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Featured Teachers

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by th1bill, Jun 19, 2012.

  1. th1bill

    th1bill Well-Known Member
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    James 3:1-2 ESV
    Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
    Proverbs 22:6 ESV
    Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
    Titus 2:7-8 ESV
    Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
    Luke 6:40 ESV
    A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
    1 Peter 4:10 ESV
    As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
    Psalm 32:8 ESV
    I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
    Matthew 5:19 ESV
    Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
    2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
    Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
    Proverbs 1:1-33 ESV
    The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, ...
    1 Timothy 1:7-8 ESV
    Desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
    Romans 12:7 ESV
    If service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
    1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
    Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
    Ecclesiastes 12:12-13 ESV
    My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
    Matthew 20:26-28 ESV
    It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
    2 Timothy 3:16 ESV
    All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
    Nehemiah 8:8 ESV
    They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
    John 3:2 ESV
    This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
    John 3:1-36 ESV
    Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...
    Matthew 7:23 ESV
    And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
    Song of Solomon 1:1-17 ESV
    The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine; your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you. Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you. I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. ...

    When we search the scriptures we find that there is, what can, easily be, misconstrued as a conflicting message. In James we find that we are admonished not to teach and then we go to Proverbs 22 and find that we are demanded to bring up (teach) our children. Another aspect of our requirement to teach ismore found in the Great Commission (Matthew 20:18a-20) that we might baptise and make new Christians.

    Today, it is popular to shirk our re4sponsibilities and to demand that our pastors do this work. Because our pastors are Christians, it is their duty to do this but no place in scripture can I find, in the context of the entire Work of God, that we can shirk or pass off this duty and still follow the Christ.

    Now, the internet! Recently I have gotten into trouble because another member of one forum was upset with my published views on Christianity and Racism and I posited a sentence along the line of, “What I am trying to teach here...¨ The Internet is very much like a book full of quotes and is both the most wonderful tool in the world and the most dangerous tool ever created, it must be used with great caution. Every day there are children that read what is “published¨ on the web and, in this case, if we spin hatred as being Christian, there is the danger of producing more Grand Dragons and Baby Hitlers than we can ever deal with except Jesus comes soon.

    Personally, I find it admirable that some might not want others to teach but to successfully accomplish this, the Internet and every Publishing Establishment in the world and, of course, then we must go to a totally vocal rendering of the Truth.
     
  2. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    Bill, the greatest gift of all (IMO) is teaching. There are many wan-a-be teachers, but few gifted by God.

    There is not any skill that has not had to be first taught and learned. Teachers are those that inspire learning and skill attainment in students.

    Most pastors are NOT teachers. They maybe great as a pastor, but to stand in the pulpit and declare the Scriptures is NOT being a pastor; that is the gift of teacher. The wise pastor is really supposed to be as a shepherd guide. Good shepherds do not drive the sheep, but guide the sheep. The wise pastor will acquire gifted teachers to proclaim the Scriptures and teach the principles of the Word.

    Gifted teachers are intuitively aware of the students (disciples) and seek to aid the intellectual level and skill of each student as an individual. Such teachers are aware of the teachable moments, and ready to inspire, instruct, discipline, and secure the edification of each student. They know when to stand up, speak up, and shut up. They know when the student has stopped listening, and when the lesson is inappropriate for the student. Teachers reach the student not by presenting, but by presence. Teachers teach not that a certain set of facts can be rattled off with no meaning or importance, but that the student may draw conclusive decisive and analytical aspects in not merely discussion and decision, but even in discerning motives and intent in them self and others.

    Gifted teachers never stop teaching. Even in elderly or frail body, the teacher will find some outlet for the edification of others.

    Teaching is not a skill that can be acquired (though many make such attempts). Those who foolishly bluster distortion and demeaning statements such as "those who cannot do, teach" demonstrate merely their own profound ignorance and self importance. The students must acquire the skill do, but the teacher is; the teacher always will be - the teacher - rabbi - the greatest gift of all.
     
  3. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Interesting that the pastor-teached linked together in the greek bible, so can assume that many, a majority of Pastors also will have the gift to teach under the annoiting of God the Bible!
     
  4. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    Not sure how the Greek bible "links" the two together.

    Perhaps you are referring to Eph 4:11 which has the two words in the same text.

    The Greek is not stating this is one office with two areas of influence, but are actually separate gifts, two separate appointments given by God. Pastor is shepherd. Teacher is instructor.

    Can they be the same person - certainly.

    Paul stated in 1Ti 2:7 that he was both a preacher and a teacher. He did not link the two together, rather indicated that, in practical application, the pastor was an appointment, and the teacher was a differing appointment.

    All believers are generally "teachers" in the sense of giving testimony and character witness of the Christ who lives in them and their hope of salvation.

    However, one needs to only look back upon their own educational experience to see who were the gifted teachers who taught more than the lessons of intellect, but presented applications and insight impacting for the life of the student in both mind and body, in comparison to those of meager rank who could present, test, and follow a curricula but were not really gifted teachers.
     
  5. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Pastors though on the whole seem to be gifted as teachers, as they are to expond the very oracles of God!
     
  6. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    Anytime the Word is shared it works. It is not the pastor's ability or lack that causes the Word to work or not - that is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit.

