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Home NT Studies & Discernment Paul’s Letter to Titus on Sound Bible Doctrine

Paul’s Letter to Titus on Sound Bible Doctrine

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Kato Mivule | July 12, 2009

A study of Paul’s letter to Titus clearly shows that Paul the apostle was greatly concerned about the spiritual state of the Church in Crete that he found it imperative to write to Titus to address the need for Sound Bible Doctrine in the local Church at Crete.

It is very evident from the writings of Paul the apostle to Titus that the Church at that point in history was already under attack from false preachers and false teachings. Paul had to write to Titus with instructions on how Titus and the Church Leadership in Crete were supposed to deal with false doctrine and the importance of Sound Bible Doctrine.

This is one letter of Paul that every Christian Leader should be very aware of. Paul the apostle categorically calls for the Church to hold to Sound Bible Doctrine and for the Leadership in Crete to deal decisively with the issue of False Teachers and False Teachings.

We do not see Paul call for a “Revival” meeting or an “Overnight Prayer Meeting” when writing to the saints in Crete. Rather we see Paul the apostle call for saints to be given to Sound Bible Doctrine.

In my contacts with Christians and Pastors from Africa, many at times would argue that they simply needed to “pray hard”, fast, and call for a “revival”. Yet we do not see such a thing in the New Testament. If there is any backsliding and a following after the ways of the world inside the Church, it most assuredly has roots in False Teachings and False Teachers.

Paul’s Letter to Titus is certainly not a “feel good” gospel but is meant for Christians who truly love Jesus Christ and ready to move away from Childish things to Maturity in Jesus Christ, to godliness and Truth in Christ Jesus.

Truth that is after godliness…
Titus 1:1-3
(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;
(2)  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
(3)  But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
Paul the apostle does an interesting introduction to Titus, pointing out his duties as a Christian Leader and one given to the spiritual welfare of the saints. Paul acknowledges himself as follows…
  • A Servant of God…
  • An apostle of Jesus Christ according to the Faith of God’s Elect…
  • Acknowledgement of Truth which leads to godliness…
  • The Word of God being committed to him according to the commandment of God our Savior…
In all we see that Paul was committed to Truth of God’s Word that produces godly character. This is a challenge that we have as ministers today… Is the Truth that we preach or claim to teach lead anyone to godliness as defined in the New Testament?
We hear so many teachings but that only lead folks to love for the world and desire for more materialism…  

The key in this verse is that Paul was committed to Truth of God’s Word that certainly produces the Character of Jesus Christ in us and not the Character of the World.

Why is it that godly Character after the likeness of Jesus Christ is something not emphasized in Churches today? Is it that the “truth” many claim to hear and follow does not lead to a godly character but a worldly character?

Why is it that greed, materialism, homosexuality, sodomy, and many other vices are the trade marks of many so-called Christians leaders today? Is it that the “truth” they claim to hear is not actually truth but lies from Satan that produce a worldly character?

Titus left in Crete to set things in Order…
Titus 1:5-7
(5)  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:
(6)  If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
(7)  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
(9)  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.
Paul the apostle makes some remarkable statement in this verse: Titus was left in Crete to set things in order. This scripture shows us that perhaps there was some sort of disorder in the Church at Crete and a lack of leadership that was grounded in Sound Bible Doctrine.

There was need to set things in order in Crete. There was need for New Leadership that was given to sound Bible Doctrine and godly character, leaders that could discern false teachings and deal with the false teachers. In brief Paul requested that Titus do the following:
  • Stay in Crete and set things in order to…
  • Appoint Leaders in every City in the manner in which Paul appointed Titus…
  • The Leaders to be appointed were to be of godly character…
  • The Leaders are to be husbands of one wife…Family was central to a healthy Church…
  • The Leaders are to have faithful Children…well disciplined children…
  • The Leaders are to be blameless…not given to scandals…
  • The Leaders are not to be self-willed…in other words stubborn, obstinate, immovable, inflexible, obdurate, and unyielding… Basically ‘control freaks’…’My Way or the Highway’ types…
  • The Leaders are not to be given to wine…not drunkards…
  • The Leaders are not to be Strikers…none violent…
  • The Leaders are not to be given to filthy lucre, not lovers of money; not greedy after money… Yes, the love of money has destroyed the faith of many Christian leaders today…
  • The Leaders are supposed to be given to Sound Bible Doctrine… They were supposed to be able to teach and instruct Christians concerning the Teachings and Sayings of Jesus Christ… They are to hold fast the faithful word.
  • We have many Christian Leaders today in the Church that are not faithful to the Teachings and Sayings of Jesus Christ… Such folks ought not to be in Christian Leadership at all…
  • These Christian leaders are supposed to be able to stand by Sound Bible Doctrine and teachings of Jesus Christ and refute the gainsayers, liars, and false teachers who always seek to gain access to derail the faith of many…
We see that the issue of Christian Leaders given to Sound Bible Doctrine is imperative to the welfare of any Christians. The lack of Christian Leaders who remain faithful to the Teachings and sayings of Jesus Christ is part of what is causing the ‘Crisis in Christianity’ today.

