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"Holding fast the faithful word..."

Text: Titus 1:9

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD OF GOD

The ministry of the bishop is clearly highlighted in this text. His ministry has very much to do with the Word of God.

“Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught,
that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort
and convict those who contradict.”
Titus 1:9

1. “Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught”

a) “As he has been taught”

i) The bishop must first have been well taught.

ii) He cannot be a novice.

iii) He must have been well taught in the word of God.

b) His challenge now is to hold firmly all that he has been taught.

i) He must not vacillate.

ii) He must have the strength of heart, mind and spirit to remain courageously faithful.

2. “That he may be able”

a) This is his challenging ministry.

b) To be able to minister the word of God strongly.

3. “By sound doctrine”

a) This is clear reference to the faithful word of God.

b) The word of God is indeed “sound” (that is “healthy”).

4. Two tasks highlighted:-

a) “To exhort”

i) By way of encouragement.

ii) By way of coming alongside to give a word of godly counsel.

b) “To convict those who contradict”

i) There is another parallel ministry that must be borne in mind.

ii) There will always be those who contradict the teaching of God’s word.

iii) The ministry to them is not one of exhortation.

iv) The ministry to them is to stand firmly against those who contradict the truth.