Choosing a Pastor
Church Leadership in the New Testament, Part 6
Qualifications of an Elder, I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
“A bishop then must be... apt to teach;” (didaktikon, ; apt and skilful
in teaching, qualified to teach). The elders in the church are all to be apt to teach
(Remember that the NT always speaks of a plurality of elders or pastors). This does
not meant that one or several could not be the primary teacher or teachers. Ideally,
they would have a variety of gifts that could be exercised in the various functions
of leadership in the church. This concept detracts from the common notion of requiring
the one pastor to be a “superman,” master of all the gifts.
Titus expands on this theme by presenting some of the responsibilities that require
the elder to know God’s word well enough to be “apt to teach.” Titus 1:9 speaks of
the elder, “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 (contradictors).”
Later verses mention those who are “vain talkers and deceivers… whose mouths must
be stopped, …Wherefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.”
One does not “exhort”, “convince the gainsayers,” “stop the mouths of vain talkers
and deceivers, etc.” by just telling them to “be quiet.” This task must be accomplished
in the power of the Holy Spirit, boldly with truth (learned Bible doctrine) and love
(Eph. 4:15). This is hardly a task for one who cannot stand firmly upon God’s Word
and know why he does.
Let us also remember, although these are requirements that must be met before a
bishop is appointed, that most of these criteria are also commands to believers in
general. II Tim. 2:24, tells us that “the servant of the Lord must... be... apt to
teach...” (same Greek word). This is not just for elders. All of us should be “servants
of the Lord” and all of us, in one form or another, should be “apt to teach.” None
of us who are believers are exempt. The methods and circumstances will vary but the
command still stands (I Cor. 12:4-6; I Tim 2:12; Titus 2:2, 4).
The context gives us a hint on how we can become “apt to teach.” It makes sense
that before you can teach something, you must know it. Verse 15, tells us, “Study
(lit. be diligent, speed up) to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” This task is not optional.
The widespread disobedience to this command is a major reason that the Church is
so anemic in the spiritual battle. Most Christian’s doctrinal stand is as strong
as the last entertaining speaker that they heard. If we do not stand for God’s Word,
we will fall for anything.
You might say that you do not have much time for Bible study. It is true that no
one else can judge precisely how you can spend your time. God’s word says to be diligent
in this endeavor, so He has a reason for it and it can be done. May I suggest that
it will cost you something to become proficient in “rightly dividing the word of
truth.” It might mean reevaluating our priorities like turning off the TV, or even
giving it away. Let us look at our activities with eternal values in view. It may
even require something “radical” or “unreasonable” like forsaking something secure
and comfortable in our lives and actually trusting God. Luke 12:42-48, relates the
tremendous loss experienced by the “servant which knew his lord’s will and prepared
not himself, neither did according to his will” (v49). Certainly not a declaration
of “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23).
What about women teaching? Doesn’t I Timothy 2:12 forbid woman from teaching? “But
I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”
No, this verse is not saying that a woman cannot teach. It is telling us that she
may not teach a man in the manner of usurping authority over the man. “Silence” here
does not mean “without a sound.” It means “with a quiet spirit.” This also fits the
context.
Titus 2:3,4, exhorts the older women to teach the younger women some important facets
of family and Christian life. The following verses which instruct us as believers
to teach others are “gender-generic:” II Tim. 2:24; Col. 3:16; Heb. 5:12.
Both men and women should teach others by our example. II Cor. 3:2, speaks of believers
being “epistles... known and read of all men.” Our lives may be the only representative
of God’s word that some may see. Surely, a Godly testimony is essential if people
are going to listen to us as we present the Good News of Salvation (Matt. 5:16; John
13:35; Titus 3:8).
Heb. 5:11-14, presents a dismal commentary concerning believers who have not grown
past infancy and still require “baby-food.” In time, they should have become teachers
(v12), but apparently, did not use what God had provided for them (v14) and remained
stunted in their growth. I Pet. 2:2 instructs us, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere
milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” It is no disgrace to start life as an
infant but it is sin and a tragedy to remain one.
The man who qualifies for the office of bishop has not always been “apt to teach.”
We shall see later that he must not be a novice (lit. neophyte, newly-planted). By
implication, he once was a novice. He had to start somewhere. He grew by doing just
what every believer is commanded to do; “Study to show thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
II Pet. 3:15; “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give
an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness
and fear.”
