Conduct in the Household of God

Christ’s church is His body of members: believing Jews; Gentiles; men; women; slave or free (Rom 12:4–5; 1 Cor 12:12–27; Gal 3:28; Eph 3:6; 4:25). It is right for Spirit-filled Christians to behave properly in relationship to God, to one another, and toward the unbelieving populous. This was the very intent of the Apostle Paul, when he wrote to Timothy at Ephesus and Titus at Crete.

Christ’s church is threatened by the principalities and powers opposed to her (Rom 8:38; Eph 6:12). Subterfuge by enemies of the Gospel is clever, especially when they infiltrate the body of Christ and attempt to poison her with false teaching from those among her own ranks (2 Pet 2:1).

The church belongs to Christ (Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:23; Gal 3:29; 5:24), who purchased her with His precious blood on the cursed Roman tree at Golgotha (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 1:19). Her firm foundation is the teaching of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone — by which all true teaching is aligned (Eph 2:20; 4:21).

The true and living God has installed His true and faithful Son as Leader and Head over the chosen people of God (Mt 23:10; Eph 1:22; 5:23; Col 1:18). All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus Christ (Mt 28:18), in order to rule and to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords with the most exalted Name (Is 9:7; Dan 2:44; Lk 1:33; 1 Cor 15:25; Eph 1:21; Phil 2:9; 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 11:15; Rev 19:6).

The Apostle Paul’s separation from his younger protégés prompted the pastoral epistles to be written as instruction manuals for church order. This is how these three letters have been employed by local churches for the past two thousand years. Paul’s stated desire to Timothy was for a reunion visit, but a delay seemed probable at the time of writing (1 Tim 3:14–15). In God’s providence, this delay blessed the churches everywhere, at all times with these instructions on order in the church.

At Ephesus was the Temple of Diana (Artemis). With 100 ionic columns supporting a magnificent roof, this structure dominated the visible city skyline from a far distance. This building was the architectural pride of Ephesus, along with the very sizeable theater that could seat thousands of people (Acts 19:28–35).

The house of God is a structure founded on the truth; and she is also on mission to lift high the exalted truth, Christ Jesus, for the whole world to see (Jn 14:6; 24:14; Mk 16:15; Acts 1:8). This is why Paul referred to Christ’s church as “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15). Christians unashamedly promote the excellencies of Christ by proclaiming His Lordship and kingdom (Rom 1:16–17; Phil 2:11; Col 1:28; 1 Pet 2:9).

Christ’s church is the kingdom of God, in the Spirit (Rom 14:17), amidst the kingdom of this world — a world at enmity with King Jesus (Jn 7:7). These two opposing kingdoms are in conflict because of the nature and character of their kings and citizenry. One kingdom is light (1 Pet 2:9). The other is darkness (Col 1:13). One promotes truth (Eccl 12:10; 1 Tim 2:7); and the other promulgates lies (Jn 8:44).

When a soul is caused to be born again from spiritual deadness (Jn 3:1–8; Eph 2:1; 1 Pet 1:3), it is the Spirit’s work in transferring the sinner from the domain of darkness and unto the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col 1:13), in whom He is well-pleased (Mt 3:17; 17:5; Mk 1:11, Lk 3:22; 2 Pet 1:17). Unjust, unholy sons of disobedience, shown mercy, are given grace by God to manifest a new, spiritual life (Ezek 36:27; Jn 10:10; Eph 2:2; 1 Cor 2:14–15; 2 Cor 5:17).

This new, abundant, and eternal life is lived in communion with God and with those who have also received the same Spirit, who gives faith as a gift to whom God wills to give it (Eph 2:8–9; Phil 1:29; 2 Pet 1:1). Order in the church of God lends itself to the advancement of the Gospel, which serves to grow the church numerically and into mature conformity with Christ (Rom 8:29; Eph 4:15–16).

Jesus Christ our Lord is the epitome of godliness as a man because He is the God-man revealed in the flesh (1 Tim 3:16a). The incarnation of the Son of God is essential to our Christian creeds and confessions (Jn 1:14). Jesus’ humanity is one of the fundamentals of Christian doctrine. It is the Holy Spirit who bears witness of Christ to the world (Jn 15:26; 16:13; 1 Tim 3:16b). As the Spirit of truth illumines the Word of truth, Christ, the Son of Man is vindicated for all that He is and has done in life and death. The angels have seen the Savior and His salvation; and they look into these matters with keen interest (1 Tim 3:16c; 1 Pet 1:12).

Jesus Christ and Him crucified is preached among the nations as the only Savior of sinners (Acts 4:12; 1 Cor 1:18, 23; 2:2, 4; 1 Tim 3:16d). This is to be inspired work of the indwelling Spirit in the preacher sent with beautiful feet (Rom 10:15; 1 Pet 1:12). It is the Bible, the Word of God, that is heard by people (Mt 11:15; 13:9, 43; Rom 10:17).

The Gospel call is for all people to repent of their sinful rebellion against God and His anointed (Ps 2; Acts 17:30). This call also encourages those who defect from Satan and his world system to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Prv 3:5–6; Acts 16:31), who was taken up in glory to be enthroned at the right hand of the Father (1 Tim 3:16e), the right hand of majesty, at the center of the throne of God (Heb 1:3; 8:1; Rev 7:17).

Christ is the magnificent focus of His church (Col 3:2; Heb 12:2). Likewise, Christ’s church, His bride, is the apple of His eye (Ps 17:8; Zech 2:8). Her deliverance from the tyranny of sin and Satan is His work. We praise and honor Him for the great things He has done (Dt 10:21; 1 Sam 12:24; Is 26:12; Ps 57:2; 71:19; 126:2–3; 138:8; Joel 2:21; Lk 1:49; 8:39).

In establishing His holy nation of royal priests, the Israel of God (Gal 6:16), Jesus loves those given to Him by the Father (Jn 17:2, 6, 24; 2 Tim 1:9). Christ loved His beloved and gave himself for her with the pure motive of agape love (Rom 5:9; Gal 2:20; Eph 5:25; 2 Thess 2:16). Now, by His Spirit sent to God’s elect, redeemed, Jesus prepares His bride for the marriage supper of the Lamb and the day when He presents her holy and blameless before the Father (Jn 14:26; 15:26; Eph 1:4; 5:23; Col 1:22; Rev 19:9).

With His Spirit leading and guiding (Jn 16:13; Rom 8:14; Gal 5:18), Christ’s church functions in a manner worthy of her calling to be beautiful, holy (Eph 4:1; 1 Pet 1:15–16), in an ugly world of sin and death. Her conduct matters (1 Tim 3:14–16); and the Spirit is committed to complete the good work He began in her (Phil 1:6).

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

February 8, 2024

1 Timothy 3:14–16