Do We Need Teachers?

 

 

“Understandest thou what thou readest?
. . . How can I, except some man should guide me?”

Acts 8:30-31

But Ain’t I a Priest?

  1. But I’m a king and a priest (Rev 1:6). But that does not make you either wise or a teacher.
  2. But I’ve got an unction (I Jn 2:20,27). But why did John write then to instruct them in truth?
  3. But I have the internet. Indeed! You’re ever learning and never able to find truth (II Tim 3:7).
  4. A little knowledge is dangerous. Why do you have a saw? I read an article on heart surgery.
  5. But sharing is so much fun. Of course! Thirty people sharing will produce forty wrong ideas.
  6. But Plymouth Brethren, Quakers, and the House Church movement have such sweet peace.

But Ain’t the Bible Easy to Understand?

  1. There are 2 billion “Christians” today and 95% err three times on the simplest Bible subject – baptism. They teach (1) it saves from sin, (2) it is for babies, and (3) it means sprinkling.
  2. Peter thought Paul difficult, and he mentions the unlearned bringing destruction (II Pet 3:16).
  3. Parables are not “earthly stories with heavenly meanings for simple people” (Matt 13:10-17).
  4. Jewish doctors knew the Bible from memory but were grossly wrong (Matt 12:3,5,7; 22:29).

What Is God’s Pattern?

  1. Under the Old Testament, God’s knowledge was to be sought from the priests (Malachi 2:7).
  2. Consider the teaching service in Nehemiah 8:5-8. This is how we learn. Name the teachers.
  3. God’s pattern includes strictly defending his chosen teachers (Numbers 12:1-16; 16:1-50).
  4. Paul judged the Athenians ignorant and superstitious and declared the truth (Acts 17:22-24).
  5. Apollos was greatly gifted and taught in the Lord’s way, but he needed more (Acts 18:24-28).
  6. The New Testament pattern is ministerial succession by ordination of teachers (II Tim 2:2).

Did God Give Gifts?

  1. When Jesus ascended up on high, He gave teaching gifts to men (Ps 68:11,18; Eph 4:8-14).
  2. What are the best gifts (I Cor 12:28-31)? Teaching! Are all teachers (I Cor 12:28-31)? No!
  3. Paul was entrusted with the gospel like no other (I Thess 2:4,13; Eph 3:1-7; II Cor 5:20).

Does God Divide Labor?

  1. The Scriptures are primarily for the man of God – the ordained teacher (II Tim 2:15; 3:16-17).
  2. The man of God, a bishop like Timothy, was dedicated to teaching (I Tim 4:13-15; II Ti 2:4).
  3. Those taught the word ought to take care of the teacher to keep him studying (Galatians 6:6).
  4. Women are to be silent (I Cor 14:34-35; I Tim 2:11-12) and teach limited things (Tit 2:3-5).

What Are They Like?

  1. They preach with authority very differently than the religious establishment (Matt 7:28-29).
  2. They are to preach the Word insistently ignoring public opinion (II Timothy 4:1-5; Tit 2:15).
  3. They are bold, dogmatic, and critical of errors (Job 32:6-14,21-22; Gal 1:8-9; Rom 16:17-18).

What Shall We Do?

  1. Be thankful for beautiful feet (Romans 10:15), and celebrate learning the truth (Neh 8:10-12).
  2. Seek out appointed teachers and esteem them highly for their work’s sake (I Thess 5:12-13).
  3. Receive their teaching with a ready mind and check it by the Bible (Acts 17:11; I Thess 5:21).
  4. Pray (Eph 6:19; II Thes 3:1-2; Col 4:3-4); pay (II Chr 31:4; I Cor 9:14); obey (Heb 13:7,17).