The Church: Standards and Leadership

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

,and how that command was the blueprint for the movement of the Gospel and the growth of the church in its earliest days.

We saw the purpose of the church unfold as the apostles endured persecution in order to proclaim the Good News of salvation in the name of Jesus Christ.

The book of Acts ends abruptly and three weeks ago we talked about one of the possible scenarios that early church history supports as to what happened next in the ministry of Paul.

Although not as solid as the clear historical teaching of Acts, there is good evidence in Paul’s letter’s and non biblical historical writings to support Paul’s ministry to Spain and return ministries to established churches in Asia.

Now we turn our attention to three letters written by Paul to men who were discipled by him and became fellow workers in the ministry of the Gospel and leadership in the church.

Two of these letters go to Timothy and one to Titus.

Within these letters, there is a shift in focus.

A Shift in Focus

By this time in Paul’s ministry much of the work he had before him had been accomplished.

Some of the Apostles had already been martyred for their faith.

Persecution was mounting as Nero took aim at the Christian church.

Paul’s focus turned to preparing the church for his own departure.

He writes this in his letter to Timothy:

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

This verse along with all Paul writes to prepare Timothy and Titus for the ministry ahead them, creates a new tone and focus when compared to his letters to the churches.

With this in mind, we begin our study of these three letters written to fellow workers in the faith for the benefit of the church.

1 Timothy: The Greeting

1 Timothy 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

What is an Apostle?

Tyndale Bible Dictionary Apostle, Apostleship

After the resurrection, Jesus commissioned the Twelve (Mt 28; Lk 24; Jn 20–21) to proclaim God’s act in Christ on behalf of all men. Only those who had been with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry to his resurrection were qualified to be his apostolic witnesses (Acts 1:21–22). Paul qualified because he had seen the risen Christ (1 Cor 15:4–10).

Acts 1:21–22 ESV

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”

1 Corinthians 15:4–10 ESV

4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Called by Jesus in person.

Called to Lead and Serve

Paul’s calling was unique:

Acts 9:1–22 ESV

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

What is a true son in the faith?

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Spiritual influence began with his family.

2 Timothy 3:15 ESV

15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Timothy had been taught the scriptures, likely in the Jewish tradition which had prepared his heart to receive the Gospel

2 Timothy 1:6 ESV

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

We are uncertain as to whether Paul led Timothy to faith in Christ but we can be certain Paul had a major roll in his discipleship.

Personal Investment

1 Timothy 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

Note Paul’s own clear dependence on the work of God. He gives all credit to the Lord. It is God who called, God who is his Savior, and Christ Jesus is his hope.

1 Timothy 1:2 ESV

2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Note the personal nature of the greeting of Paul to Timothy.

The importance of our investment into the lives of others cannot be overstated. Just look at the great commission:

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is no fly by evangelism. This is life on life. Truth lived out. Ministry done hand in hand. How does one teach another to walk with Christ?

Just look at the ministry of Jesus. For three years, he poured his life into the disciples.

When Paul calls Timothy his true son in the faith . . . this is what he has in mind. And as he prepares to write this letter he wants Timothy to be reminded of the importance of that relationship because as a leader of the church Timothy will have to lead in the same way.

Who are you making a personal investment in?

Who is learning to walk with Jesus because they are walking with you?

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