____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ September 24, 2006 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) An Introduction to Titus (Mark Mayberry) 2) A Resurrected Life (David Smitherman) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- An Introduction to Titus by Mark Mayberry Titus Although Titus is not mentioned in the book of Acts, it is clear from Paul's epistles that he was a trusted and dear friend. Titus was a Greek (Gal. 2:3) who had been converted by Paul (Tit. 1:4). He accompanied Paul to the Jerusalem council which is spoken of in Acts 15 and Galatians 2. Paul went to Jerusalem to settle the issue of whether the Gentiles had to keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved. Controversy centered around Titus, and he became a test case. The Judaizing teachers demanded that Titus must be circumcised, but Paul refused to give in to their error. After extended discussion, the apostles and the elders clearly proclaimed that the Gentiles were not bound by the Law. While Paul was staying at Ephesus on his third missionary journey (1 Cor. 16:8), Titus served as his messenger to the church at Corinth (2 Cor. 7:6-7; 8:6,16). This was a very difficult mission, because the Corinthian church was deeply troubled. To entrust Titus with this responsibility shows the confidence Paul had in him. Titus not only helped resolve the problems at Corinth, but he also established good relations with the church. This is a tribute to his tactfulness and his determination to stand up for the truth. Both Titus and Timothy were companions and helpers of Paul. They were very different individuals. Timothy was sensitive and somewhat timid. Titus seems to be more vigorous. He was a man of decision. Paul knew that his life was drawing to a close. He passes along his mantle and encourages these two men to continue his work. Crete Crete was a mountainous island in the Mediterranean located at the southern end of the Aegean Sea. It was about 156 miles long, and varied from 7 to 35 miles in width. In antiquity, the Minoan civilization flourished on Crete. This glorious culture was at its peak between 1600-1400 B.C. However, with the passing of time that society declined. The island was invaded by the "Sea Peoples," or Philistines. Later, it was subdued by Rome in 67 B.C. There were Jews from Crete who heard Peter preach the gospel on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11). Paul's ship sailed past this island when he was being taken to Rome as a prisoner (Acts 27:7ff). By New Testament times, the inhabitants of Crete were known as crude barbarians and were held in contempt by more civilized peoples. Paul recognized their low moral character: "One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.' This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith" (Tit.1: 12-13). This unflattering description is a quotation of a Cretan poet named Epimenides. A lesson could be drawn here. We sometimes are prone to write off certain classes of men. However, we shouldn't prejudge who will respond to the gospel. All men are in need of the gospel. It doesn't matter whether they give the appearance of being dignified, or if they are crude and vulgar. There were individuals on Crete who obeyed the gospel, just as there were disciples in the cultured city of Rome. Historical Background When the book of Acts closes, Paul is awaiting trial in Rome. He made certain statements in the Prison Epistles that show he expected to be released (Phil. 1:21-25; 2:23-24; Philemon 1:22). After being imprisoned for over two years, apparently Paul was released from house arrest in Rome. Perhaps his accusers chose not to press chargers against him before Caesar (Acts 24:1; 28:30) and their case was lost by default. Paul was freed and once again was able to travel among the churches. He left Timothy at Ephesus and went on to Macedonia. From there Paul wrote 1 Timothy (1 Tim. 1:3). He also visited Crete where he left Titus to carry on the work of the gospel. Paul went on to Nicopolis in Achaia (Tit. 3:12) where he wrote Titus to encourage him and provide him with further instructions. Then he visited Troas (2 Tim. 4:13) where he was arrested. Then Paul was taken back to Rome and during this second imprisonment he wrote Timothy for the last time. In the closing remarks of 2 Timothy, Paul mentions that Titus had gone to Dalmatia (which is modern-day Yugoslavia). Titus had not deserted Paul like Demas. Rather, he had gone away to further the gospel. Titus was so dear to Paul that he is called "my partner and fellow worker," "my brother," and "my true child in a common faith." Contents Paul deals with the subject of church organization. He speaks of the character of those who would serve as elders. False teachers threatened the church on Crete. Paul urges Titus to expose those who promote heresy. He stresses the need for sound doctrine and holy living. Sound doctrine must be upheld, but this was not an end in itself. The acid test of our faith is how we live. The truth must be applied to one's daily life. In this way we either glorify God, or discredit the gospel. Regardless of age or sex, believers should live consistently with the principles of Christianity. Outline 