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APOSTOLIC OR AMBITIOUS? Contending for the Faith Contending for the faith and refuting error is biblical (Titus 1:9, 1 Tim 1:3-4, Jude 1:3, 2 Tim 4:2-4, Phil 1:7, 16), but so is knowing the scope of your authority. In the New Testament, apostles and elders corrected errors within their relational and leadership boundaries, not the entire body indiscriminately. A leader of a local church or network of churches ought to correct the churches if they are in error or make them aware of ‘trending’ errors that can affect their faith. See 2 Tim 2:16-18. However, contending for the faith is not a freelance ministry, it is a responsibility rooted in relationship, shared leadership, and the authority of the local church. This is why Paul addressed doctrinal errors by writing to the leaders of the churches he had planted or overseen. God’s design is for discipleship, correction, and doctrinal clarity to take place within the life of vibrant, Bible-based local churches, led by qualified elders. That is where true spiritual oversight and pastoral care are meant to thrive. With many teachers and voices emerging across various platforms, how do we effectively handle correcting doctrinal errors or contending for the faith? The challenge is even greater in our time, with countless media outlets, different voices speaking to the believer and communication channels amplifying both truth and error. In such a landscape, wisdom, discernment, and biblical order are more essential than ever. Is there a biblical example where an apostle is called to correct or correct the churches globally? Short Answer: No. There’s no record of Paul or Peter or any other Apostle correcting churches they didn’t plant or oversee. Even Paul’s rebuke of Peter (Gal 2:11-14) was within shared leadership of the Gentile mission. Their correction was local, relational, and contextual. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, corrected: + The churches he planted (Corinth, Galatia, Thessalonica, etc) + The leaders he trained (Timothy, Titus) He corrected the leaders and the local churches he planted (see 2 Cor. 10:13-16). He wrote to the specific churches under his care, and never claimed to be the “doctrinal police” of the body of Christ, or ‘global papa’, or ‘global Apostle’ with a call to correct errors in the body of Christ. For anyone to claim to have such a call is arrogance and unscriptural. As a matter of truth, it is impracticable to be a doctrinal police of the body of Christ. You can only bring corrections to the people under the influence of your ministry. This is the most effective way. Paul’s letters/epistles were written to the churches under his leadership. Paul never said, “I want to correct the churches under Apostle Peter” or "say Barnabas, now listen to me” or ‘hear me the churches in Asia, Europe and Africa’. That Paul was prominent in the New Testament doesn’t mean he has global authority over all the churches. He knew his boundary. See again 2 Cor. 10:13-16. It’s important to note that the apostles addressed what we will call ‘trending issues’ or ‘viral posts’, doctrinal errors that could affect THEIR congregation or people under the influence of their ministry not as global doctrinal police or showing superiority but with meekness. (See 1 Tim. 1:2-4, 18-20; 2 Tim. 1:13-15, 3:15-19; 1 Pet. 2:1-2; 2 Pet. 2). They didn’t chase other ministers’ sermons, they corrected what could harm their flock. See Acts 20:28-31. Today, if people follow our ministry, whether online or offline, we are responsible to teach them what is true and scriptural. If Paul had social media, he may have used it, but he wrote letters, the most effective way to reach those under his apostolic care. In Titus 1:10-16, Paul wrote instructing Titus within the local church context and the churches that he (Paul) had oversight of. Paul instructs Titus to: i. Appoint elders in Crete ii. Rebuke those in the churches in Crete who are upsetting households with false teaching. iii. Teach them how to discern error and fend off Jewish fables. iv. Titus’ instruction was to teach the elders within the churches that he (Titus) oversaw. He didn’t tell Titus to rebuke every and any Church leader in Ephesus or Corinth, or Galatia. The charge was specific and contextual. So, we see that their doctrinal correction and contending for the faith was done by: i. Elder/ Pastors/bishop, within a local context, as the issues with the churches are unique (Titus 1:5-9). ii. Leaders like Paul, who are over-recognized local church leaders and communities (1 Cor. 4:15) iii. Peers in shared oversight, done in humility and love (Gal. 2:11-14) Who should not? + Individuals who have no relationship or spiritual responsibility over a church or people group. Today, bloggers, YouTubers, etc. + People who elevate themselves as the “voice of God” to the global Church without accountability. I hope this helps.