This is why I suggest to many Christians in Africa and in the West that it is important that Christians fellowship with Saints and Christian Leaders who are given to Sound Bible Doctrine and REMAIN FAITHFUL to the Teachings  and Sayings of Jesus Christ as we have them laid down for us in the New Testament.

Christian Leaders must Discern and Confront the Wolves…
Titus 1:10-16
(10)  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision:
(11)  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
(12)  One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
(13)  This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
(14)  Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
(15)  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.
(16)  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
True Christian Leaders must be able to discern the wolves in sheepskin, the false prophets, and false teachers, and must be able to take a stand for the truth and ‘confront’ and drive out the wolves from among the Saints of God by exposing liars and their lies; and Teaching the saints Sound Bible Doctrine.

Many Church leaders claim that they are afraid to confront liars and false preachers because they don’t want to ‘offend’ anyone. Such are like Shepherds who flee when they see a wolf attack the sheep.

Yet we see Paul writing to Titus to confront the liars and false teachers. Paul was not at any time telling Titus to simply avoid dealing with false teachers and liars but rather as a leader left to set things in order in the Church at Crete, Titus was to deal, head-on with the issue of false teachings and the false teachers themselves.

Secondly, we see that this was not out of character for Paul the apostle to do, not even Jesus Christ…both confronted false teachers and wolves, and protected their sheep from the wiles of wolves in sheep’s skin.

One of the traits of a true Christian Leader is that they must be able to discern false teachings and also confront the false liars… True Christian Leaders must be able to rebuke Christians who follow after wolves and liars…

So, we see that Paul address the following issues in the Church at Crete which are the same problems the Church faces today…
  • There were many unruly and vain talkers – disorderly and unproductive talkers in the Church at Crete…
  • There were many deceivers in the Church at Crete especially of the Circumcision group – those who believed that Salvation was by the Law…
  • These deceivers had to be stopped in the Church…
  • These deceivers always take control of households by manipulation and teach false teachings for the sake of filthy lucre – money… It is interesting that today technology has enabled many false teachers to take control of household through Radio and TV. Many false teachers use TV to reach millions of people for the sake of money…
  • Paul notes that the folks in Crete were lairs, lazy, evil beasts, and slow bellies – lazy gluttons - greedy… The culture in Crete was affecting the spiritual life of Christians in the Church… The Church was becoming like the world around them…
  • Paul argues Titus to strongly rebuke the Christians in Crete that they might be sound in faith…sounds much like Christianity today… There is need for strong rebuke to Christians that they might be sound in faith and not given to being like the world around them.
  • Titus was to make sure that the saints were not given to false teachings of Jewish circumcision group who taught that salvation was by the Law of Moses…
  • Titus was to take a stand against the teachings of men – the commandments of men - the do and don’ts in the Church…the false teachings of men that they teach as commands of God…
  • Paul warns Titus that there are many false teachers whose minds and conscience are defiled and they teach impurity…teachings that lead to ungodliness… Remember Paul introduced himself to Titus in that he (Paul) was given to Truth that leads to godliness…
  • Paul warns Titus that these deceivers, liars, and false teachers profess to know God but deny him through what they do...
  • These false teachers and liars always say ‘Lord, Lord’ but deny the power of The Lord that Transforms Sinners to Saints…they deny godliness, they deny the Teachings and Sayings of Jesus Christ, they twist scripture for the sake of filthy lucre…
  • Paul warns Titus that these false teachers are abominable – that is repulsive, disgusting, sickening, and filthy in their conduct…
  • Paul warns Titus that these false teachers are reprobate in every good work – they always have hidden motives as to why they do any good work…
  • They might help the poor but with hidden motives to make more money and a name for themselves.
  • Their works are reprobate – that is degenerate, good for nothing, and evil motivated.  
  • I know of many false teachers on Christian TV today who fly all the way to Africa, claiming to help poor people but only go to Africa to increase the profile of their ministries and increasing donations so as to live a comfortable life in the west…
Sound Doctrine and godliness…
Titus 2:1-6
(1)  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
(2)  That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
(3)  The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
(4)  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
(5)  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
(6)  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Sound Bible Doctrine was central to the spiritual life of the early church combined with a life of godliness and righteous living before The Lord.  

