When Paul left Crete, we are told he left Titus there to set in order the things that were lacking (Titus 1:4-5). The thing that stands out is the fact that the apostle felt he needed to have a preacher teach on the importance of leadership. We know that because he was told to appoint elders in every church.

As one reads through the qualification of elders (Titus 1:5-9; I Tim. 3:1-7), you can’t help but notice what is required in order to become qualified. No one is unqualified to teach one day and then is qualified to teach the next day. Nor is one unhospitable one day and then is considered hospitable the next day. We can say this about each and every one of the qualifications. This shows that leadership is developed and brethren need to be exhibiting these qualities long before being appointed.

The good news for a local church is that before such people are appointed as elders, the congregation has been blessed with those who have been demonstrating their abilities in the leadership role. They have been doing this by being blameless, not self-willed, not being quick tempered, not being violent, not greedy for money; being hospitable, loving what is good, holding fast to the word, able to teach, married with faithful children.

What’s great about all of this is the fact that leaders in the church act that way even if they are not elders, deacons or evangelists. This goes for our sisters in the Lord too. God’s children are part of a local church family and do what they can to help out (I Cor. 12:12-27).  Who doesn’t love to see Christians who jump in to take care of things that need to get done? Whether inviting people to their home, cleaning the building, preparing the Lord’s Supper, teaching a class, leading singing, helping with the radio, or working on the website, etc.

Until a local church appoints elders like Titus was told to do, those without them are being blessed having the members working together developing their leadership qualities to help things run smoothly. May we all be doing what we can to help, and not hinder, the work of the church.

Chuck                                       

In the first article I brought up the passage that says the deacons are not to drink much wine (I Tim. 3:8). Does this the passage that prove that you can drink a little as long as you do not drink to excess? Is the text also teaching that if you want to drink alcohol, do not become an elder as they are forbidden from drinking? From a Christian point of view, something seems odd with these conclusions.

Let’s first establish that the wine in this text is fermented. It would seem out of place for Paul to write that deacons should not be given to much unfermented grape juice. If deacons were told not to be given to much, are they allowed to have a little? If there is danger in consuming much alcohol though, why would they be permitted to take a little?

Perhaps Paul’s instruction to Timothy might have a bearing on this. It was clear that Timothy did not (or would not) drink any wine that was fermented. Timothy would not even drink it for medicinal reasons. However, he was told by Paul that he should take some for his stomach’s sake (I Tim. 5:23). This begs the question – why would Timothy, at least up to this point, not take wine for his ailment? Obviously there was an issue Timothy was aware of when it came to consuming wine that had alcohol in it. He needed to be told that it is okay for sickness.

Getting back to deacons, the phrase in I Timothy 3:8 “not given to much wine” could also be phrased as “to say not paying attention to.” This is hardly a text to support the idea of drinking socially (non-medicinal). Saints are to keep themselves unspotted from the world by being sober and righteous (James 1:27; I Pet. 5:8; Titus 2:12). Therefore, with all the dangers and abuses connected with alcohol, it would be a stretch to use this text to support the consumption of wine that is fermented to merely satisfy thirst.

Could grape juice (non-fermented) even exist throughout the year in Biblical times? This question will also be addressed in next week’s bulletin.

Chuck