Our model for Teacher in modern American Christianity is more like that of a college professor teaching Bible classes of OT Survey, Theology I,II,II, Homiletics, Greek or Hebrew. This model is not just foreign to the New Testament but caters to the intellect not the Spirit. It was this appeal to the intellect that Christ railed against when speaking to the Scribes.
Personally, I have attended Bible Institutes, Bible College, and Seminary. I have taught in both Bible Schools and Seminary. After Pastoring for 30 years I found little use for my formal education. I now refer to myself as a “recovering Seminary student”. A good 12 step program for the educated elite wouldn’t hurt.
The Apostle Paul was of the educated elite, and he considered his advantaged life and education as “dung” (Greek for “crap”). As an Apostle, he also identified himself as a Teacher (2 Timothy 4:3), but what did he teach? Christ himself was a teacher, what did he teach? Both our Savior and the Apostle Paul taught prophetic truth, Divine revelation and apostolic doctrine. Both taught what they heard in their Spirit, and Paul was considered a mad man because of his teaching (Acts 26:24).
Information is important, and right information can make one wealthy. My issue here is not with educators, my concern is when we dilute the Holy Spirit anointing of Teacher with the teaching of facts and information. Hebrews 6: 1-2 talks about the elementary teachings, but also exhorts us to move on to “maturity”.
Generally speaking, the office of the NT teacher is joined to the Apostle, the Prophet, the Evangelist, or the Pastor; the grammar of the NT Greek lends itself to this. There are exceptions, but it is rare to find the office of the teacher standing alone.
Note well, there is no stricter judgment associated with any 5 fold ministry gift than with the ministry of the Teacher.
Is there a man of the Spirit to hear and speak to the church?
