Question

"Does Titus 1:5 give the evangelist the exclusive authority to appoint elders?"

Answer

Titus 1:5 states, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.” In Acts 14:23 we read concerning Paul and Barnabas, “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (Acts 14:23). Again, in Acts 20:28 Paul commanded the elders of the church in Ephesus, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Choosing those to serve as officers in the local church is not the same as setting them into the office. All the members of the church in Jerusalem participated in choosing seven men to serve tables (Acts 6:3, cf. New American Standard Bible, “select, ” English Standard Version, “pick out”), but the apostles (verses 1-3) appointed them. This is the only verse that reveals how officers in the local church are selected. Thus, all officers in the local church are chosen by the church itself, but the method of selection is not specified. The congregation should act with proper decorum and order (1 Corinthians 14:40), and all political machinations should be avoided (2 Corinthians 12:20). If a man’s selection threatens the unity of the congregation or if he is found to be unqualified, his name should be withdrawn from consideration (Ephesians 4:3; 1 Timothy 3:2).

It is interesting that Titus is never called either an evangelist or preacher, but since he clearly did the work of an evangelist (cf. Titus 2:1; 2 Timothy 4:1-5), the Scriptures necessarily imply he was one. Paul calls himself a preacher (2 Timothy 1:11), and Barnabas preached (Acts 11:22-26; 13:2-5; 15:36). Thus, the apostolic command (Titus 1:5) and example (Acts 14:23) are consistent. An evangelist (preacher) actually appointed elders to that office in the local church.

How should this be done? When the apostles appointed seven men to serve tables, they prayed and laid their hands on them as a sign of approval (Acts 6:6). When the church in Antioch sent Barnabas and Saul out to preach to the Gentiles, they fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them (Acts 13:3). Neither of these instances are the ordination of elders, but they indicate how the first century church conducted similar appointments to a work. Prayer is always appropriate (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Fasting, though not binding, indicates the seriousness of the occasion. The evangelist should do something to indicate his approval of the men chosen. All should be done with proper decorum and order (1 Corinthians 14:40).

When men meet the qualifications for the eldership stated by the apostle Paul (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9), are chosen by the congregation to serve, and appointed to the office by an evangelist, the Holy Spirit makes them elders (Acts 20:28).