    There is nothing more wonderful in the assembly than to have a Godly pastor. One who shepherds the folk and that the assembly highly regards and rewards. But shepherding is not teaching.

    The shepherd of David guided the sheep by carrying a club (rod) and staff (shepherd crook). The club was to beat off the enemy, and the crook to rescue the perishing. A true pastor has that heart of defending and rescuing.

    To have a pastor that is also a gifted teacher is rare.

    Perhaps a distinguishing characteristic may be revealed in the attention span and retention span.

    Gifted teachers communicate principles that stick for a very long time. The students eagerly gather to learn and are more often disappointed that the time together has come to an end.

    Do the folks at midweek remember what the message was on Sunday morning?

    Attention/retention.
     
  7. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    If a Pastor cannot teach he is not a biblical shepherd and has no business in the position. Pastor/teacher are linked as much as repentance/faith. One cannot be a shepherd who does not lead by instruction in the word. For a man to take the position of Pastor and not be able to teach is like a man who fathers children and never trains them up in the way they should go. They may be called the father of multitudes, but the problem is that those children never get out of diapers and the smell is contemptible. Sadly it is for the most part what we today call the church.
     
    #7 freeatlast, Jun 23, 2012
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  8. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Bill, teaching is a great responsibility with great rewards if done properly and serious consequences if done improperly. I am afraid that far too many today are involved in it when they themselves need to be taught and we are seeing the consequences of men not holding to sound doctrine.
     
    #8 freeatlast, Jun 23, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 23, 2012
  9. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    Good point. An Elder is supposed to be "Able to teach." There are varying degrees of giftedness, and various levels of development of gifts through hard work, but if an elder can't teach at all, he does not fit the biblical requirements of Elder.
     
  10. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    There is no "linking" for all believers are witnesses and therefore in a sense of the word teacher/examples of Christ.

    Shepherds - pastors are NOT teachers.

    The pastor MAY be a gifted teacher, and some are, but there are many gifted teachers who are not pastors.

    There is no Scripture to support a view of pastor/teacher being automatically joined or "linked."
     
  11. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    Paul told Tim, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2 Tim. 2).

    Then not farther Paul says, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" (2 Tim. 4)

    Then there is, "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" (1 Tim 3)

    The "apt to teach" is one word - teacher. You are correct that the "Elder" should be a teacher.

    The question then should be are all "Elders" pastors, and all pastors "Elders."

    To those who hold that they are one in the same, then of course the office of pastor must be held by one who is a teacher.

    It would then follow that evidence of the gift of teacher must proceed the anointment and appointment of pastor.

    However, if one is to hold that Pastor and Elder are not the same, then it would follow that a Pastor/bishop (shepherd) may or may not be blessed as a gifted teacher.
     
  12. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Some seem to delight in making what is simple and straightforward, complex and difficult.

    What is a Pastor? The Greek word means shepherd, one who guards the flock. So people are the sheep and some people function as "under shepherds" with the Good Shepherd being the Head of the whole Church.

    Another way to describe under-shepherds is overseer. So pastors function as Elders/Overseers of the local assemblies. One of their qualifications is being "apt" to teach.

    Therefore the premise that a person can serve in the role of Overseer - Elder and not be "apt" to teach is unbiblical.
     
  13. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    But I agree with OP premise, Jesus is our Rabbi, our teacher and our goal is not to learn what the teacher teaches, but to become like the Rabbi. And that would include being motivated by our love of others to teach and help them grow closer to God.
     
  14. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    Then, according to this view, there are a great many pastors who are obviously unqualified, for they, by the lack of biblical educational evidence in the assemblies, have no gift of teaching.
     
  15. th1bill

    th1bill Well-Known Member
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    Excellant reply and very accurate.
     
  16. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    I do not know if you were joking, but the view expressed above is absurd. Peter did not have a college education, but brought thousands into the flock through his sermons. See the whole book of Acts. Peter was not special, but he knew who was and went where he did not want to go with hands outstretched for Christ. And our church is laid in part upon his foundation by the power of God.
     
  17. th1bill

    th1bill Well-Known Member
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    Also true. That will be the reason so many ungrounded Christians run around in the world today.
     
  18. th1bill

    th1bill Well-Known Member
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    Yes, they run the spectrum from deluded to pathetic. There is so little grounding today that herecy is easily established but that is only particially the teachers fault. The lesson of Paul's teaching the Berians is lost on the lazy and there are so many lazy people today.
     
  19. th1bill

    th1bill Well-Known Member
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    On this point I must differ becuse of the points free has made and he is correct. I am part of the Pastor Search Team that has just called a man in view of a call and if he could not teach we would not have called him. He is and must e shepard/teacher.
     
  20. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    That would be good if it were true in all cases.

    Paul told Tim that it wasn't the case. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" (2 Tim. 4)

    There is no doubt that the power of the Holy Spirit rested upon the apostles, and fulfilled what Christ said, that the comforter would bring to their mind all that He had taught them.

    However, Peter nor any apostles had any power of their own volition; Acts 2 shows the source of power and authority.

    Peter didn't establish the church. The foundational form is none of his making. Peter was a servant of the Lord, who despite his human weakness was saved and placed into the service of the Lord Jesus as any other believer.
     
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