Verses 1-7
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Also considering the other qualities listed here, pastors must be married to one woman (and never divorced during their time as a believer), blameless to others in their character, and if they have children, they must be in submission to them. Why is this important?
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How they lead themselves and their homes is how they will lead the church.
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If you are in a position in a church to appoint someone as a pastor/leader, do not appoint them if they do not meet these qualifications.
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Uniquely, leadership is a position that is earned, and should not be given lightly.
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"temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior": A leader must be known for being a person of constant integrity, and have great self-control, showing no signs of emotional outburst, impulsiveness, or addictive behaviors.
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"hospitable": A leader must have a clean and peaceful home, show generosity with his time, and thus consistently invite members of his church into his home to serve them, feed them, make them feel welcome, etc.
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"able to teach": A leader must be able to teach the Word of God straight from Scripture, without opinion, and with concise, clear points that can be understood, retained, and acted upon wherever needed. Leaders that are long-winded, are unclear and confusing, or focus on their own opinions that don't come from Scripture, should not be teaching and thus should not be in leadership.
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"not given to wine": A leader must not ever be drunk, nor consume substances that alter the mind. A leader also must not be addicted to or dependent on any substance, food, or drink, for his contentment.
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"not violent...not quarrelsome": A leader must never be found fighting or arguing, nor stirring up arguments with others.
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"not greedy for money...not covetous": A leader must not show any sign of seeking the work of the ministry for the purpose of making money, nor can he be found teaching on money to try to get people to give to him. He must have his own work outside of the church that sufficiently provides for himself and his household, even with no support from the church, so as to fend off greed and covetousness (Acts 20:33-35).
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"not a novice": A leader must not be a new believer, and also show that he meets all of the above qualifications, and has done so for an extended period of time as a believer (years), so as to test and prove by consistency over time the genuiness of his repentance and obedience (see verse 10).
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"but gentle": A leader must be self-controlled enough to deal with problems or sin in the church with restraint. He must be able to give a person less than they deserve, and speak to them the way they need to be spoken to (whether softly or harshly), without being overtaken by emotion.
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"a good testimony among those who are outside": A leader must have a good reputation for his character from unbelievers in his life and from believers outside of his own community. A leader who has left another church on bad terms due to his sinful choices, only to try to join the leadership of another church, is disqualified.
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Verses 8-15
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Deacons are other leaders and helpers, though not pastors, who handle important matters in the church, such as the church's finances or other administrative responsibilities (Acts 6:1-6, Romans 16:1-2). They can also aid pastors by receiving instruction to help meet the needs of members of the church.
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Uphold strict qualifications for these leaders also. They also must have strong character, with their marriage and household in order.
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Deacons and elders should both be tested before they are appointed.
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Prove the quality of their character and their ability through time and building relationship with them.
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Don't appoint leaders hastily. Be patient with the process of getting to know them.
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All the leaders in the early church were recognized by everyone for their character (Acts 6:3-5, Acts 11:24, Philippians 2:22).
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Verses 14-15
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The instructions in Chapters 2 and 3 of this epistle are given so that we know how to conduct ourselves in the community of the church.
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The church exists to uphold the truth, so we must live in a way that well-represents the truth.
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The church is built on the truth (Ephesians 2:20), preaches the truth (Mark 16:15), preserves and defends the truth (Jude 1:3).
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As a member of that church, represent the truth well by being godly in your character, submissive to your leaders, and orderly in your conduct.
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Verses 16-17
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These things are inseparable to the gospel. Know that anyone who disputes these things does not believe in the truth:
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Jesus is indeed God in the flesh—He became a Man.
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He is the Son of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit upon Him (Romans 1:4).
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And He bodily ascended to heaven, to return again (Revelation 1:7).
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Also see 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 for other indisputable traits of the gospel.
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