The pastors, who were also given by God during these early years, were chosen and elected by apostles and/or evangelists for the purpose of teaching. The information for their selection was given to Timothy and Titus and the responsibility for their appointment was laid on them. There is no support in the Scriptures for some selection process by the members of a church organization. Again, that organization was non-existent and the actions taken were not an election process of church membership.
The implication from Titus 1:5 is that men were selected who would carry on the work of teaching, guarding, and the defending of souls. Look at the following references that describe their task:
Titus 1:9-11
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.”
Pay special attention to the number of times we find “houses” in the Scriptures. Applying that today, we might think that these false teachers were so audacious as to come into people’s homes to teach their error. Friends, the home was the context of their gatherings so that it would be natural to “subvert whole houses” (cf. 2 Tim. 3:6, 1 Tim. 5:13, 2 Tim. 1:16, Philemon 1:2, 2 John 1:10).
Their responsibility is to:
1. “exhort” and “convince.” 2. 1 Timothy 5:17 has them “laboring in word and teaching.”
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 explain that they “admonish you.” This is akin to the word, “warn.” Family members don’t get upset when reminded of the pitfalls. Rather than spewing out in defense, “I see it. Do you think I’m blind?” (cf. John 9:40), they expect it and appreciate it.
4. Hebrews 13:7 refers to them as speaking the word of God to Christians
5. Hebrews 13:17 reveals that they “watch for your souls.”
6. 1 Peter 5:2-3 reads,
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.“