GOD’S INSTRUCTION CONCERNING AUTHORITY

Titus 2:15
Bob Bonner
April 19, 2009

From early on, many Americans have been taught to think that questioning or defying authority is our inalienable constitutional right. The idea that we are to question or defy authority manifests itself throughout our society. We see it in our schools. From elementary age to the university, students are disrespectful and rebellious in the classroom. We see it when a policeman stops someone for violating a traffic law. We see it in the rebellion of children in the nuclear family. Stated plainly: We resist the concept of authority. This resistance to authority is something that began at the Fall. We simply don’t like submitting to anyone.

When it comes to the church, most American evangelicals do not view submission to church leadership as appropriate, even if it is for the purpose of individual growth and accountability or for that of the corporate body. Instead, many Christians have come to believe that the church is like a store where you shop as a consumer for whatever fits your fancy. If you like the place and it serves your needs, you come back.  If in another year or two, after you have spotted with a critical eye areas that need improvement or simple things that don’t please the you about the church, and you just happen to discover another place down the road that offers a more appealing and pleasant experience, you move your “business” there. This has become the standard practice across the country.

As a result of this, plus the insecurity of some pastors and their ego-seeking ways, some pastors attempt to “market” their churches is such a way as to not say or do anything that might offend or upset their “customers.” Because they are viewing the “customer” or the parishioner as king, and because they want to please and attract all the people they can to their churches rather than looking to what God’s Word says as to how to lead the church, some leaders have fallen prey to any secular church growth model that is popular at the moment, but that typically, in the end, leaves little lasting eternal results.

With this consumeristic view of the church, the idea of spiritual authority, of proclaiming, “Thus says the Lord,” seems odd or out of place. In fact, the modern emergent church movement denies that any one person or groups of people have any authority to rule or speak into people’s lives. You as an individual Christian are your own authority. You are to answer to no one! In addition, the idea of spiritual authority scares many because of our country’s history of religious wackos and cult leaders who have tricked their followers. These control freaks arrange marriages, make demands to turn over assets, require all to blindly follow orders, and even enforce mass suicide pacts.

Even in less extreme situations, many Christians have had bad experiences with authoritarian pastors who wrongly lord it over the flock. Often these men mistakenly claim that you can’t “touch the Lord’s anointed,” meaning that the pastor is beyond criticism or correction, even if he is engaging in sinful or unbiblical practices. Typically, these authoritarian pastors label anyone who speaks out against them as being divisive or contentious. So what does God’s Word say about authority?

That’s what we want to see in our study of Titus 2:15. We want to see what God’s Word says to those who are in authority. And also, we want to take some time looking at other related passages that speak to those who are under authority and how they are to respond to that authority.

Before we begin reading our text, allow me to remind you who Titus was and the extremely unique position he held in church history. Titus was the Apostle Paul’s appointed delegate who was to plant and put in order the first church on the island of Crete. Since the first century, there has been no such apostolic delegate in the exact same position. Today we have church planters, but their instructions come directly from the Word of God. But in the time of Titus, he and the church didn’t have the manual we have today. Instead, God used inspired men like the Apostle Paul to give instructions in the form of a letter concerning how to plant a church. Today, we have God’s instructions saved for us in Paul’s letters. And suffice it to say, Paul various letters make it very clear that no one man is to rule as an authoritarian over the church, but instead, a body of men who are called elders are to rule, and those who are a part of that church family are to follow these elders. (1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17).

Titus was given a very difficult assignment in establishing the church on the wild and woolly island of Crete. As to his assignment, Paul writes gives his delegate very basic and simple instructions about what he is to do. This morning, we are looking at the concluding verse of a segment of Paul’s letter to Titus. Simply stated, Paul writes to Titus in 2:15, “These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” Paul’s reference to “These things” points to those things he has just written about beginning with 2:1. We know that because his command in 2:15 to “speak” recalls Paul’s opening command in 2:1. In between verses 1-14, Paul has given some basic instructions to older men, younger men, older women, younger women, and employees how they are to function in relationships with those around them. His instruction is that they are to live attractively godly lives, so that they would have a basis to explain the life changing power of the gospel to those who have yet to hear about or personally know Jesus Christ.

