Who was Titus and what responsibility did he have to the saints in Crete?
Titus 1:1-5
1Paul, a aservant of God, and an bapostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s celect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4To Titus, amine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in aorder the things that are wanting, and bordain celders in every city, as I had dappointed thee:
We gain a little bit of information here - It seems Titus is a bishop in Crete and he is to organize the saints there with the priesthood.
Titus. Apparently converted by Paul, perhaps at Antioch (Titus 1:4). Attended the conference at Jerusalem about circumcision (Gal. 2:1); probably with Paul on his third missionary journey; sent by him to Corinth as the bearer of 1 Cor., 2 Cor. 7:6–7, 13, 15. He then returned to Paul in Macedonia, and was again sent to Corinth with 2 Cor. and with instructions about a collection for the poor of Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:4–7). After this we have no mention of him for eight years. At the conclusion of Paul’s first imprisonment at Rome, Titus joined him at Ephesus, and they went together to Crete, where Titus remained and where he received a letter from Paul with instructions about his work and asking him to come to Nicopolis (Titus 1:5; 3:12). Later on he was sent on a mission to Dalmatia (2 Tim. 4:10).
So this doesn't seem to give us very much more information about what Titus did in Crete, but it seems that basically he was left by Paul to organize the saints and keep an eye on them to make sure everything was going okay and they were following the laws of the church correctly.
What are the attributes of a Bishop?
6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of ariot or unruly.
7For a abishop must be blameless, as the bsteward of God; not cselfwilled, not soon dangry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to aconvince the bgainsayers.
2A bishop then must be ablameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, bsober, of good behaviour, given to chospitality, apt to dteach;
3Not given to awine, no bstriker, not greedy of cfilthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
7Moreover he must have a good areport of them which are bwithout; lest he fall into reproach and the csnare of the devil.
This is the list I made - But I think it's perfectly clear from the scriptures what a Bishop should be like. I thought it was interesting that in Timothy it said those who desire to be a Bishop and preside and take care of the ward desires a good thing. I never though of desiring to be called to a calling except as a missionary. But I suppose it could apply to all callings.
2. He must be a righteous man (blameless) Meaning the members of the ward don't know a bunch of wrong stuff he did and then not want to follow him when it comes to the things of the kingdom.
3. Not selfish, or he must be giving.
4. He shouldn't have a bad temper.
5. Doesn't drink to get drunk (in this day of age when wine was always drunk to kill bacteria in the water that was not sanitized or safe and because it stayed good and didn't go bad like juices) But now - doesn't drink at all.
6. Doesn't strike others or his family, I think physical or with words.
7. Not greedy or wanting a lot of money (lucre)
8. Love of hospitality - or willing to give him home, time, and efforts to help others.
9. Knows the doctrine so he can stay faithful and to help the people in his ward understand. Also to be able to correct people who lie or are ignorant of the true doctrine.
What are problems that Paul identified that existed in Crete?
11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy alucre’s sake.
12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, aslow bellies.
15aUnto the pure all things are bpure: but unto them that are cdefiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their dmind and econscience is fdefiled.
16They aprofess that they bknow God; but in cworks they ddeny him, being abominable, and edisobedient, and unto every good work freprobate.
Some Jews (those who were circumcised) were lying about doctrine to get money. They were really lazy and wanted to get gain off the less knowledgeable converts in the area. Paul was saying they need to not listen to the Jewish fables and incorrect doctrine. They were also disobedient and they good works were worthless - so perhaps they did it just for the sight of men. They say they believe in God and the gospel but they don't really care about it.
This is what the class manual had to say about it - It's the CES New Testament Manuel, this is found on page 373. You can get an online version of it here.
(45-5) Titus 1:12. The Nature and Character of the Cretans
Paul’s reference to Cretans as “liars, evil beasts, slow bellies” may have been borrowed from Epimenides, a Greek poet who lived in the sixth century B.C. Using this admittedly strong language, Paul condemns the false teachers on Crete for perverting the gospel in order to make money (vs. 11). This corresponds with the reputation of the Cretans for greed and avariciousness (greedy, covetous), as reported by such ancient writers as Cicero, Livy, Plutarch, and Polybius. Historically, the name Cretan came to be synonymous with dishonesty. Their reputation for lying became so commonly known that the name became both a verb (kretidzein, meaning “to speak like a Cretan” or “to lie”) and a noun (kretismos, literally, “Cretan behavior,” which equaled “lying”). Slow bellies is better translated idle bellies and carries the idea of lazy gluttony that leads to extreme obesity. Some argue that Paul, an apostle, would not slur a whole group of people in making his point. But as you read it carefully, Paul is applying it to those who would bring false teachings into the church. In all of his letters, he does not hesitate to speak sharply and strongly about such wickedness.
It seems as if the people of Crete had a habit of lying - Hence the phrase "You CREATANS!" (Said with anger and frustration). It looks like that the area had a lot of lazy lying people - wait that kind of reminds me of a lot of the people of today.
What did Paul encourage Titus to speak of?
Titus 2:1
1But aspeak thou the things which become sound bdoctrine:
Paul encouraged Paul to speak about sound doctrine. We can know doctrine is sound when it is given to us by someone in authority - The Prophet who is the only one authorized to interpret doctrine and he will give new doctrine after he receives revelation and has talked it over with the presidency and most likely all the apostles - or if we get it from canonized scripture.
