Advice to a Young Pastor

Timothy was Paul's young protégée. Paul considered Timothy his own son in the faith. They were traveling, evangelizing, establishing Churches, and leaving those congregations with the sound doctrine of Jesus Christ, as they would move on to another location to preach and teach. At times, when Paul couldn't be with a congregation himself, he sent Timothy to visit them, check up on their progress in the faith, and encourage them to continue learning and growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Then, bring back to Paul his report on their welfare

Two of Paul's 13 epistles were written to Timothy, as they ministered together in the Word. The instructions often had to do with the doctrine Paul had learned from Jesus Christ. Teach it, honor it, obey it, preserve it, revere it, protect it, and don't allow anyone to corrupt it. The proper function of your Church depends on it.

Paul's instruction to Timothy was to keep the local Church always mindful of the doctrine Paul had taught them, and never deviate from it. They would be infiltrated by false teachers and tempted to go back to religion, but Paul's constant warning was "don't do that! And don't allow any false teaching to be presented in your Church."

 1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, - and add no incidentals.

The law was not made for the righteous, but for vile sinners, among them....
1 Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Yes, Satan has his own system of doctrine, and it often closely counterfeits God's truth. It can seduce, if we don't know the Bible very well.

Keep reminding the brethren....
1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

In Paul's absence, there is one priority....
1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Don't drop the ball, Timothy.....
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Teaching doctrine is an honorable thing....
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Teach the servants to respect their masters....
1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Separate from some folks....
1 Timothy 6:3-5 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; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Timothy was there through it all. He had witnessed Paul's endurance of persecutions, because of the doctrine.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Doctrine matures us, equips us for the work of the ministry.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. Anytime, any place, be ready to preach God's Word. Instruct with patience and emphasize doctrine as the means of Christian growth.

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Sad prophecy, but Paul knew it was true, and so do we. We are living with that truth now. The general population are not only bored with Bible doctrine, they are offended by the doctrine and by the term itself. Entertainment, not teaching, is the expectation of a vast majority of today's Christians. Therefore, they are not prepared to handle even the most mundane daily adversity, or to witness the truth of Jesus Christ to the common man.

Entertainment can be had anywhere, anytime. There is only one place and time to be taught Bible doctrine, which equips the saints for ministry. The local Church, under the leadership of a capable Pastor/Teacher.

The man who can teach you, to whom you will respond with confidence in his leadership, is the right one for your advance to spiritual maturity. Find him. The Holy Spirit will lead you to him. Listen to him. Learn from him.

You'll be glad you did.



 

 

New Testament – Pauline Epistles – 13 Books

The word epistle means letter, especially a formal or didactic (teaching) one; written communication. The first 13 New Testament epistles to the Churches were written by Paul. They were not written first, but are arranged first in the published canon of scripture.

The 4 Gospels are Jesus’ human biography; the Acts of the Apostles (1 book) is the early history of the Church; the Epistles are the teaching to the Church about the Christian Way of Life, designed for His New Creation: born-again believers in Jesus who are no longer Jews or Gentiles, but Church; Jews AND Gentiles, IN CHRIST forever, having been redeemed by His finished work on the cross. In these epistles the doctrinal revelation and theological significance of all those prior events are explained.

Since our purpose here is to hone our Bible Skills, we will occupy ourselves with memorizing the names of the epistles, in their published order. Again, as with the Old Testament books, we’ll employ a little gimmickry. Here’s my breakdown in three sections:  

Romans,  1^st & 2^nd Corinthians

Say it that way. “Romans, First and Second Corinthians.” It rolls off the tongue quickly and easily and will be easier to remember. They are the first 3, and generally the longest of the Pauline Epistles. Romans (to the Church at Rome) is deeply theological, setting forth Jesus’ work of redemption as humanity’s only hope. In 1^st Corinthians (written to the Church at Corinth), Paul taught those former pagans to separate themselves from the decadence of their former life and grow up spiritually. 2^nd Corinthians is Paul’s defense of his own apostolic authority in the face of harsh criticism by false teachers.

Galatians, Ephesians ,Philippians, Colossians  

Many years ago, while teaching Bible Skills to children, I was introduced to a clever acrostic for these 4 epistles: General Electric Power Company (Thanks, Rebekah Beene.) Easy to remember. Easy to say to oneself while reciting or trying to locate these teaching letters about the importance of grace versus legalism  (Galatians), the truth of our eternal union with Christ (Ephesians), rejoicing even as we are tested (Philippians), warnings against asceticism and mysticism, which are false systems of spirituality (Colossians).

1^st & 2^nd  Thessalonians, 1^st & 2^nd  Timothy, Titus and Philemon  

For the purpose of memorization, “3 T’s and a P.” Thessalonians (1 &2) – Timothy (1 & 2) – Titus (only one) – and Philemon. Remember Thessalonians is the longest name (to the Church at Thessalonica). Timothy is a shorter name (written to Paul’s protégé and adopted son in the faith, advice and encouragement for pastoring). Titus is the shortest of the T names, and the last of this group of T’s. He was also a young pastor and protégé of Paul. That leaves Philemon, the final epistle from Paul. It is the name of a slave owner who was Paul’s Christian friend. His slave stole from him and had run away and had believed in Christ through Paul’s preaching. This letter is a very personal appeal to the slave’s owner for forgiveness and restoration to fellowship of this new believer in Jesus Christ. Philemon is short and personal, but contains great teaching of practical application to all Christians.

Although the epistles were addressed to particular local congregations or individuals, they were recognized and circulated as scripture to be studied and applied for the whole Church. People are people wherever they are, and the teachings of the Word of God have universal application to all believers at all times.

Paul wrote prolifically, as he traveled and preached, establishing local Churches and moving on to another area to preach. He wrote some letters from prison. He knew the law was fulfilled in Christ and that the Church is the manifestation of Christ’s body in the earth, and that her eternal position is IN HIM. The new believers had lived their former lives either as Gentile idolaters or as legalistic Jews. In either case, they were in need of clear teaching about their new nature as Sons of God. So are we. The epistles written by Paul and the other apostles establish the doctrines of the Church and enable individual believers to understand exactly who we are and how we should conduct our (now eternal) life.

“…… I (Paul) became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:25-27