1. Opening Greeting And Salutation (1:1-4) 2. The Qualification of Elders (1:5-9) 3. The Threat of False Teachers (1:10-16) 4. Conduct Among Christians (2:1-10) 5. The Proper Response To God's Grace (2:11-15) 6. Conduct In Society (3:1-2) 7. Christianity Contrasted With Paganism (3:3-7) 8. Dealing With False Teachers (3:8-11) 9. Personal Messages And Conclusion (3:12-15) -- Via Guardian of Truth XXX: 3, p. 83, February 6, 1986 ____________________________________________________ -2- A Resurrected Life by David Smitherman The gospel accounts of the life of Christ are unique in that they depict him as one having lived without sin. They even record Jesus himself as claiming sinlessness (John 8:46). Thus one cannot ignore the significance and implications of... THE PERFECT LIFE OF CHRIST. Some affirm that this perfect life was lived in order that it might be imputed to us for righteousness and use Rom. 5:10 for proof. But, look at the context. Rom. 4:25 speaks of the death of Christ and his resurrected life ("delivered up...raised"). Vss. 6,8,9 follows with repeated references to the death and blood of Christ. Then vs. 10, "reconciled to God through the death of his son" -- "saved by his life." It is his life following his death -- not vice versa -- of which the apostle Paul speaks. But this perfect life is not without significance for us. One thing it does is serve as "an example that ye should follow in his steps" (1 Pet. 2:21-f). Then, too, it qualifies him to serve as high priest. The Hebrew writer argues that because of the perfect life he is a high priest that can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities for he was tempted as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:14-15; 2:17-18). He "needeth not daily...to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins..." (Heb. 7:26-28), for he "knew no sin" (2 Cor. 5:21). Thus the significance of the perfect life is that it made Christ fit to be... A PERFECT SACRIFICE. "A body didst thou prepare for me...," Heb. 10:5 affirms. The context indicates that this was a body prepared in order that it might be sacrificed for man, rather than a life lived perfectly so that it might be imputed to him for his righteousness. The words in the context ("sacrifice" and "offering") seem to indicate this, and then vs. 10 ("the offering of the body of Christ") seems to nail down this idea. It was the sacrifice of Christ that was needed in order that our sins might be forgiven (Heb. 9:22), for in so doing he bore our sins (Heb. 9:26) and put them away (Heb. 9:28). And, it was his perfect life that made this sacrifice acceptable (Heb. 9:12-14). Thus a body was prepared for sacrifice and as a consequence we have obtained our eternal redemption (Heb. 9:21), our sanctification (Heb. 10:10), and our consciences cleansed (Heb. 9:14). As a result, Christ now lives... A RESURRECTED LIFE. Having become the author of our salvation (Heb. 5:8-10), he now sits on the right hand of God (Heb. 10:12), appearing before the face of God for us, making intercession for the sins of the people (Heb. 9:23-24; Rom. 8:23-24; Heb. 7:25). The body sacrificed on the cross and the resurrected life is what effect our salvation and thus are emphasized in the scriptures. The perfect life before the sacrifice effects me only in that it made a suitable sacrifice for sin possible. It is forgiveness through mercy, not imputation of a perfect life, that brings salvation. -- Via Plain Talk, January 1984, Vol. 20, no. 11 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes It was mentioned last week of Clarence Johnson's hospitalization and having to undergo an induced coma because of pneumonia. After spending several days in that state, Clarence passed away Thursday (Sept. 21) about 9 AM. He had been a good preacher for many years, preaching in various places. He had currently been preaching for the Susquehanna church of Christ in Marietta, Pennsylvania, and had just returned from holding a gospel meeting elsewhere, when he had to be hospitalized. His godly influence will continue to live on, enncouraging those who knew him. There will be a "visitation" from 2 to 4 PM Sunday (Sept. 24) at the Gabriel Funeral Chapel in Georgetown, Texas. The funeral service will begin at 10 AM on Monday at the same location. His body will be laid to rest in Liberty Hill, at the Liberty Hill Cemetery. After the family returns to Pennsylvania, there is also plans for a memorial service there; but the time and location have not yet been determined. Let those of us who are Christians be remembering all the family and friends in prayer. We want to also be praying for Luther Shuff who is scheduled for surgery October 2 in order to remove malignant cancer from his foot. They will be cutting away a 3X5" slab on the bottom of his foot, which will require plastic surgery, and will also do a further examination on the lymph nodes in his legs. Let us pray that all will go well, that he will soon heal up and be back on his feet, in good health. Another person to be praying for is Bob McGregor (Joe's brother) who will be entering a VA hospital for observation, due to congestive heart failure. ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________