Outline.
1. Conceived by God
2. Commission by Jesus
3. Committed to the Apostles
Remarks.
1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing a theme: “the truth which is after godliness.” Nestled in the salutation of the Apostle Paul to Titus, his “son after the common faith” in our scripture lesson is three invaluable truths. They are, that God had “according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge (Gr: epignosin) of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior,” Titus 1:1-3.
2. First, Paul states that God which cannot lie, has promised before the world began, according to the faith of God’s elect, in hope of eternal life, the truth which is after godliness,” Titus 1:1b-2. God has promised according to our faith and obedience to the truth which is after godliness, the hope of eternal life. This he conceived – before the world began. Only God can call those thing that are not; as if they are for certain. Paul is affirming here that there is a truth which is after godliness. Not a truth, or some truth; but the truth.
3. Secondly, Paul states that God hath “in due times manifested his word (the truth according to godliness) through preaching,” Titus 1:3. Here he makes mention that this word (the truth) was manifested (made known) in due times (his time) through preaching (Gr: kerygmati, or proclamation). The message of eternal life, through the truth which is after godliness, has been communicated through preaching. God has commission his word to be manifested through the preaching of the gospel of Christ. It is through the gospel message we learn how to obtain the promise of eternal life, as a result of the preaching of the truth “which is after godliness.”
4. Finally, Paul states that God hath “committed unto him” this message of eternal life through “the truth which is after godliness, according to the commandment of God our Saviour,” Titus 1:3b. This message of the gospel; the truth which is after godliness, has been committed unto the apostles to be preached in due time (these times), according to the faith of God’s elect, in hope of eternal life (Gr: epi elpis aiônios zôe), 1:2a; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:1. God has ordained a pattern for salvation, for worship and church government. These are “divine patterns” and they must be followed.
BODY OF LESSON
I CONCEIVED BY GOD
A. The address and salutation. Before we begin this lesson, let’s notice Paul’s address and salutation to Titus. He writes: “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ…To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour,” Titus 1:1a and Titus 1:4. In this salutation Paul affirms first that he is a bond servant (Gr: doulos) of the one living and true God. In other epistles, he calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ; but in this one – a servant of God. He also acknowledges himself as an apostles of Jesus Christ – by this title he distinguishes himself from other first century leaders (prophets, evangelist and ministers, pastors and teachers, and other holy men of God); and certainly from those false teachers and deceivers, residents of the Isle of Crete. Paul’s apostleship was given to him by Christ; and his willingness to be a servant of God, was a position he chose, in order to be well pleasing to God.
1. Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul’s apostleship was given to him by Christ; and he called himself the “servant of God” a position of service to God and to the Gentiles to which he was sent.
a. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope,” 1 Timothy 1:1.
b. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,” 2 Timothy 1:1.
2. According to the will of God. Paul informs the Galatians Christians, that it was “God who had separated him from his mother’s womb, and called him by His grace, to reveal his Son in him, that he might preach him among the heathen…” Galatians 1:15-16. It was God’s will to call this man into the ministry of Christ at the appoint time in accordance with His will. Paul declared himself to be an apostle and a servant of Jesus Christ:
a. First, “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,” 1 Corinthians 1:1.
b. Further, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, call to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David, according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead,” Romans 1:1-3.
c. Finally, “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power,” Ephesians 3:7.
B. His apostolic calling. This calling was: “According to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is after godliness,” Titus 1:1b. Notice here he attributes his apostolic calling to two separate and distinct things. They were:
1. The faith (ordained and required) by God’s elect, and
2. The knowledge (belief, confession and obedience) of the truth which is after godliness (that brings righteousness before God), Titus 1:2, Titus 2:11-12; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26. The word "knowledge" is (Gr: epignosin), which means to have a precise and correct knowledge of a things ethical and divine purpose; recognition and full discernment. In this case, the knowledge of “the truth”; not a truth; but the truth, is being described. It is the truth of the gospel that brings salvation through the mercy and grace of God; by the believer’s full and complete knowledge and trust in the “faith of God’s elect, and the truth” which leads to godliness (Gr: eusebeian) before God.
