The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
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O<strong>the</strong>r qualifications (in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> elders—I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9):<br />
1. “Above reproach” or “blameless”--I Tim 3:2; Titus 2:7)--<strong>The</strong> word literally means<br />
“nothing to take hold upon.” <strong>The</strong> word is used <strong>of</strong> a position which is not open to attack, <strong>of</strong> a life<br />
which is not open to censure. This means a Christian leader must be <strong>the</strong> kind <strong>of</strong> person against<br />
whom no criticism can be made. <strong>The</strong>re must not be any grounds for accusing such a person <strong>of</strong><br />
improper Christian behavior. A person <strong>of</strong> good character who has a good reputation.<br />
2. “Husband <strong>of</strong> one wife” (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1-6)—A leader’s home life is very important,<br />
and especially his marriage. Not a bigamist. In a culture where men frequently cohabited with<br />
more than one woman, Paul needed to make it very clear that an elder in <strong>the</strong> church was to be a<br />
“one-wife man”--loyal to her and her alone. <strong>The</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> interpretation that <strong>the</strong> elder could only<br />
have been married once is unlikely in view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> Scripture.<br />
3. “Temperate” (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8)—Self-controlled. Later Paul emphasizes this by saying<br />
that we are to be “temperate in all things” (II Tim. 4:5). It means to “keep your head in all<br />
situations” (New International Version). He must not be a man who is in bondage to himself and<br />
to <strong>the</strong> desires <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flesh. He remains stable and steadfast and his thinking is clear, that is, “calm,<br />
cool and collected.” He doesn’t lose perspective because <strong>of</strong> false security. “He is one in whose<br />
heart Christ’s power reigns and on whose life Christ’s beauty shines.” 20<br />
4. “Prudent” (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8)—Sensible, sober, wise and balanced in judgment. He<br />
must have a serious attitude and be in earnest about his work. He must not be given to quick and<br />
superficial decisions based on immature thinking. He is a humble man who has a proper view <strong>of</strong><br />
himself and is keenly aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fact that all that he has (gifts, ability, possessions) are from<br />
God. Without Him, he is nothing at all. He also <strong>the</strong>n has a proper view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> grace <strong>of</strong> God as he<br />
realizes that he was lost without Christ and that all his human abilities and achievements were<br />
useless in winning any favor with God.<br />
5. “Respectable” (I Tim. 3:2)—Orderly life. He must demonstrate good, proper or decent<br />
behavior. He is a person who lives in such a way that his life-style adorns <strong>the</strong> teachings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Bible. He is to be a Christian gentleman in all areas <strong>of</strong> his life.<br />
6. “Hospitable” (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8)—Open heart and open home. <strong>The</strong> word means<br />
literally “loving <strong>the</strong> stranger.” This was an important ministry in <strong>the</strong> early church when traveling<br />
believers would need places to stay (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; III Jn. 5-8). A leader must be<br />
unselfish and willing to share his blessings with o<strong>the</strong>rs. His home life and personal life must be<br />
characterized by “hospitality.”