Chapter 17
Titus
The History:
In the first century AD, there were several cults in Crete: The cult of Augustus, the cult of the deified Claudius, the cult of Asclepius - a god of healing, and the Egyptian cults of Isis and Serapis. Under Tiberius245, Crete was used to send exiles to from Rome. Roman administrators organized quinquennial games and issued coins, but Crete tried to maintain a distinct Greek identity.
Paul established the Church in Crete on his fourth missionary journey, in the short period after being found not guilty at his first trial and his second and final trial. He is understood to have gone from Rome to Crete246, then onto Corinth, Miletus, Macedonia—(possibly Philippi), Colossae, Troas, Ephesus and Nicopolis247. As Paul left, he is reported to have wept with the Church on the shore saying, ‘I know after I go, wolves will come in sheep’s clothing and ravage you’.248 Paul’s second arrest brought his fourth missionary journey to an end. He was sent to Mamertine Prison, which was much rougher than being kept in house arrest in his own lodgings. During his second Roman imprisonment, Paul knew the time of his departure from this world was near249. He was cared for by Luke and Onesiphorus, but abandoned by many others. Nero was on a rampage against Christians in Rome and beheaded Paul. While Paul was in Mamertine prison, he sent Timothy to Ephesus. He also confirmed Titus was to remain leader of Crete church.
The person:
Titus was from a Gentile and pagan background. Titus was commended for his quality character, by the members of his home church. And Paul took him on as a second protégé in the mission, alongside Timothy. Paul did circumcise him in order that he might go into the synagogue with him while they travelled together. He was an excellent worker, much more confident in character than Timothy. In Crete, they didn’t have elders, so Paul appointed Titus as pastor,250 leaving him to establish the other roles in the Church. Paul did this because Titus was strong on doctrine and could better face up to the Judaizers who were trying to get a foothold in church. Paul was concerned about the quality of membership at Crete. They were a mixed bunch and a competitive lot. Philosophizers rather than biblical teachers were heading the Church, so Titus was the better man to sort that out.
The Letter:
The letters to Timothy and Titus are quickly criticized by Feminists for their portrayal of women. Bear in mind that Paul is writing a personal letter. Bear in mind that Paul is writing to Titus, a new pastor in a Greek church, where philosophers, not scripture teachers in the pulpit. Bear in mind also, the number of women in these two books commended and honoured.251 Bear in mind that these are letters written to two young men pastors in a lax Greek environment. Bear in mind that as far as we know these are young, unmarried men, in a promiscuous society, who only have the advice from the book of proverbs as their reference point in these matters.
Once again, the advice given is about establishing leadership. Paul is aware of an indisputable fact that no church can go further than its leader. Therefore, leaders must be of irreproachable character, (by scriptural standards, not Greek). Preachers and Teachers must be likewise in character, plus they must be fully conversant with the whole of scripture, not Greek philosophy.252
On a different level, behaviour must demonstrate a rightful and reverent respect for authority, both civil and church. Behaviour is the outward demonstration of what is going on in their heart253. Paul will send Titus some support in either Artimas or Tychecus, as soon as he is able. But please could the Church send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos to him ASAP. Every Blessing from myself and the team here.254
Chapter 18
Peter
The History:
One-Peter was written sixty-three AD, just before the burning of Rome. Two-Peter was written in sixty-seven AD, just before his death.
The book claims Peter was writing from Babylon255 but, although we know there was a number of Jewish believers in Babylon, we have no record of Peter going there. So it may be figurative. We do know Peter did go to Rome, (with his wife) and lived there a while before his death. We also know that Rome was referred to by some, as the second Babylon. So this is probably code. Why code? Once again, the Church was under scrutiny by Rome intelligence, and it would help protect the people mentioned in the letter. To whom is he writing? The Christians in modern day Northern-Turkey. That is higher up than the seven churches to which Paul and Timothy went. Places include: Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
The person:
Peter the Pebble, a blue collar worker with an impulsive nature, that is a general view. But the Sanhedrin made that mistake and had to change their minds, saying How did these unlearned and ignorant persons get to know all this? Born in a little fishing village on the edge of Galilee called Bethsaida he moved to Capernaum where Jesus set up his ministry base.
The Letter:
Peter might almost be a synopsis of Paul’s doctrinal letters. In Peter’s letters, he lays out a basic relationship between Faith, Hope and Love, this is the basis of: Salvation, Citizenship and Destination.256 Peter recognizes, he does not cover the subject as fully as Paul257, recommending his readers should also read what Paul has to say on the subject, and treat Paul’s writings as scripture, alongside the Old-Testament scriptures they already have258. Peter’s treats Faith, Hope and Love as the three essential steps, each based firmly on the foundation of the previous level259.
In 1 Peter he deals mainly with the foundation of faith, and building on it hope. In 2 Peter he deals with continuing in hope for the reaping benefits to come.