3. Paul was appointed an Apostle that through him the elect of God might believe and heed “the truth”—that truth, the knowledge of which produces as its fruit in the believer a holy, godly, and righteous life, with its final aim the “hope of eternal life.”
4. Paul is not saying that the elect of the faith has appointed him to be an apostle; but rather it was through the faith of God given to the elect; and the knowledge of (obedience to) the truth which is after (that leads or grants) godliness.
5. He affirms his obedience to the “faith of the gospel” according to the grace of God, which was afforded him through his "knowledge of the truth which is after godliness.” He testified to King Agrippa: “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision,” Acts 26:19. I was obedient to the terms and conditions of the gospel, Ephesians 1:11-14; Romans 6:17-18, 22-23; 1 Timothy 1:12-16. Illustrate: Paul’s calling, conversion and commission.
6. He writes in the Letter to the Romans.
a. First, “By whom (speaking of the Son of God) we (includes himself) have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name,” Romans 1:5.
b. Further, “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery…made known to all nations for the obedience of faith,” Romans 16:25-26.
c. Finally, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:16-17.
d. Notice Peter: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren…Being born again…," 1 Peter 1:22-23.
C. In the hope of eternal life. This phrase is connected with the whole preceding verse. That firmly rests upon me, as an apostle to promote the elect's faith and full knowledge of the truth, which has as its promise, "the hope of eternal life" (Titus 2:13; 3:7; Acts 23:6; 24:15; 28:20). Notice:
1. First, Paul writes: “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life,” Titus 3:7.
2. Further, the Lord has words of eternal life. “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to who shall we go, thou hast the words of eternal life,” John 6:67-68.
3. Next, Luke writes: “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed,” Acts 13:48.
4. Also, John wrote: “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life,” 1 John 2:25.
5. Finally, John affirms that life is in His Son. He writes: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son,” 1 John 5:11, 13.
D. God which cannot lie. Paul here affirms this promise was given by God – which cannot lie for He is “without lie” and He is “truthful.” We can rely on his promises. Paul speaks of two immutable things, that make it impossible for God to lie, Hebrews 6:17-18. Matthew Henry, in his commentary of Hebrews discussing these two things; he writes: “The promises of God, which are founded upon these immutable counsels of God, and confirmed by the oath of God, may safely be depended upon; for here we have two immutable things, the counsel and the oath of God, in which it is impossible for God to lie, (it is) contrary to His (holy) nature; as well as, to His (divine) will.”
E. Promised before the world began. Now he begins to deal with the notion of when all this was conceived and brought into his divine plan. Notice: which God “promised before the world began,” Titus 1:2. Therefore, he speaks of an eternal plan. Hear Paul:
1. Unsearchable riches of Christ. “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,” Ephesians 3:8.
2. Mystery which hath been hid from all ages.
a. First, “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:…mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,” Colossians 1:25-27.
b. Further, “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:… might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Ephesians 3:9-11.
c. Finally, Peter speaks similarly concerning this truth. He writes: “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into,” 1 Peter 1:9-12. See also Hebrews 2:1-5. Our Lord instructed his apostles to “tarry in Jerusalem until they were endue with power and the Holy Ghost,” Luke 24:49, Acts 1:1-8, Acts 2:1-14. Let's consider point 2.
II COMMISSION BY JESUS
A. Paul affirms that God “hath in due time” done this. Not in other ages, but now in “due time.” He has made know his word: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…,” Hebrews 1:1-2. Paul speaks and writer of this “truth.” Notice:
1. The “truth which is after godliness.” First, “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness,” Titus 1:1.
2. The “doctrine which is after godliness.” Further, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,” 1 Timothy 6:3.
3. The “mystery which is after godliness.” Finally, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory,” 1 Timothy 3:16.
B. He hath “manifested his word” to the world. God has made this known unto the world. To both Jews and Gentiles, “the manifold wisdom of God.”
