with a fault” and lead God’s people to the green pastures and still waters of spiritual nourishment and fellowship on the path of righteousness. It is not easy to be responsible for correcting wrongs in an assembly. In addition to organizing "things in order" in Crete, Titus had to identify elders qualified to lead in various assemblies. Sometimes, things that are correct at the start of a project are neglected or altered due to someone's opinion. This might have been because the personal conduct of the saints toward each other needed correction. Wisdom and gracefulness given by the Holy Spirit are essential for finding proper solutions to sensitive issues. Certain qualities must be recognizable for men to qualify as leaders. Elders in one assembly are not necessarily elders in every assembly. Each local congregation has its own elders responsible for its group of believers. It is appropriate to reassure a brother serving as an overseer that we see he is qualified and that we trust him. When this is confirmed to more than one person, the time will come when it should be made known to the entire congregation. Paul left Titus in Crete during one of his journeys. The exact time isn't specified because Paul mainly emphasized that a need existed, and he trusted Titus to handle it. He gave Titus guidance and apostolic authority to appoint elders who met the qualifications. Spiritual maturity is essential for solving problems, which is why “elders” stress the importance of leadership and authority. “Bishops refer to their role as shepherds and the ministry of overseeing the “flock of God.” These titles describe the same individuals, clarifying who they are and what they are supposed to do as they lead the local assemblies of God’s people. A word from God through men often serves as a charge to keep. A word from heaven through the scriptures needs to be turned to, read, and applied to address present needs. When men are slothful, greedy, lazy, and liars by nature, disorder can quickly enter an assembly of God’s people. When each person chooses to speak his mind or loses his temper, things can rapidly decline. Through God’s man, in the proper place and at the right time, comes the word to be spoken face to face. Because of the faithfulness of a spiritual father, changes are made, and lives are restored to order.
Problems can occur in a man’s own home if he is absent when his children approach him with questions and challenges from people who are not Christians. A father's responsibility to his family is to seek the necessary help for a problem and to determine whether something is right or wrong. Wise advice given to our sons and daughters when they face temptation, whether from peers or even school teachers who are anti-Christian, can save a child’s life from being wasted or ruined.
If a godly father and mother are absent or unable to provide biblical counsel, they may turn to an untested source. Pleasant words can be deceptive and might lead a child of God or a Christian’s child astray. Who would you turn to in times of trial if parents cannot answer a problem? God raises up elders with the authority of experience so that a searching individual can approach them with a shepherd’s heart. With the heart of a brother and the power and authority of God's Word and the Holy Spirit, they can help restore order to life and provide what is missing with dignity and grace.
No church is immune to serious problems at times. Challenges can come from various sources, often when we least expect them. It’s common that after experiencing blessings in an assembly, Satan attacks with minor or worldly issues that threaten the peace and effectiveness of the testimony. Make it clear to everyone in that fellowship that there are men in place whose job is to keep the saints informed and progressing with clear goals and tasks to complete. The Spirit of God has entrusted this work to faithful men. He understands that an assembly needs one another to sustain joyful fellowship and strong leadership to maintain proper order.