In the New Testament, Simon is the name of several characters, including the man who carried the cross for Jesus. This Simon, the son of Jonah, (Simon Peter), was a natural leader. ‘Simon’260 means, ‘rustling’. It also means ‘a wavering reed,’ or‘ sand-like’. Jesus of course, nicknamed him Peter, ‘a stone’. It was probably this renaming that gave Peter the confidence to open his letter ‘A special Messenger…chosen and foreknown by God the father, changed by the Holy Spirit and obedient to Jesus’.261 Peter is going to tell us how to cope with trials, but his opening remarks are, ‘before you can cope with the trials, you must be sure of your salvation’. Once you submit to Jesus the Messiah, (who submitted to God the Father), you don’t fight troubles, you submit to them. In the kingdom you have no rights. If the Son and Master gave them up, then so must his followers. Faith, Hope and Love, is a trinity that carries us through trouble. If you want a stable life now, see Hope as the rope, secured to the anchor. You cannot see the far end but you know it is securing and stabilizing you from the tumult. Hope changes the character attitude from, ‘I want to stay, but I am willing to go’, to ‘I want to go, but I am willing to stay’.
By chapter-four, (having establishing hope as an essential foundation), Peter turns to Persecution. As people of God, you are part of the Temple of God. As a church that is, not as individuals, you are Priests to your persecutors. Never deserve the suffering, never seek revenge, do not let it get you, it cannot touch the spirit. While you live in their kingdom, submit to their authority. Learn to be happy, pay taxes, be loyal subjects, do most things expected, except where it conflicts with immoral or the illegal issues against God’s Law. In that way, when trials come your attitude will be right.
Maybe, Peter was reminiscing the time Jesus spoke to them at the temple of Pan in Caesarea Philippi as he wrote chapter-three verses eighteen and following.
Christ himself suffered when he died for you, and with that one death he paid for your sins… In his physical form he was killed, but he was made alive by the Spirit. And by the Spirit he went and preached to the spirits in prison.
These verses have caused controversy in the Church. Everywhere else, scripture is clear death is the end of our chances to accept salvation. Mormons, Liberals and some others, seize upon these verses to argue, ‘See, we do have a second chance’. Evangelicals and conservatives say. ‘Jesus only went to Herald262 his victory to those imprisoned, not to preach’. Any Greeks reading this would think that natural as the Conqueror always rode through the conquered to announce His victory.
One thing only we can be certain of, Jesus kept his word the thief when he said ‘Today you will be with me in Paradise’. Peter is clear Jesus was alive in the spirit from the moment of his death on the cross.263 Jesus is active conscious between death and resurrection. Taken at face value Jesus is awake alive and active immediately after separation of body and spirit, even if it is three days later when he is first seen in His new body.
Take comfort in this Hope.
The second letter is written to the same people but in a totally different situation four-years later. Rome had been burned by Nero and the Church was under intense persecution having falsely been blamed. For many, these accusations were a sign of the tribulation that Paul had spoken of in Thessalonians. Why should they be punished when they are not guilty? Why doesn't God punish the wicked? Peter explains:
It is important for you to understand what will happen in the last days. People will laugh at you. They will live following the evil they do. They will say, ‘Jesus promised to come again. Where is he? Our fathers have died, but the world continues the way it has been since it was made’. But these people don't want to remember what happened long ago. The skies were there, and God made the earth from water and with water sent a flood. All this happened by God's word.264
In all of this, the theme of two-Peter is. Use all circumstances to pursue spiritual maturity. Look after virtue, true knowledge, patience, self-control, godliness, and brotherly- kindness because your hope is in the eternal Kingdom where righteousness reigns.
My friends, do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall. Then our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into his kingdom that will last forever. 265
245 AD 14–37
246 Titus 1:5
247 2 Timothy 4:20 , 2 Timothy 4:20, 1 Timothy 1:3, Philemon 1:22, 2 Timothy 4:13 , 1 Timothy 3:14; 4:13 , Titus 3:12
248 Acts 20: 29
249 2 Timothy 4:6
250 who had now been with him for about fourteen-years,
251 2 Timothy 1: 5; 1 Timothy 5: 2, 4, older women instructors: Titus 2: 3-5, 1 Timothy 5: 3, 16, 1 Timothy 5: 9- 10, 1 Timothy 5: 16, women deacons 1 Timothy 3:11.
252 Titus 1: 6 - 2: 15
253 Titus 2: 16 - 3: 12
254 Titus 3: 13 - 3: 15
255 I Peter 5:13
256 Justification, sanctification and glorification are the technical terms.
257 Not surprising when Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones spent 780 hours expounding Paul’s Letter to Romans alone.
258 2 Peter 3: 15-16 (this also shows the Church were accepting the writings of Paul as early as 65 AD)
259 See preamble to Letters or fuller description
260 verse 17
2611 Peter 1:2
262 The Greek is Herald but it translated preach here as elsewhere in scripture.
263 1 Peter 3 :18-22.
264 2 Peter 3: 5
265 2 Peter 1