Presumably, because the citizens of Crete were a lawless group (people who lived under no authority but themselves) Paul says what he does to Titus to remind him that he does carry God’s authority, and that the Christians on Crete must learn that God has ordained all people to live under some authority in their lives to whom they are to submit.

When we read verse 15, it is obvious that Paul’s instructions are being directed to one who is in authority. As the only pastor at this time on the island, but setting the standard for all elders to come, Paul gives Titus four commands in this verse. In the original Greek it is just one sentence, making it a dynamite verse. In other words, this is a very powerful instruction to Titus and ultimately to every other Christian on the island of Crete who would eventually read or have read to them this letter. In turn, these words would be understood by them that God Himself has placed a human authority figure over them, whom they were to follow.

Now let’s look at each of these four commands. First, Paul instructs this pastor to “speak . . . with all authority.” As it did in 2:1, this word means to instruct or teach information to these Christians, based upon the Word of God. This command to “speak” points to the pastor’s responsibility to preach, announce, reveal, and disclose the Word of God, with the intent of making clear not only how individuals are to obey or apply the truth of God’s Word to their lives, but that they must obey His Word. Obedience to God’s Word is not an option.

This leads to the intent and meaning of the second command of Paul, to “exhort . . . with all authority.” The preacher who exhorts seeks by every means at his disposal to persuade and encourage his hearers not simply to understand but also to believe God’s truth and to submit to and obey God’s Word.

 Thirdly, whereas “exhort” is a positive command to encourage others to do what is right, “reprove with all authority” is a negative command meaning “to convince and correct one who does not yet recognize or admit that he must turn away from what is wrong.” God’s emphasis here to the pastor is that he must understand that no believer, friend, or fellow elder should be allowed to reject or disregard God’s truth.

By now you have probably noticed that I have added “with all authority” to each of these three commands. The reason for that is that the grammar of this sentence demands it. So to what does “with all authority” refer? It refers to the manner in which Titus is to speak, to the confidence of one who is prophetic. He should let no one intimidate him to not specifically and clearly handle the Word of God, whether it be in teaching, reproving, or exhorting, because the truth of God’s Word is at stake. He is not to let the church decide whether or not to obey the teaching of the Word.

This concept of speaking with authority is first mentioned in the New Testament in regard to how Jesus Christ spoke and taught. Four different times in the Gospels it is said that Jesus was speaking with authority. In Acts, as well, Peter is mentioned as speaking this way. However, no pastor is Jesus with inherent authority. In other words, my words are not the very words of God and life. Only Christ’s words or the words laid out in Scripture are the authoritative words.

This word “authority” is interesting. It has as its root word, “author.” That “author” is God. Hence, to deny the authority of God’s word is to deny God! If it were not for God, for His Spirit gifting and empowering individuals to teach God’s Word, and for the authority of God’s Word itself, we would have nothing to say. We would have no authority. We would have no confidence with which to preach.  But thanks be to God that we have His inspired Word.

Concerning this concept of the preacher’s authority, John MacArthur correctly states:

“The preacher is called to accurately interpret and proclaim Scripture with

sympathy, compassion, and humility. But he also has the divine charge to

present biblical truth with strong authority, commanding God’s people to hear,

believe and obey God’s Word. It is equally important, however, to understand

that no pastor has authority of any sort outside of God’s Word. . . . As long as

he is faithful to God’s Word, a pastor has the awesome privilege of ministering

with God-given authority. He is not called to share personal insights or

opinions, to philiosophize or even theologize, and certainly not to entertain with

words that appeal to the whims and prejudices of those to whom he ministers

or prejudices of culture.”