We see in the scripture above that Paul the apostle writes to Titus, telling him to speak things which are in line with Sound Bible Doctrine or Sound Bible Teachings. Sound Bible Doctrine was central and imperative to the life of the early Church.

Today we have many so-called Christian leaders who always teach and speak things on their church pulpits that totally contradict the Teachings in the New Testament and or they twist scripture around to support their own schemes for the sake of filthy lucre – money.

False teachers and false preachers always speak things that contradict scriptures in one way or the other – false preachers are always full of contradictions. False teachers always find ways to twist scriptures for their own gain and this is something that any serious Christian must watch for. Test all that you read and hear with The Word of God.

We also note that Paul admonishes Titus on the Christian Character. Not only were the saints in Crete to keep to sound bible teachings, but they also had to keep to a godly Christian character after the likeness of Jesus Christ.

We see that men specifically had to be ‘sound in faith’… Men being the leaders of their families had to guard their families against wolves too. Men had to exercise discernment and ground their families in the faith.

Today many men have been striped off the responsibility of being ‘Sound in Faith’; instead they relegate this responsibility to Pastors and other Church leaders. However, Paul commands Titus that men ought to be sound in faith – given to Sound Bible Teachings.

Today many Churches don’t emphasize teachings on a righteous life, if they do, they instead emphasize legalism. However, Sound Bible Doctrine and teachings go along with a godly Character.

It is not that Christians are perfected but it is God’s Word that perfects us. The Teachings and sayings of Jesus Christ is what bring us to perfection. As Christians dwell and abide in the teachings of Jesus Christ, the fruit of righteousness is the result as Christians allow the sanctification process of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

I remember a Pastor in Africa who told me that it was useless to keep to Sound Bible Doctrine because no one is perfect… However, we do not keep Sound Bible Doctrine because we are perfect but rather that we be perfected.

No one can be perfect on their own but God’s Word and the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth, Truth being God’s Word, perfects us. When we abide in Christ and keep His Words, then we grow in the likeness of His Character…

So, two important points that Paul the apostle points out to Titus here is…
  • Sound Bible Doctrine…
  • Godly Character…
In Doctrine showing incorruptness, seriousness, and sincerity…
Titus 2:7-8
 (7)  In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
(8)  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
I have come across some so-called Bible Teachers especially in the End Time Bible Prophecy Movement, who claim to stick to Sound Bible Doctrine and claim to be knowledgeable in all matters of the Faith yet they cleverly twist scriptures to support their own views and theories.

Many are not sincere at all and often will not acknowledge that they do not know but will strongly twist scripture to push their own views by adding to and subtracting from scriptures. Paul the apostle writes to Titus reminding him that he be sincere when it comes to dealing with scriptures.  

Sincerity involves letting scripture speak for itself and not adding or subtracting from the word of God. Sincerity involves letting scripture be read in context and not out of context. Sincerity involves studying the whole counsel of God’s God concerning any particular subject – the total sum of God’s Word is Truth. Sincerity involves acknowledging our lack of full understanding especially when it comes to Bible Prophecy…for we know in part and also prophecy in part.  

Paul commends that Titus be serious and uncorrupted when it comes to Sound Bible Doctrine. Many Christian Leaders today are totally not serious when it comes to Sound Bible Teachings, rather they are serious about fleshy matters like how to make more money and live a rich lifestyle. Yet many today have been deceived and corrupted when it comes to sound bible doctrine by compromising and watering down the Word of God.

I caught a Pastor in the USA teaching on a Sunday service that Jesus Christ did not really mean what He said when it came to the topic of Hell… Such Pastors are compromised and corrupted, teaching things that are sweet in the ears of their listeners.

It is important that any serious Christian show great concern when it comes to sound bible doctrine with…
  • Sincerity - Integrity…
  • Incorruptness – Honesty…
  • Gravity – Seriousness…
The Grace of God Teaches us to Deny Ungodliness…
Titus 2:9-14
(9)  Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
(10)  Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
(11)  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
(12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
(13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
(14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Paul the apostle makes a very powerful point and statement here in Titus chapter two, that the Grace of God has appeared to all men TEACHING US TO DENY UNGODLINESS…

This very important point as it must have been an issue in the Church at Crete. Christians might have thought that since we live in “Times of Grace”, they would be free to sin without any consequences as is the ‘eternal security’ teachings in many churches today.  

Yet Paul reminds Christians in Crete that God’s Grace actually teaches us to deny ungodliness.

