THE TEACHER HIS GLORY REIGNS B. Childress Aug 10, 2007 Whenever we study church government, we should go to the Word of God to understand how God wants His church to be established: God has given us his guidelines and principals in His Word, but He leaves the responsibility of how to apply those guidelines and principals to us. What is the origin of the word "church." The word "church" in 1 Corinthians 12:28, comes from the Greek word ekklesia. Ekklesia comes from another Greek word ekkaleo. Ekkaleo is a compound word . It is made from two word ek- and kaleo. Ek means "out" and kaleo mean "to call." Thus, what the word "church" really means is "the called out ones" or the "chosen ones" as translated in Ephesians 1:4. When Paul said we were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, the same word is used (ekkaleo). What is church? First Corinthians 12:27-28 says, "Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular." Today, the word "church" is loosely used to describe a building made of brick and mortar, which could also house a disco, school, industry, or retail store. The universal church is made up of every born-again believer on the face of the earth. Every group of believers who worships together is a segment of the "universal church." Those segments that meet together are "local churches." The church has been called out. If the church is the "called out" or "chosen" ones, there has to be someone calling or choosing. "God hath set some in the church." 1Corinthians 12:28 God is doing the calling or choosing. Ephesians 4: 11 says, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" - but who is "he." To understand. we can look at Ephesians 4:8-10, "WHEN HE ASCENDED UP ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things)." The Lord Jesus Christ is the "he" who ascended, and the He Who gave gifts to men Referring back to 1Corinthians 12:28, God the Father is the One who sets the ministry gifts in the church: these ministry gifts are chosen by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in combined authority. Jesus is the One who calls and appoints the ministry gifts. The One (Jesus) who does the calling has authority over the one He calls (whoever chooses the ministry gift has authority over the one He calls); whoever chooses the ministry gift has authority over the one who is chosen. So, who is head of the church? Ephesians 1:22-23 says, "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body the fullness of him that filleth all in all." The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church. He was given that position by God the Father. He was given authority over the church by God the Father as well all ministry gifts He chooses to distribute. "And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Ephesians 4:11- 12 THE TEACHER
Jesus was identified as a teacher in John 3:1-2, "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him, 'Rabbi we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.'" General Characteristics of a Teacher:
Acts 13:1 names five men who were either prophets or teachers, or prophets and teachers, "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyene, and Manaen..." - Barnabas was a teacher (Acts 11:22-26; 13:1) - Paul was a prophet and a teacher (Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:3) - Both Barnabas and Paul became apostles (Acts 14:14)
When the watering process, the teaching of the Word of God, is carried out by a spiritual gift (one called and endowed to teach), it leaves people refreshed and revived; just as watering a plant leaves it revived and refreshed. If teaching does not leave people refreshed, it simply is not being executed and carried out in the power of the Holy Spirit. Note, however, that divisions can be caused by unbelief and hardess of heart even when teaching is in the power of the Spirit based on the Word of God (refer back to John 6:66-68). Apollos was a teacher. In Acts 18:27, we see where his teaching gift inspired and enlightened those at Achaia, "And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace." These people had already believed through grace and were saved, but Apollo's teachings enlightened them.
Hebrews 6:1-2 lists the fundamental principals of the doctrine of Christ. These things are fundamental and cannot be compromised: 1) Repentance from dead works 2) Faith toward God 3) The doctrine of baptisms 4) Layng on of hands 5) Resurrection of the dead 6) Eternal judgement
In summary, the characteristics of a teacher today are: 1) Revelation marks a teacher's ministry. 2) One who is teachable, willing to be taught. 3) Keeps a humbleness of spirit and humbleness of mind. 4) Keeps an open mind and always ready to learn. 5) One who is not a know-it-all. The more you learn, the less you see you know. 6) Keeps within the fundamental principals of Christ. Teaches the Word without doctrinal error and without compromising the truth. A teacher may have a "roving" ministry. One who is a pastor-teacher is usually stationary even though he may go out at times to teach. Lester Sumrall recounts his work with Howard Carter - they travelled together. Lester Sumrall says that Howard Carter filled the ministerial office of teacher and he (Sumrall) filled the ministerial office of evangelist. While Howard Carter had the ability (anointing) to simplify the Word so that even a baby could understand, he also realized that he could not get even one of those who attended their meetings saved: He (Carter) was not called to be an evangelist. But Lester Sumrall would step in after Howard Carter finished teaching and bring the Gospel message of salvation - getting the people saved. Brothers Howard Carter and Lester Sumrall travelled together as a team for many years. "...Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' Amen." Matthew 28:18-20 Sources: Decently and In Order, Bob Yandian, Copyright 1983, 1987 by Whitaker House. The Ministry Gifts, Kenneth E. Hagin, Copyright 1998 by RHEMA Bible Church. The Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit, Lester Sumrall, Copyright 1982 by Lester Sumrall Evangelical Association (LeSEA). |
LIFE IN JESUS-MINISTRIES |