Conviction

Titus 1:9
"holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict."

We talked a lot about the word "convict" and went to Jn 16:8 and Acts 2:36-37 to look at more places where the Holy Spirit has the ministry of convicting us of sin. Because of the Holy Spirit, people will feel sorry for their sin and desire forgiveness and want to escape hell. In Acts, the people were suddenly convicted while listening to Peter's sermon.

So what does "convict" mean? It means that the elders will be able to show people where they are doing wrong, and be able to explain it to them. Getting people to change requires the ability to teach and point out what the Bible says which is contrary to how one may be presently living. The conviction actually must come from the Holy Spirit.

It is important that the elders do this using "sound doctrine". "Sound" means firm, right, strong, whole, uncracked. They must know doctrine, and know what the Bible teaches. We should use sound doctrine to witness to people, and remember that we are not doing the convicting, but the Holy Spirit is doing it.

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Can't wait to see Cyrano!!!!!!!!!