C. This was accomplished through “preaching.” This word, preaching (Gr: kerygma), means a proclamation by a herald; the message or proclamation of the heralds of God and Christ. The preacher or minister; and in this case the apostle Paul and all the other apostles. They were to announce:
1. That salvation was procured by Christ and could only be obtained through Him, 1 Corinthians 1:18-21; Titus 1:3.
2. That salvation was to be obtained through the name of Jesus Christ, Acts 4:12.
3. That the obedience to the gospel brings about salvation, Romans 1:14-17.
4. That the elect of God shall be saved by faith, Titus 1:1, Romans 5:1-2.
5. That the gospel he preached was the grace of God, Acts 20:24, Ephesians 2:8-9.
D. The preaching of the gospel of Christ. He was charged with preaching the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles, Acts 22:17-21, Acts 26:15-18; Galatians 2:6-10.
E. The preaching of the truth which is after godliness. This is the truth once preached that will bring forth godliness before God. It saves by the grace and mercy of God; by the process of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Notice Paul: “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life,” Titus 3:5. Let’s notice point 3.
III COMMITTED UNTO THE APOSTLES
A. Committed unto me. The “faith” and “the truth” committed to the apostles. This faith and truth was not committed unto Paul for safe keeping, but for proclamation. Too many hold the revelation of Christ as being only entrusted to them – in that they alone can know and understand. However, Paul informs Titus that God had committed unto him this word to “to make known to all through preaching,” Titus 1:3.
1. This he reminds Timothy also: “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust,” 1 Timothy 1:11.
2. He further charges the young preacher.
a. “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee…,” 1 Timothy 1:18. See also 2 Timothy 2:1-4.
b. “I charge thee before God…,” 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
c. “Take heed unto thyself and to the doctrine,” 1 Timothy 4:16.
B. Given by God. This is a “divine pattern.” Notice:
1. Given by revelation. To the apostles and prophets, it was given, Ephesians 3:1-7. Illustrate: Revelation, inspiration, examination, and illumination.
2. Holy men of God. “Spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,” 2 Peter 1:20-21. The Apostles spake as the “Spirit gave them utterance,” Acts 2:1-4; Matthew 10:17-20. What the apostles taught was given to them by the Holy Spirit – and thus “a divine pattern.” We must continue in the apostles’ doctrine, Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 14:29-31.
3. Apostles wrote by the Holy Spirit. Note: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord,” 1 Corinthians 14:37. What the apostles have given us as a “pattern for the church government” is the commandments of the Lord. Some are suggesting that this pattern can be altered. But we dare not, Revelation 22:18-19.
4. God’s Admonition to follow His pattern. Paul writes: “Moses when admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount,” Hebrews 8:5, Exodus 25:40.
5. Stand in the way. Jeremiah writes: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein,” Jeremiah 6:16. See also, Jeremiah 5:30-31; Isaiah 30:9-11. A rebellious and disobedient people will not walk in the way; or follow the pattern of God. See Isaiah 55:6-11. Illustrate: "My ways are not your ways."
6. Pattern manifested through preaching. Whatsoever Paul wrote, he also preached; and whatsoever he preached; he wrote as a pattern. What does the pattern for church government look like? “For this cause I left thee in Crete…that thou set in order…,” Titus 1:5-9.
a. Here’s what he wrote: “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…,” Ephesians 4:11-12.
1) Paul says, Christ gave these gifts (divine officers).
2) Officers were to perform two (divine operations).
3) Saints were to accomplish several (divine objectives), Ephesians 4:13-16.
b. Here’s what he preached: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departure…And now, brethren, I commend you to God…,” Acts 20:28-32. See also, 1 Corinthians 12:28.
1) Notice where Paul was; on the beach at Miletus.
2) He calls for the elders of the church at Ephesus; they arrived at Miletus.
3) He reminds them of what he taught and preached to them while in Ephesus.
a) “…but (I) have showed you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house,” Acts 20:20.
b) “…I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God,” Acts 20:24.
c) “…among you I have gone preaching the kingdom of God…,” Acts 20:25.
d) “…I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears,” Acts 20:31.
