I have heard some people argue that we don’t need preachers, teachers, or congregations,
but what does the Bible say about this?
It's time to UNLEARN the lies.
UNLEARN
Hey, welcome to UNLEARN.
My name is Lex, and I'd like to invite you to join us each week as we UNLEARN the lies
and dig deeper into the truth of God's Word.
Now, let's get started.
I have heard some people argue that we don’t need teachers because we have the Holy Spirit
to teach us.
On top of that, I recently heard someone say that we should’t even have churches or congregations,
and that we should just read the scriptures and not allow anyone to teach or even have
discussions about it.
So, I think we need to look at what the Bible says to find out the truth.
Lets begin with the final words that Yeshua gave to His disciples, also known as the Great
Commission.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven
and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, TEACHING them to observe all things that I
have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Amen.”
- Matthew 28:18-20
Yeshua commanded the disciples to go and teach others, and we see the apostles doing this
throughout the book of Acts.
In fact, the first thing Peter did after receiving the Holy Spirit was to go out and preach the
gospel to those in Jerusalem.
The book of Acts also tells us that those in the church continued in the apostles doctrine
or teaching.
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of
bread, and in prayers.”
- Acts 2:42
We also see that Paul was teaching and preaching the Word of God everywhere he went.
“Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, TEACHING and PREACHING the word of the Lord,
with many others also.”
- Acts 15:35
In fact, Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth teaching.
“And he continued there a year and six months, TEACHING the word of God among them.”
- Acts 18:11
Paul referred to himself as an apostle, preacher, and teacher.
“for which I was appointed a PREACHER and an APOSTLE… a TEACHER of the Gentiles in
faith and truth.”
- 1 Timothy 2:7
“to which I was appointed a PREACHER, an APOSTLE, and a TEACHER of the Gentiles.”
- 2 Timothy 1:11
“For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in
the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH everywhere in every church.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:17
Paul also spoke about the importance of speaking words that are easy to understand in order
to teach others.
“yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may
TEACH others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”
- 1 Corinthians 14:19
This confirms two things.
First, that there are churches, congregations, or assemblies, and second that in the congregation
there should be teaching taking place.
Paul also urged others to teach good doctrine and to stay away from foolish disputes.
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia - remain in Ephesus that you may charge some
that they TEACH no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which
cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.”
- 1 Timothy 1:3-4
“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful
men who will be able to TEACH others also.”
- 1 Timothy 2:2
The Bible also tells us that women should not be teachers of men.
“And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in
silence.”
- 1 Timothy 2:12
However, this does not forbid women from teaching other women or children, in fact, he says
that women should teach other women.
“the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not
given to much wine, TEACHERS of good things - that they admonish the young women to love
their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient
to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”
- Titus 2:3-5
This should be an encouragement to women that you have a responsibility in the church to
teach the younger women how to be godly wives.
The Bible also talks about elders, deacons, bishops, and those who have oversight in the
Church.
“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop (overseer), he desires
a good work.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good
behavior, hospitable, able to TEACH” - 1 Timothy 3:1-2
The word translated “bishop” here is the Greek word “episkopé”, which means “oversight,
supervision, or judgment”.
This indicates someone who has been given a position of authority over others.
It says that these men must be “able to teach”, which indicates that they will be
teaching the congregation they oversee.
Notice that it also refers to this type of oversight as a position in the church.
“If a man desires the position of bishop, he desires a good work.”
This is definitely speaking about someone having a position of authority over others,
and the Bible says it is a “good work”.
This is not looked down upon, it is a good thing.
Not only are there elders and deacons who teach, but the Bible also says the elders
who teach are worthy of their wages.
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who
labor in the word and doctrine.
For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and,
"The laborer is worthy of his wages."
- 1 Timothy 5:17-18
The “elders who rule well” indicates that there is order and the elders have some sort
of authority in the church, and those who teach are worthy of “double honor” and
it goes on to explain that this has to do with giving them the wages they deserve.
Paul also makes a similar argument that those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel.
“Who ever goes to war at his own expense?
Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit?
Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?…
For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out
the grain."
Is it oxen God is concerned about?
Or does He say it altogether for our sakes?
For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and
he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.
If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material
things?…
Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple,
and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?
Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the
gospel.”
- 1 Corinthians 9:7-11, 13-14
If a worker is worthy of his wages, are not those who labor in the Word of God worthy
to receive payment for their labor?
