Qualified to Plant Part 4: Instructor and Defender of the Faith

Our final post in the series on the qualifications of a pastor/planter will deal with Titus 1:9.  It is interesting that Paul now shifts from character qualifications to some competency considerations.  Of course, at the root of the competency is the commitment to the Word which could certainly be considered a character trait.  Paul writes:

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 those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9)

So the qualified planter must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught.  There is so much truth in this clause.  My eye is first drawn to Paul's declaration that what he has taught to Titus and Timothy has been trustworthy.  Just as the Lord taught it to Paul, Paul has taught the men that he sent out to shepherd the churches.  The theological term for what Paul is referring to is apostolic authority.  That means that those who were taught by Christ have been given authority to deliver His words to the Church.  This was one of the three qualifications for canonization.

Paul is concerned that they hold firmly to the trustworthy word AS TAUGHT.  Back then, just like today, there were men who were diverging from the Gospel in many different ways.  Many taught that righteousness was achieved through works of the law.  Some taught that there was a higher or hidden knowledge that was required to understand the text.  Paul is saying that what he said was trustworthy exactly as he said it.  Many of his letters are written to combat regional heresies.  In Galatians he writes:

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-10).

The Gospel must be held firm because it will be attacked.  It was attacked in the first century and it is attacked today.  The Gospel is scandalous to the watching world because we're saved not of works and effort, but of faith and grace.  The hero dies for the villains.  We are totally dependent upon Him for our salvation and sanctification.  The Gospel obliterates the self-centeredness that society (then and now) thrives upon.  

So a qualified pastor/planter will be able to uphold the Gospel even through attacks.  And the end goal?  He'll be able to teach those under his care.  It's not enough to grasp sound doctrine, an overseer must be able to instruct in sound doctrine.  This is integral in the development and maturity of Christians at ever stage of their walk.  We are to be constantly delving into the depths of the text and our guide on this journey is a biblically qualified pastor.  A high calling with great responsibility to be sure.  And when the attacks come, the pastor/planter is able to defend right doctrine and edify those in his care.  When public attacks are made, public defenses are necessary.  This is a task for which the Lord, in His grace, equips His children.

For a refresher on the Gospel: What is the Gospel?

For a great discussion on how the Gospel is to be defended, please see Albert Mohler's A Call for Theological Triage and Maturity.

May the Lord bless us as we strive to hold fast to the trustworthy word, teach sound doctrine, and defend the faith.

Soli Deo Gloria