Sound Doctrine and Timothy’s Ministry: Part 1 Read 1 Timothy 1:18–20 I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you. 1 Timothy 1:18 A recent Barna Group study ranked “America’s Most Bible-Minded Cities.” Based on interviews with more than 40,000 Americans, the study named the top spot as a tie among Knoxville, TN; Shreveport, LA; and Chattanooga, TN. In general, Southern cities were the most Bible-minded, with New England as the least Bibleminded region. “Bible-mindedness” and Christ-centeredness are essential for sound doctrine. This was true for Paul, whose testimony we read yesterday, and it was true for Timothy. When Timothy joined the Apostle’s ministry team during his second missionary journey, there had been a formal commissioning or laying on of hands by the elders at Lystra (see Acts 16:1–5; 2 Tim. 1:6). On this occasion, certain prophecies had been made regarding his calling and future ministry. We don’t know exactly what these prophecies were, but Paul publicly reminded Timothy of them in order to inspire and encourage him in the midst of a difficult situation in Ephesus. Paul formally commanded Timothy to oppose the false teachers, but even an apostle’s authority wouldn’t make it easy. Standing for truth is always a battle! To fight well would require “faith and a good conscience,” that is, personal purity and holiness (v. 19). Paul reminded Timothy of the consequences of false teaching. When a person rejects faith and godliness, they shipwreck their lives, as Hymenaeus and Alexander had done. Alexander had opposed Paul’s ministry (2 Tim. 4:14); Hymenaeus had taught lies concerning the resurrection (2 Tim. 2:17–18). As a result, these two men had been “handed over to Satan” or excommunicated. This is a last resort in church discipline and was intended to drive the rebels back to God (v. 20). What does your church or denomination believe and practice with regard to church discipline? Study your church constitution or denominational policies and discuss this issue with a pastor or other church leader to make sure you understand. The goal is not punishing but rather restoring an erring brother or sister and maintaining the church’s witness.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Jul 2013 11:15:29 +0000
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