We willingly pay for things that we see value in.
For example, we are willing to pay a restaurant for the food they cook, and we are willing
to tip the waitress for serving us.
We are willing to pay the gas station for the fuel we put in our car.
We are willing to pay the electric company so that we can have electricity in our homes.
Why is it different when someone devotes their life to teaching the Word of God?
Why is it different for someone who sacrifices their life to care for the flock?
They are worthy of double honor because they are fighting for your souls.
I bring this up because there are many people who seem to think that those who teach the
Word of God should do so at their own expense, contrary to what the Bible teaches.
The Bible also talks about those who teach and correct others without causing strife
or quarrels.
“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to TEACH, patient,
in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance,
so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the
snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”
- 2 Timothy 2:23-26
Not only do elders teach and correct against false doctrine, but they are also there to
pray for the needs of the people.
“Is anyone among you sick?
Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him
with oil in the name of the Lord.”
- James 5:14
The Bible tells us to appoint elders.
These men are selected to lead, teach, and shepherd the people of God.
“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are
lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you”
- Titus 1:5
The Bible also refers to teachers being appointed by God, and identifies them as a spiritual
gift to the church.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,
after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Are all apostles?
Are all prophets?
Are all teachers?
Are all workers of miracles?
Do all have gifts of healings?
Do all speak with tongues?
Do all interpret?
But earnestly desire the best gifts…”
- 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Notice that not all are teachers, but teachers are appointed by God.
This is also similar to what is said in Ephesians about what has become known as the five-fold
ministry.
“And He Himself gave some to be APOSTLES, some PROPHETS, some EVANGELISTS, and some
PASTORS and TEACHERS, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness
of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him
who is the head--Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every
joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share,
causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
- Ephesians 4:11-16
These verses not only identify leadership roles in the church, but they also tell us
why we need them.
These men are appointed by God to equip the saints, edify the Church, and keep the people
away from false doctrine.
We also see that these roles are needed until all have unity in faith and become a perfect
man.
Obviously we have not attained unity or perfection yet, so there is still a need for apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
We also see a similar section in Romans about how there are different parts of the body,
and how we should use our gifts as we function in the body, and it specifically mentions
those who teach.
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in
our ministering; he who TEACHES, in TEACHING; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives,
with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
- Romans 12:4-8
We see over and over in the Bible that not only are teachers a valid part of the body
of Messiah, but they are considered to have special gifts and calling in the body.
However, we are also given a warning that not many should become teachers because of
the stricter judgment they will face.
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a
stricter judgment.”
- James 3:1
Some people want to become teachers so they can make a name for themselves, but that is
the wrong motivation.
A true teacher simply wants to help others have understanding.
They don’t seek glory for themselves, they realize that they are simply a servant of
the Master, Yeshua.
True teachers have a heart for the people of God, and their desire is to lead people
to God.
In fact, Peter spoke about these things in his exhortation to those who lead the congregation.
“The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the
sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd
the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,
not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but
being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the
crown of glory that does not fade away.
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.
Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists
the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
- 1 Peter 5:1-5
Peter indicates that the responsibility of the elder is to be a shepherd to the flock
of God.
To oversee the congregation with humility and to be an example to others.
He also instructs those in the congregation to submit to the elders.
If there are no shepherds, the sheep will wander.
If there are no teachers the people will do what is wright in their own eyes.
If there are no leaders the people will be in anarchy.
Those who say we don’t need teachers or leaders in the Church are being rebellious
just like Korah.
Listen to what Korah and those who joined his rebellion said to Moses and Aaron.
“They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You take too much
upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is
among them.
Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?"
- Numbers 16:3
Those who don’t come under God’s appointed leadership are walking in rebellion against
God.
We know that Moses and Aaron did not exalt themselves above the assembly, they were chosen
by God to lead the people.
Likewise, God has also selected apostles, teachers, leaders, shepherds, and evangelists
to lead His people.
“And He Himself gave some to be APOSTLES, some PROPHETS, some EVANGELISTS, and some
PASTORS and TEACHERS” - Ephesians 4:11
Those of us who have been called by God to teach and preach are not exalting ourselves,
we are following the commandment given to us by God.
“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me;
yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”
- 1 Corinthians 9:16
I hope this teaching helps to correct the error of rebellion that is becoming more and
more popular.
Those who say we don’t need congregations or leaders or teachers are walking in the
same rebellion as Korah.
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