Engage God’s Word

This article is the first in our series on the Purpose of the Church from our study in Titus 1:9.

In Titus 1:9, Paul writes, “holding fast the faithful word.” This is the first necessary component of a Biblical church. Paul tells Timothy that the elders of God’s church must hold fast to the truth. Hold fast is antecho in the Greek language of the New Testament. The word can mean “to have a strong attachment to something, to cling to, hold fast, or be devoted to.” This must remain and grow ever stronger as the commitment of Grace Chapel. We must never let the truth go. We must engage God’s word.

The Leaders of the Church

This call to engage the truth is a timeless requirement. Every successful leader of God’s people possessed a singular devotion to His word. In fact, almost 500 years before Titus we see this same commitment in Ezra. Ezra “set his heart to study the Law (Ezra [7:10]).” The word for “study” in Hebrew has a strong connection to “hold fast” in the Greek. The word can mean “to seek with care, investigate, examine, search, and question.” Simply, Ezra directed all his focus to knowing the law of God. 

This is his focus not because he’s “got a lot of time on his hands,” or because he is a “nerd” or a “Bible guy,” but because the “good hand of the Lord was upon him (Ezra 7:9).” Therefore, God’s Presence in your life equals a commitment to God’s Word. Some may claim God’s presence without a knowledge of His word, but that is unbiblical and unreal.

God’s presence only comes through a deep study, growing knowledge, and thorough application of His word in your life. A church will rise or fall on how its leadership engages the truth, but the commitment is not just for the elders of the church. 

The Deacons of the Church

Deacons might cut the grass, or work on a computer, or make eggs. But, the servant’s heart pulses with an unshakable conviction for the truth. Simply, they know and are devoted to God’s word. 

We read of this commitment in the Pastoral Epistles. In 1 Timothy 3:9, Paul writes deacons must be “holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” This is a qualification for every deacon. They must continue to hold fast to the faith. They must grasp God’s word.

This is a non-negotiable. The faith, the teaching, the doctrine must be understood by the deacons of the church. But, the call to engage God’s word is not just for elders and deacons, but every person in the church. 

Every Man, Woman, and Child of the Church

The commitment to engage God’s word is not exclusive to leadership. In Hebrews [10:23], Paul writes, “Let us hold fast the confession.” The “us” is everyone—all of us. Every Christian man, woman, and child are called to hold fast to the truth. In this verse, the word for hold fast is katecho, a synonym of antecho. Katecho can mean “to adhere firmly to a belief or keep the confidence firm.” Every member must be in the business of holding fast to the truth.

Finally, no one should underestimate the importance of their role and position. God has placed each of us in His church; Everyone is called to grasp His word.  

May we all hold fast God's Word together,