What impact did Paul say the doctrine would have upon the aged?
Titus 2:1
1But aspeak thou the things which become sound bdoctrine:
Paul encouraged Paul to speak about sound doctrine. We can know doctrine is sound when it is given to us by someone in authority - The Prophet who is the only one authorized to interpret doctrine and he will give new doctrine after he receives revelation and has talked it over with the presidency and most likely all the apostles - or if we get it from canonized scripture.
What impact did Paul say the doctrine would have upon the aged?
Titus 2:2-3
2That the aaged men be bsober, grave, ctemperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
2That the aaged men be bsober, grave, ctemperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not afalse baccusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
So it looks like that it would make them more Christ-like in a nutshell.
How could this also apply to the young?
5To be discreet, achaste, bkeepers at chome, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, agravity, bsincerity,
Basically the young would learn from the old's example and also be good more Christ-like people. We need good examples and teachers.
How can we be patient with new members of the church?
3For we ourselves also were asometimes foolish, bdisobedient, deceived, serving divers clusts and pleasures, living in dmalice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
5Not by works of arighteousness which we have done, but according to his bmercy he saved us, by the cwashing of regeneration, and drenewing of the Holy Ghost;
Basically don't think that others are silly or bad because we all make mistakes. No one is above making mistakes and being prone to weaknesses so matter how long we have tried to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will not become perfect in this life. We have to know that we ALL need Jesus Christ. We desperately need him, if we are the new convert or the prophet of the church, we cannot enter heaven without him. We all rely on the mercy and merits of Jesus Christ we have gained through the ordinances of the gospel. So try to be like him and have kindness and love to those who are new or struggling.
What role does the Lord's grace have in our salvation?
These were the references given.
5Not by works of arighteousness which we have done, but according to his bmercy he saved us, by the cwashing of regeneration, and drenewing of the Holy Ghost;
7That being ajustified by his grace, we should be made bheirs according to the hope of eternal life.
6Wherefore, aredemption cometh in and through the bHoly cMessiah; for he is full of dgrace and truth.
7Behold, he offereth himself a asacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto bnone else can the cends of the law be answered.
8Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, asave it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who blayeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the cresurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
4And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and acleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the bchurch of Christ; and their cnames were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually dwatchful unto prayer, erelying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
32Yea, acome unto Christ, and be bperfected in him, and cdeny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and dlove God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be eperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye asanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the bblood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your csins, that ye become dholy, without spot.
3Listen to him who is the aadvocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—
4Saying: Father, behold the asufferings and bdeath of him who did no csin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be dglorified;
5Wherefore, Father, spare these my abrethren that bbelieve on my name, that they may come unto me and have ceverlasting life.
THE BOTTOM LINE - You will not have eternal life (life after death in the presence of the Father) without the grace of Jesus Christ. Plain and simple - YOU NEED JESUS THE CHRIST!!!!
What is meant by foolish questions and genealogies and what can you do to stay grounded in sound doctrine and avoid foolishness?
9But avoid afoolish questions, and genealogies, and bcontentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
I would say foolish questions and genealogies would be things that aren't necessary, mysteries that you feel you need to know for some reason. Also asking questions to find fault and error rather than searching for truth. Perhaps debating and bible bashing to content the law or the commandments. Rationalizing the law or the commandments.
This is what the CES New Testament manual said on page 374
(45-10) Titus 3:9. Why “Avoid Foolish Questions, and Genealogies, and Contentions, and
Strivings About the Law”?
Strivings About the Law”?
“There is no converting power in debate and contention. Christ’s ministers are to teach, not to argue. Missionaries go forth, for instance, to “declare glad tidings,” with this restriction: ‘Of
tenets thou shalt not talk’ (D.& C. 19:20–31), meaning they are to teach and explain the basic doctrines of salvation and not engage in contentions and strivings about the doctrines of sectarianism. “Linked here with contentions and strivings about the Law of Moses, these refer to the false Jewish tradition that salvation was for the chosen seed as such was known by genealogical recitations. In this dispensation, the Lord has commanded genealogical research as an essential requisite in making salvation available to those who do not have opportunity to receive the gospel in this life.” (McConkie, DNTC, 3:127.)
tenets thou shalt not talk’ (D.& C. 19:20–31), meaning they are to teach and explain the basic doctrines of salvation and not engage in contentions and strivings about the doctrines of sectarianism. “Linked here with contentions and strivings about the Law of Moses, these refer to the false Jewish tradition that salvation was for the chosen seed as such was known by genealogical recitations. In this dispensation, the Lord has commanded genealogical research as an essential requisite in making salvation available to those who do not have opportunity to receive the gospel in this life.” (McConkie, DNTC, 3:127.)
Basically all you need to know are the basic principles of the gospel. Don't go delving into false doctrines or traditions. The saints of this time were going into "genealogies" by saying the Jews were the chosen people that would receive the kingdom of heaven, from what I understand, and this is false doctrine.
I would think to stay grounded in sound doctrine is to get things from the proper sources and lines of authority - don't listen to word of mouth. Get your learning from the scriptures and modern day prophets.
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