Titus in the New Testament The book of

Titus in the New Testament • The book of Titus was written by Paul to a person name Titus who was like a son to Paul. • Written for the purpose to strengthen Titus to firmly exercise his authority as apostolic representative. • Titus was left in Crete to put in order the organization of the church and to supervise. • What was written in the book of Titus contained important information of how God would want a “healthy” church to be like.

What should Titus do to organize and supervise the church? • Right qualification of people so called “elders” and “bishop” to be in charge of the church. • Rebuke false teachers who frustrates the people with Judaic commandments. • Sound doctrine and teaching from the apostles about Jesus Christ. • Members that the belong to the church to present certain characteristics, godly living and good works pleasing to God.

Some of the qualifications & characteristics of people in church • Elders: blameless, faithful husband… • Bishop: blameless, steward of God… • Members of older men: sober, reverent/God fearing, sound in faith… • Members of older women: not given to much wine, not slanderers, teachers of good things… • Members of young men: sober minded, good works, integrity… • Members of young women: love their husbands & children, discreet, chaste… • Servant: obedient to their masters, pleasing, fidelity…

Did Paul warn the church people? • False teachers will frustrate the people of the church, Judaic custom and commandment • Avoid foolish disputes (trivial arguments) • Avoid genealogies (superiority, inferiority) • Avoid contentions (heated argument, no love) • Striving about the law (self righteous judgmental) • Reject men to wants to “divide” (not focus on Christ)

How should the church people be trained? • Deny ungodliness, deny worldly lusts, live soberly, righteously and godly. • Looking for the hope of the appearance of Jesus 2 nd coming • Obey rulers and authorities • Be ready for good work • Maintain peace, gentle, humility, speak no evil

Would the people of the church be able to live according to the bible? • Yes! when they understand God’s love and mercy and that they are saved by grace through faith, not of what they have done. • Yes! Because Lord Jesus completed the work of salvation when He died on the cross, He took the punishment for our sins, hence we are justified, meaning “made right before God” • Yes! because the Holy Spirit work to renew the hearts of the people. • Hence the people will be able to live as what the bible asked if they focus on God, what Jesus had done and seek Holy Spirit’s help.

Philemon in the New Testament • Paul wrote to Philemon, a beloved believer, when Paul was in jail in Rome. • Philemon was a resident in Colossae and a convert of Paul. • Philemon was the master for a runaway slave named Onesimus, who became a believer. • Paul wrote to Philemon, his family and the church who gathered in his house.

Why did Paul wrote to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus • Onesimus who was a runaway slave, hence, Philemon who was his master has the right to punish him if he wants to. • Onesimus became a believer so Paul ask Philemon to treat him like a brother and not a slave. • The book of Philemon teaches about being able to speak the truth in love for a pathway to a Christian relationship.

The focus of the book of Philemon • Paul wrote a prayer of thanksgiving for Philemon’s faith and love. • Paul did not command Philemon but persuade him that as a Christian to forgive just as he had been forgiven by Christ. • Paul urged Philemon not to punish runaway slave Onesimus but to receive him as a beloved brother. • Paul placed Onesimus debt on his account but also reminds Philemon on his greater spiritual debt as a convert to Christ.

The outcome relationship between Philemon and Onesimus? • Paul closes with a hopeful request to Philemon. • The letter Philemon for us to read today and not destroyed, with a good chance indicates that this request of Paul to Philemon in favor. • Philemon himself a man full of love and faith, even use his house for the gathering of the whole church.

Final Summary of book of Filemon • Christian relationship of love possible because of Christ’ love. • Slave master to treat slave as a person and not as an object. • Forgiveness and to receive someone as a brother is what we must do because Christ had forgiven and received us first.