A Study About Elders - Holy | Words Of Truth
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

A Study About Elders
Holy


I. Introduction:

A. The Lord’s body, the church is to be without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27).

  1. Our part in that is to live faithfully, holy, blamelessly, etc. (Ephesians 1:3-4, Philippians 2:14-16, and Titus 2:11-14).
  2. Yet, we KNOW that of the many “called” (II Thessalonians 2:14) few are going to live up to that call (Matthew 22:14 and Luke 13:23-24; cf. I Timothy 5:24-25).
B. The “last days” that we live in started in the first century (Hebrews 1:1-2).

  1. In these last days we are in perilous times which means it is hard to find holy individuals (II Timothy 3:1-5).
  2. These are the days wherein people walk after their own lusts (II Peter 3:1-3 and Jude 1:18).
  3. So, we are about to talk about how an elder must be “holy”. In evil days, think about how this is a rare trait.

II. Body: Holy (Titus 1:8).

A. The term translated “holy” [ὅσιος] means: “Properly, right (by intrinsic or divine character; thus distinguished from # 1342, which refers rather to human statutes and relations; from # 2413, which denotes formal consecration; and from # 40, which relates to purity from defilement), i.e. hallowed (pious, sacred, sure): — holy, mercy, shalt be. Undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious” (Strong’s # 3741).

  1. This term is used in identification of Christ (Acts 2:27, Acts 13:26-35, and Hebrews 7:26).
  2. In a vision of John, when we read the angels were observing the plagues during a time of apostasy; they referred to God as the only one of this holy being (Revelation 15:4).
  3. This word is used to describe how we are supposed to come before the Lord with holy hands (I Timothy 2:8; cf. Isaiah 59:1-3).
B. Think about one who is “undefiled” (Psalms 119:1-3).

  1. This certainly means, right actions; being unspotted (James 1:21-27).
  2. Even in a congregation that had become spiritually dead, there were a few that were undefiled (Revelation 3:1-6).
C. A man that is pure; righteous; free from wickedness (Psalms 1:1-6, Psalms 15:1-5, Proverbs 13:6, and I Timothy 5:22).

  1. Being righteous, in action, is an identifier (I John 2:29).
  2. Being pure, opposed to being defiled, has an effect on even the perspective of a person (Titus 1:15).
  3. This righteousness is what we became when we were converted (Ephesians 4:22-24) and have to maintain throughout our earthly lives (Titus 3:8; 3:14).
  4. If understanding cannot be found in these Scriptures, look to the conduct of God for more definition of this subject (Psalms 145:17).

III. Conclusion: “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (I Thessalonians 4:7).