What many Pastors and Preachers teach today as Grace is not True Grace from God but a ‘greasy grace’ or a pseudo grace that only leads men not to repentance but indulgence in deeper sin and evil.

If truly men have experienced the Grace of God then they would be led to repentance and a life of denying all ungodliness.

What has destroyed the Western Church the most is the false teaching from Satan called ‘Eternal Security’ – Once Saved Always Saved Doctrine in which Western Bible Teachers teach that once some one “accepts Christ in their heart” as Savior, they cannot lose their salvation regardless of what sins they do…this teaching is from Hell and as one brother called it, it is a ‘Hiss of the Serpent’ called Satan.

Many Christians live totally godless and unrighteous lives while claiming that they “accepted Jesus in their hearts”, they totally disregard God’s Word, teach heresies, and twist scriptures to justify ungodly lives, all in the Name of Eternal Security.

This type of ‘Grace’ emitting from the Western Church is a pseudo grace and a ‘greasy grace’, it is a type of grace that leads men not to repentance and only increases ungodliness. Many false teachers in the West are now promoting this type of pseudo grace in Africa too.

Yet Paul is clear that the True Grace of God leads us to Repentance and teaches us to deny Ungodliness…

Speak these things with all authority…
Titus 2:15
(15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Paul insists that Titus ‘speak these things’ with all authority… Which ‘things’ did Titus have to speak with all authority? It was the things Paul the apostle was writing about in the above scriptures from Chapter one…

It was Sound Bible Doctrine and Teachings that Titus had to speak with all authority. An important point here is that any serious Christian Leader will keep to the authority of the scriptures and not the authority on men. Many so-called Christian Leaders lead by presumption and with no authority because they negate scriptures and water down The Word of God.

When a Christian Leader casts away Sound Bible Doctrine and stays not faithful to the Teachings and sayings of Jesus Christ, they lose their authority and cannot speak with all authority concerning the scriptures.

It is important that Christians know that true Christian Authority comes from being faithful to the Teachings and Sayings of Jesus Christ. True Bible Authority for any Christian Leader will come from being faithful to Sound Bible Doctrine and keeping to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Paul exhorts Titus that let no man despise him. There are many powerful pseudo preachers out there and they greatly despise those who hold to sound bible doctrine. They despise Christians who choose to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Yet Paul encourages Titus to stand his ground and never allow fake preachers and teachers or any one for that matter to despise him.  

Titus was also to exhort – insist on – be firm when it comes to Sound Bible Doctrine, and Rebuke the gainsayers and Christians who get taken by various winds of false doctrines.

In summary Titus was to…
  • Speak Sound Bible Teachings…
  • Exhort according to Sound Bible Teachings…
  • Rebuke according to Sound Bible Teachings…
Ministry to the Outside World…with All Patience…
Titus 3:1-7
(1)  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
(2)  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.
(3)  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
(4)  But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
(5)  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
(6)  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;
(7)  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Paul the apostle reminds Titus about ministry to the outside world – ministry to those who are not Christians yet. First that Christians at Crete had to be subject and respectful of the ruling secular authorities in their communities.

It might have been that many Christians during the early church were not so happy with the Roman Authorities. It seems that Christians reacted in unchristian ways towards the secular rulers then, perhaps because the secular rulers did not espouse a “Christian Biblical” centered rule.

However, Paul reminds Titus that he has to tell the Christians in Crete to be respectful and subject to the secular authorities. This was not to worship idols and the gods of the Roman empire but to be Law abiding, pay their taxes, and give no excuse to the Roman Authorities that Christians were using ‘religion’ as a form of insurrection.

We must remember that there were pockets of insurrections against the Roman Empire then and perhaps some Christians were tempted to join such insurrections.

Yet many Christians were killed during the Roman Empire times but not because they were Rebels and Insurgents against the Roman Government, rather they were killed because of their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ and His Word. They were killed because they loved Jesus Christ.

Today we have many Christians especially in America who are deceived by the Dominion – Kingdom Now Doctrine – Political Christianity, that Christians must take over secular governments to further the Kingdom of God. Such Christians see politics as a means of taking over governments to enforce the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many such Christians are at loggerheads with ‘Liberal’ Governments which they see as destroying their so-called Christian Heritage. Many have spoken of taking up guns and defending their “rights” and Constitution. Brethren, do not be deceived by such Christians, they are liars and on their way to destruction unless they repent.