Finally, Paul’s last command here to Titus and to all the elders that come after him is “Let no one disregard you.” This is the only place in the New Testament that this word “disregard” or “despise,” as some of your translations have it, is used. This word does not refer to avoiding justified criticism, but rather to speaking and acting in an authoritative manner that will not be disregarded. This word means to “think around something, usually for the purpose of evasion.” Eventually, to disregard something means to strongly disagree with an idea and thus to treat it with disrespect.

Note carefully that Paul does not say, “Let no one disregard the word you preach,” but rather, “Let no one disregard you.” Undoubtedly Paul’s intention was that the people were not to disregard or treat Titus’ instruction, exhortation, and reproof as though it did not matter.

But by stating it as he does, Paul brings out the fact that people who would not be so bold as to reject the Word can nonetheless dodge the pointed personal application of the Word to their lives by disregarding the man who teaches the Word. If he exhorts or reproves them from the Word, they can criticize Titus or the preacher. (“Who does he think he is to say such things? He probably doesn’t practice what he preaches!”) And so, by disregarding the preacher, they disregard the Word. In reality, these foolish believers don’t realize that the issue is not about them and the preacher. It is between them and God and His Word. And when such a person acts in this manner, that person ultimately is not in submission to God but is dodging the serious implications of God’s Word for his life by attacking God’s messenger. And Titus is not to allow them to get away with such actions and is to confront them on that basis. 

In this regard, John Calvin wrote, “You can’t demand or prevent others from despising you or your authority based on God’s Word, but you can trust that whether they do or not, God has you covered. You are right in what you are doing.”

Once again, let’s keep the importance of the historical context in view. Why would Paul express such concern for Titus? Perhaps there was a natural opposition (a lawless rebellion) to authority, especially when that authority, Titus in this case, was demanding a change in their immoral and godless behavior. Remember the Cretan lifestyle which many Christians had become accustomed to sharing!

Having seen what Paul’s instructions are to those who find themselves in the position of being in authority, I want now to make five instructive, Biblically-based statements concerning those who are under one form or another of human authority. My purpose in doing so is to help us understand this important concept of submission to authority, so that we will be confident in knowing that our lives are indeed fully submitted to God, who is the ultimate authority. I want you to be able to reap the present day blessings that come from a life of submission to Him.

First, all authority in heaven and earth has been delegated by God.  Note Romans 13:1-2:

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For

there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are

established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed

the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive

condemnation upon themselves.”

Without exception, every one of us is under someone else’s authority. Even kings and presidents are under God’s authority. There is no authority, no school administration, no boss or employer, no coach, no soldier with rank who has received that authority apart from God, whether they believe in God or not.

The Bible makes this same point in Daniel 4:17, 25. We read:

The Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives

them [the right to rule kingdoms] to anyone he chooses—even to the

lowliest of people. . . . The Most High rules over the kingdoms of

the world and gives them [the right to rule kingdoms] to anyone he

chooses.

Back when we studied Titus 1:5, we learned there that in the local church a plurality of elders are responsible for overseeing the leadership of the church. The Bible also states in 1 Peter 5:3 that as God’s authority over the church family, elders are not to lord it over or run roughshod over or treat disrespectfully those allotted to their care, but rather they are to be examples to the flock of what it means to be servant leaders. Therefore, if an elder or a group of elders disregard God’s Word and lord it over the church, they need to be confronted following the biblical guidelines laid out for confronting elders in 1 Timothy 5:19-20. And if they were wrong and they do not repent, they should be removed from office and put under church discipline. Only obedient men, who acknowledge that they are under God’s sovereign authority, are in a position to exercise biblical authority in a local church.

Secondly, Romans 13 goes on to say,

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you

want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have

praise from the same; for it [governmental authority] is a minister of God to

you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the

sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath

on the one who practices evil.

