Authority above and also on earth

One last thing: to be God's people in this pagan world, we must submit ourselves to God, and also submit to the authority of the local church.

Yeah, I know. Authority is not a popular concept in our day, and I raised my eyebrows when I was studying about this post, too. But when I researched the words in the text, it became clearer what the Holy Spirit wanted us to learn.

 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (Titus 1:3-4)

Here in the U. S. we are a nation founded on a rebellion. It's true. We value independent, contrary spirits (although we hope they are blended with common sense) as virtues. Authority either scares us or makes us wary - we think of tyrannical governments or overbearing business or church leaders. 

But that is not what Paul is talking about here. He's going to explain that God instituted authority as the necessary structure for government, the home, and His church, too. 

First, God the Father gave His commandments (v. 3). He is the sovereign of the universe and Jesus willingly submitted to the Father's will in order to carry out the divine plan of redemption. The apostles, mentioned in a previous verse, were next in this structure. They were under the authority of Jesus, and they were allowed authority over the churches.

This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. (II Corinthians 13:10)

The church's early structure, or chain of command, if you will, included the apostles and prophets. After the foundation was laid, those two offices ceased to exist. The responsibilities didn't cease to exist, but the structure and the names of the folks who would complete the tasks did change. We will see, later in Titus, that the chain of command in a local church includes godly men who are called "elders" in verse five. 

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. (Acts 14:23)

These folks are not free to wield their authority by lording it over the church; they should not become puffed up or proud. They are to serve under the authority of God the Father, and His Word, just as the whole church is subject. We need proper parental authority in our homes to bring our children to maturity in the Lord. So, too, we need to have authority in the family of God. We need the authority of "elders" to help people grow in godliness.

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.  (I Timothy 5:17)

That structure, that chain of command, will help us be God's people in this pagan world. We will live under the authority of God, and be assisted by the authority of the local church.