The testimony of many Christians in America towards the Obama administration for example was and is still horrible, many view him with pure hate just because he is a secular liberal President…many hate him because he does not promote “Christian Values”…such hate is unwarranted, for neither were the Romans supportive of “Christian Values” during Paul’s time…

Yet Political Christians continue to spew hate on their Radios, TV, and Internet against the ‘Liberal Secular Leaders’…this ought not to be so and is totally unbiblical and satanic at best.

Paul’s message to the Christians in Crete applies to us today. There is no need to engage in rebellion, insurrections, hate speech against the secular rulers just because they are not Christian. Rather Christians must be ready to give reason for their faith and also suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ.  

Paul reminds Titus that we ourselves were once lost and evil and wicked in our deeds. Paul goes ahead to remind Titus of the need for patience when reaching out to those who are not Christians.  

Patience is key word here and even many in the Discernment ministry especially across the internet get very impatient with Christians who do not receive their messages. Yet this ought not to be so. Many try to force results when they teach and evangelize; they expect results that people will change overnight. Yet this is not the case.

Patience is central in this scripture and even though Titus has to rebuke his listeners sharply in the faith, yet the context was to do it with all patience and love in Jesus Christ; this is something that we all who engage in ministry of discernment have to remember and grow in.

No one has a right to ‘write-off’ any one and or damn any one to hell…The Lord can change anyone anytime...you never know if you might be speaking to a Saul soon to be a Paul… Your job is to preach the word and let The Lord deal with the hearts of men…let The Lord deal with the results.

Remember that you were also once a sinner or deceived just like they are and it took the Grace of The Lord to straighten you out… Yes, rebuke sharply, exhort, encourage, correct but with all patience and love in Christ Jesus.

Sound Bible Doctrine goes along with good works…
Titus 3:8-9
(8)  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
(9)  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Throughout his letter to Titus, Paul emphasized the need for Sound Bible Doctrine but that was not enough. Sound Bible Doctrine should produce good fruit and good character. As we saw earlier, the Grace of God leads to repentance and denying or renouncing of all ungodliness.

The Christians in Crete had to keep to good works and maintain them as Christians. Yet the same is very true for Christians today. Many Christians go to the extreme of just maintaining good works but discard Sound Bible Doctrine.

You cannot separate Charity from the Cross. Yet many Christian None Governmental Organizations have gone the path of just doing good works but void of the message of the Cross of Jesus Christ. This ought not to be so…Charity and the Cross of Jesus Christ must go hand in hand… If you love Jesus Christ, you will keep His sayings…

Secondly Paul warns Titus to avoid foolish arguments about the Law, genealogies, and contentions as they are unprofitable and in vain. We must remember that Paul at the start of his ministry, in the Book of Acts, had a number of debates and arguments with Jews and Pharisees yet from this experience Paul seems to have got to a point were he did not need to engage in ‘foolish’ arguments anymore…

It seemed that those Paul argued with were only interested in their earthly legacies, strivings of the Law, and genealogies but not the things of God in Christ Jesus.

The Word of God was, is and will always be clear and those who reject the word of God find arguments and contentions as a place to escape the responsibilities that come with knowing the Truth.

What should be done with False Teachers? Reject the Heretics…
Titus 3:10-11
(10)  A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject;
(11)  Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
The question many Christians ask is that what should one do with false teachers and heretics – those who teach Bible heresy? Should Christians continue to seat under the teachings of such men?

Yet Paul the apostle is very strong on this point that those who continue to teach heresy should be rejected after the first and second warnings. This means a confrontation with the heretic and those teaching heresy for two times and if they do not change, they should be rejected and have nothing to do with them.

The question is who is a heretic? This is one who teaches false doctrines, teachings that contradict the Doctrine of Jesus Christ. These are folks who teach doctrines of men with purpose to deceive and lie. Such are to be rejected after only two warnings…

The question is that who will warn the brothers who fall prey to heresy and false teachings? Someone has to do that ministry… However, heretics who do not repent are to be rejected and have nothing to do with their ministries.

Christians should maintain the good works…
Titus 3:12-15
(12)  When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
(13)  Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
(14)  And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
(15)  All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Paul the apostle ends his letter to Titus by reminding him that Christians need to maintain good works and the context was the support of true ministers of The Lord. We see that Zenas the Lawyer and Apollos had to be sent on their ministry journey with support from the local church at Crete.

Paul worked with his hands and supported his ministry with ‘Tent Making’, yet he also saw the need that at times ministers had to be supported by the local Church for the sake of ministry.

The trouble is that many true ministers are not helped and supported yet many false preachers have all the money they need to continue teaching heresy. This ought not to be so. Any serious Christians will find it important to help and support true ministers in need so that they can preach the gospel.

In Christ Jesus
Kato Mivule