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In the 1960s, there was a science fiction TV weekly serial called “The Invaders”. Aliens had arrived on earth and plan to take over. An architect, David Vincent, had accidentally learnt of this secret alien invasion. He travelled from place to place, trying to foil the aliens’ plots and to warn the skeptical masses of the dangers. The aliens had taken the form of humans but they had certain features by which they could be detected. They were emotionless and had little fingers which were bent at an unnatural angle.
In the early Church period, false teachers invaded the Churches in Crete. They posed a serious threat to the Christians by the things they taught. Externally, they looked very much like other Christian teachers – were Jews themselves (Tit. 1:10) and “claim to know God” (Tit. 1:16). However, their motives were very different from Apostle Paul and Titus. They were “rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception” (Tit. 1:10) and doing things “for the sake of dishonest gain” (Tit. 1:11).
Owing to these false teachings, God’s people were embracing doctrines and practices which they imagined to be correct but were definitely erroneous. Paul gave some ideas of the beliefs of these false teachers. He mentioned “Jewish myths” – the far-fetched stories of Jewish heroes which gave a wrong impression of the nature of Christian faith and the power of God. He also spoke of “the commands of those who reject the truth” – the people who impose strict rules and regulations on the everyday pleasures of food and marriage. Like Jesus, Paul taught that it is the heart that counts in matters of purity – not blaming sin on food, sex or customs.
David Vincent had stumbled on “The Invaders” by their appearance and intentions. However, Paul was illumined by the Holy Spirit about the false teachers and instructed his co-worker Titus to appoint Elders able to teach Christians sound doctrine and to refute those who opposed it. Titus is to appoint Elders who are “blameless” in both character and conduct.
Today Paul’s instructions continues to be relevant to us. Jesus said in Matt. 24:11,12: “and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” Let us earnestly petition the Head of the Church – the Lord Jesus Christ – for godly and blameless Elders who are teachers of the Bible, God’s gift to our Church.