In other words, all authority is designed for our blessing and protection. Authority was not placed over us to cause us to be afraid. We should only be afraid of authority if we choose to rebel or do evil. The only time we naturally should fear any authority is if that authority becomes wicked, evil, or abusive. Take for example the authority in the home. In a home where there is a husband, according to the Lord he is the ultimate authority over that home. The Lord also ordains the parents to be the authorities over the children. But if a husband or parent abuses those over whom they have guardianship, they must be confronted. If confronted, then those being abused need to seek the protection of the government and the leaders of their local church. If it turns out that the government is the abuser, then in such a case, God ultimately will judge the abuser. But when authority is exercised properly and followed, authority blesses and protects those under it.

A third truth regarding authority is that authority does not imply superiority. Feminists who bristle at the thought of a wife submitting to her husband contend that to submit implies inferiority. But note 1 Corinthians 11:3: “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.”  If subjection means inferiority, then it would mean that Jesus Christ is inferior to the Father, which is heresy! The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are equal as persons in their eternal deity, but to carry out the divine plan of redemption, the Son submitted to the Father and the Spirit submitted to the Son. But the Son and the Spirit are equally God along with the Father. There is no competition or striving for superiority between the Father and the Son. There is infinite mutual love between them and voluntary submission on the part of the Son. The same relationship should prevail in the Christian home.

Next, authority concerns character primarily and position secondarily. When Paul tells Titus, “Let no one disregard you,” he did not mean that Titus was to assert his authority by letting people know that they couldn’t push him around. Rather, he meant, as he wrote to Titus in 2:7-8, “Titus, be such an example of godliness and good deeds that people will not be able to disregard your message because they know that your life backs it up.” It is the same thing that Paul said to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, when he told him not to let anyone look down on his youthfulness. How was Timothy to do that? Paul told Timothy, “but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

But, there is also a secondary aspect of authority, namely, the authority of position or office. Hopefully, the man who fills the office graces the position with godly character. But even if an authority figure falls short, whether it be an authority figure at school, in the home, in government, at work, or even in the church, we need to maintain a certain respect for the office. When Paul wrote Romans 13, the supreme authority in Rome was the godless emperor, Nero. He was an immoral, cruel madman; but even so, Paul commanded believers to submit out of respect for the God-ordained position of authority.  In a similar manner and for the same reason, Peter told slaves to obey unjust masters and wives to submit to unbelieving husbands (1 Peter 2:18-3). Why? Because we must respect the position of authority, which God ordained.

Lastly, authority is exercised in the local church through clear teaching of and correcting with God’s Word. We don’t have time for it here, but we will come back to the subject of church correction or discipline of a church family member when we come to Titus 3:10-11. But people learn and understand the role of authority in life when God’s Word on the subject is clearly presented to the people.

Rarely does a Sunday pass following the teaching of God’s Word when someone doesn’t come up to me and say something like, “Man, you’re killing me! That teaching has stopped and forced me to rethink such and so.” Folks, that has very little to do with the preacher and much more to do with the authority of the living Word of God. Both the preacher and the congregation are under the same authority of the Word. If the teaching from God’s Word steps on your toes, it probably stepped all over mine while I was studying the text for the message. We all must obey God’s Word.

Let’s summarize what we have studied this morning with this thought concerning the subject of Biblical authority. Our text is saying that men of God must teach God’s Word and lead the church with true Biblical authority, and the church must submit to such authority. Authority is not a bad thing. But to resist, question, or deny rightful authority is an evil thing.

Have you committed yourself to submit to God’s authority as revealed in His Word? If not, then can Jesus truly be your Lord? Keep in mind that selective obedience is really not obedience at all.

Which sphere of God-ordained authority do you find most difficult to submit to: the government, the church, or authority at home, school, or work?

If you are in a position of authority, do you find yourself tempted to wrongly use it for selfish goals, or do you exercise it fearfully because of your responsibility before God? Do you lead with an air of superiority or by humbly serving and blessing those you lead?

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