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Tag Archives: Division

“A Man that is an Heretick”, Titus 3:10, KJV.

20 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by memoirandremains in Ministry, Titus

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Biblical Spirituality, Controversie, Division, Elder, Factious, Leadership, Ministry, Titus, Titus 3:10

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In Titus 3:10, Paul tells Titus

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him (ESV).

The phrase “a person who stirs up division” or as the NASB has it, the “factious man,” is a notorious anchor for those who want to claim all dissent from their “rule” is such a sin as to warrant ejection from the congregation. But does it really mean someone who asks a question?

If we back up and consider the immediate context, we see that Paul is concerning himself with doctrine:

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Titus 3:9 (ESV)

In the verse 11, such a man is “warped and sinful; he is self-condemned”. Therefore, an examination of the immediate context leads one to think of a false-teacher: which is precisely what we see when looking to overall structure of Paul’s argument.

Beginning in Titus 1:5, Paul lays out the criteria for appointing elders in each town. In verse 9, Paul comes to the element:

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke [elegchein] those who contradict it. Titus 1:9 (ESV)

Note these the elder/overseer must be one who is able (1) instruct, and (2) and is able to rebuke those who do not understand doctrine (ἐλέγχειν, elegchein). This aspect of the overseer’s responsibility parallels the command of Titus 3:10 to warn (nouthein) “an heretick”. The command to “rebuke” will also be given in 2:15.

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Marks of the Spirit’s Work

12 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by memoirandremains in Discipleship, Jude, Ministry

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Discipleship, Division, Eschatology, False Prophets, Hope, Jude, love, Ministry, Unity

Jude warns to remember the Lord’s warning about scoffers. Interestingly these scoffers are dangerous because they have an ear among those inside the church. Their damage comes because the create division.

The Spirit has a contrary effect. He builds up, inflames prayer, produces live and an eager expectation for the return of Jesus which expectation produces holiness (love, faith, edifying others, encouraging holiness in others):

17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”
19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
22 And have mercy on those who doubt;
23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Here is how to preach and teach eschatology. Rather than emphasizing systems and order of event, press holiness through hope.

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