A teacher of the Scriptures should be one who can impart instructions and communicate the knowledge of Christ and His truths. Teachers are at times referred to as “doctors.”
Matthew 28:19, Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” This important branch of the commission was given by Jesus to His apostles, before His ascension into heaven.
Mark 16:15, Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” In this way were the apostles to make disciples, as the Greek word
“matheteusate,” (disciples) implies.
This promise of a new covenant was to be taught to every member of the body of Christ, and they were to be,
Isaiah 54:13, “taught of the LORD,”
These words are mouthed by Jesus in His days of public ministry.
John 6:45, Jesus said, “they shall be all taught of God every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” With this statement, Jesus afterwards explains this to mean believing on Him.
Pastors:
Literally a shepherd, figuratively a minister appointed to watch over, and instruct the body of believers. Matt.24:45, Jesus said, “who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat (food at the right time) in due season?”
The above verse includes two things, faithfulness and prudence. If a pastor/minister is faithful they will not deceive others. If prudent, he himself will not be deceived, able to discern truth, and distribute God’s word to the flock.
Their aims will be pure and spiritual in nature, and the true intentions of the Lord. In Phil.2:20-21, Paul speaks of Timothy, that he was like minded with him, as Paul was like minded with Jesus Christ.
Teachers must be both sincere and have integrity.
Nehemiah 9:8, “Foundest his heart faithful before thee.”
1 Corinthians 2:12, “we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
Pastors will be diligent in their duties,
Matthew 25:21, Jesus said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.”
They will be impartial.
1 Timothy 5:21, “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring (prejudice) one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”
Constant and having perseverance,
Revelation 2:10, Jesus said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Fidelity and honesty make a good Christian pastor, this spreading to the sheep of the flock. Their eyes must be fixed on the truth of Scripture and must retain the proven and correct way of attaining it. They must be the reapers of the work sown by others who have preceded them over the past 2000 years. They must be free of personal passions, and any fleshly influences which would have an effect on their feelings, senses, or thoughts.
Their teaching must lay a good foundation of knowledge for the flock, which is accomplished by both teaching to them that ask questions as well as giving the correct answers. Teaching Christian principles and allowing the Spirit of the Lord to direct them in the choice of subjects. A true understanding of the language, customs, and manner of the Jews in centuries past is of utmost importance.
The flock must be moved to a complete love for Jesus Christ, charity of heart, teaching of the gospel to strangers, to pray continually, and to seek God’s blessings upon their studies and work.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that give the increase.”
Ministers of the Gospel.
This ordinance appointed for the purpose of instructing men in the principles and knowledge of the gospel. Eph. 4:8-11, “Wherefore he saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men … He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”
Rom.10:15, “How shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Hebrews 5:4, “No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”
To teach and minister the gospel is of Divine origin, and it is intended to be kept up in the body of Christ, with the promise there would be a regular ministry in the church until the return of our Lord.
Titus 1:5, “set in order the things that are wanting (lacking,) and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.”
1 Peter 5:1, “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.”
From the duties which are represented as binding on ministers and people:
Hebrews 13:7-17, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation (conduct.)” ver.17, “they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief:”
The importance of a gospel ministry, which is represented in the Bible as a great blessing to those who are called of God, and take great joy in it.
Matthew 28:20, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
On the other side of the coin we can read in Revelation 2:5, 9-10, 16, 20-23-and Revelation 3:3-9-15-16 of the removal of this calling from those who have fallen, this being one of the great calamities which can come upon a man.
False Teachers.
1 Timothy 1:6-7, From faith, charity, a pure heart, and a good conscience, “some having swerved (strayed) have turned aside unto vain (idle talk) jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm,” putting unnecessary burdens upon the people of the flock.
1 Timothy 4:1-2, “The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” Claiming to have special gifts from God. In them come controversy, and division in the body. This is not of God.
1 Timothy 6:3-5, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent (agree) not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising. Perverse (useless wrangling) disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain (a means of gain) is godliness: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF.”
Philippians 3:18, “They are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.”
1 John 4:1, “Believe not every spirit (false teachers,) but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Test their words against the written word of Scripture.
1 John 4:3, “Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of an-tichrist.” This includes His birth, physical resurrection, and His second coming.
Matthew 24:5, Jesus said, “For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” These will not say they are Jesus, but they are the Christ. The King, the High Priest, and the Prophet of the Christian church, the Messiah.
John 5:43, Jesus said, “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” Millions have followed these false teachers.
Phillip Laspino www.seekfirstwisdom.com