4) He tells them to “take heed unto themselves; and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made them overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with his own blood,” Acts 20:28. The Holy Ghost “made them overseers (bishops).
5) Holy Spirit grants the elders or bishops the oversight of the church, Acts 20:17, 28.
6) The Apostle Peter reminds the church of this same truth, 1 Peter 5:1-4.
7) The church must be under their care and oversight, Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24.
8) This is the “truth which is after godliness”; ordained before the world began and must be preached “that we might know how to behave ourselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth,” 1 Timothy 3:15.
7. Some deny or abandon this pattern? “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple,” Romans 16:17-18. Notice we are to:
a. Mark them.
b. Avoid them.
c. They serve not the Lord Jesus, but their own belly. They are greedy for “filthy lucre” money, Titus 1:7.
d. And by good words and fair speeches. (Paul does not even call this preaching). It is rhetoric not “sound doctrine,” Titus 2:1.
e. They deceive the hearts of the simple. See Isaiah 9:16, Matthew 22:29, Matthew 15:13-14.
6. We must contend for the “faith or doctrine once delivered unto the saint,” Jude 3.
C. According to the commandment of God. Thus, the message and practices Paul commands Titus, is of divine authority – given by the revelation of Jesus Christ and the will of God. The challenge that lay before us in each generation is to ensure that the word of God is understood by all believers to be the divine authority in religious matters.
D. Our Saviour. The word Saviour (Gr: soteros), implies deliverer and Saviour. It is used throughout the New Testament in reference to Jesus Christ, John 4:42; Acts 5:31, Acts 13:23.
E. Jesus Christ. Paul in his preaching and writings make know that the Savior of his message is Christ Jesus our Lord. Notice a few of Paul’s references:
1. First, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body,” Ephesians 5:23.
2. Further, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20.
3. Next: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope,” 1 Timothy 1:1; 1 Timothy 2:3; and 1 Timothy 4:10.
4. Also, “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” 2 Timothy 1:10.
5. Finally, “To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour,” Titus 1:4, Titus 2:10, Titus 2:13; Titus 3:4, and Titus 3:6.
6. Conclusion, Paul preached Christ as Lord and Saviour. This brings on a new meaning for the position of Christ in the redemptive process. He is not only the “Christ” but the Saviour of all mankind, especially of those that are the elect of God, which have heard, believed, and obeyed the “truth which is after godliness,” Acts 2:36, Acts 5:31. In conclusion, let’s review.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. Conceived by God
2. Commission by Jesus
3. Committed to the Apostles
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, Paul stated that God which cannot lie, has promised before the world began, according to the faith of God’s elect, in hope of eternal life, the truth which is after godliness,” Titus 1:1b-2. God has promised according to our faith and obedience to the truth which is after godliness, the hope of eternal life. This he conceived – before the world began. Only God can call those thing that are not; as if they are for certain. Paul is affirming here that there is a truth which is after godliness. Not a truth, or some truth; but the truth.
2. Secondly, Paul stated that God hath “in due times manifested his word (the truth according to godliness) through preaching,” Titus 1:3. Here he makes mention that this word (the truth) was manifested (made known) in due times (his time) through preaching. The message of eternal life, through the truth which is after godliness, has been communicated through preaching. God has commission his word to be manifested through the preaching of the gospel of Christ. It is through the gospel message we learn how to obtain the promise of eternal life, as a result of the preaching of the truth which is after godliness.
3. Finally, Paul stated that God hath “committed unto him” this message of eternal life through “the truth which is after godliness, according to the commandment of God our Saviour,” Titus 1:3b. This message of the gospel; the truth which is after godliness, has been committed unto the apostles to be preached in due time (these times), according to the faith of God’s elect, in hope of eternal life (Gr: epi elpis aiônios zôe).
C. H. B. R. C. B. Explain the gospel plan of salvation.
D. Exhortation. “With many other words did he testify and exhort…,” Acts 2:40.
E. Motivation. “…behold, now is the day of salvation,” 2 Corinthians 6:2. “Harden not your heart,” Psalms 95:8; Hebrews 4:7.
