Titus 3

Titus 3:1 "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." This is a continuation of the thought presented in the last of chapter two. Wherein we see a member engaged in any of the activities recorded here, we should with kindness and love instruct such a one more perfectly in the ways a true disciple. We as member of the body of Christ should also shew all meekness unto those who are not members, that the name of Christ be not blasphemed.

Vs 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." We as member of the body of Christ must realize that we also were sometimes just as foolish as those who are yet walking as disobedient children, for as Paul put it in 1 Cor 15:10 ‘by the grace of God I am what I am’. Yes it is through the marvelous grace of God that any of us are able to abide in the way of truth.

Vs 4 "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 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; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Yes it is as stated above, for through his mercy we have been delivered form the false teaching of the work systems of the world, into this marvelous grace of his truth. The term regeneration is used only one other time in the word of God: Here and in Matt 19:28 ‘ye which have followed me, in the regeneration.’ This being true, we have a farther insight of what is taught concerning regeneration, found recorded in Luke 22:28 ‘Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.’ In Matthew and Luke the lesson expands on the teaching here in Titus. In order for those washed by the regeneration, they must be begotten again unto a lively hope (1 Pt 1:3): renewed by the Holy Ghost. They are then able to follow, continue by being actively engaged after this regeneration, having experienced the temptations of disciple ship, and thereby qualified to set in judgment of the activities of the bride of Jesus, the church. We must always remember, that had the grace and mercy of our loving husband not saved us (to the truth), we would still be as those described in verse three. I am not implying that those of verse three are not children of God, but left without retrain would do just as Paul did before his conversion, an also later as those during the dark ages

Through the fall of Adam we deserved to be banished (2 Sam 14:14) from the fellowship of God as David had done unto his son Absalom (vs 21), and as were the Gentiles (Eph 2:12) until the coming of the new covenant faith. The washing herein (lutron) is found only in one other place (Eph 5:26). ‘He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (rhema), that he might present it to himself a glorious church.’ Even though God hath in the past (Acts 14:16) ‘suffered all (gentile) nations to walk in their own ways, nevertheless he left not himself without witness.’ We need only to look at the eleventh chapter of Hebrew to see this cloud of witnesses, even before Abraham. At the giving of the law in stone, He called out witnesses as recorded in (Isa 43:10): ‘ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he.’ Having read this we can see where Elijah felt to be the only witness (1 Kg 19:18, Isa 1:9). To understand the time frame of this lesson we need to look at the first words of verse four, ‘After that’. We find several places where the disciples were to tarry (Lk 34:29, Jh 21:23, Hb 10:37), until certain thing be fulfilled. At the time of the promise to occupy Canaan (Gen 15:16) it was the iniquity of the Amorites. In Luke is was to wait until they were endued with power, in reference to the coming of the Holy Ghost one the day of Pentecost. In John and Hebrews it was tarry until God came to judge his people (Jews). At this time Jesus would come, as John stated (Rv 12:6), to take his bride away from the destruction of Jerusalem into a place of refuge until the dark ages had passed over, and bring to maturity the New Heaven and Earth. If we will back up in Hebrews 10:15: we will find that the Holy Ghost hath said (vs 16 of Hb) after those days wherein the bride would they have (vs 20) a new and living way: Jesus, having established himself as the High Priest over the house of God (vs 21).

I realize that the eternal principle can be taught from these verses, but the context demands a timely setting, wherein the church should be encouraged in they discipleship, while they sojourn here in these troubled times. There are many verses that we as Old Baptist have used in the past to teach the security of our eternal sonship. Now in the presence of the on slaughter of the selfrighteous do-gooder’s involved in the false doctrine of perseverance, and have drawn away disciples after them self, we need to hear the blessing contained in our walk of faith which was one delivered unto the saints. The church does not need to be told they are sinners, for their conscience convicts them of this on a daily basis. They need to understand the blessing of abiding in Him (1 Jh 2:27), though vexed, they can yet declare ‘it is well’ (2 Kg 4:26).

Vs 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." This verifies what has be state above, unto the believer, that he might be careful to maintain good works. Why, because these things are good and profitable unto the membership of the church?

Vs 9 "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." Simply put, do not become a legalist, and fail to express the love that is so need to maintain a health congregation.

Vs 10 "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." Herein we find the meat of the lesson, it is the ability of the church to hear the uncertain sound, and to have enough love to cover a multitude of sins. Yet we fight and fuss over a brother who has committed a moral sin as King David, and allow the false teacher as King Saul to devour the lamb.

Vs 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. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them." Paul herein give his personal request to the young minister Titus. He stand in need of those thing herein in requested, so as not to be in want.

Vs 14 "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful." I am at a loss as too who the ‘ours’ are in this text. Some one help me out here.

Vs "15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen." Paul’s here in is expressing his love for this young minister and those with him. Notice also that this letter is unto those that love us in the faith, and does not include those out side of the true believer.