Shepherds and Teachers

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Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV
11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

We, as the body of Christ, are intended that we will be building each other up in love, everyone participating.

For that purpose, Jesus has given us some who are "shepherds and teachers".

How do we know who they are?

Is it by their doctrine? That we have no disagreement, therefore they must be appointed to shepherd and teach? But what if you are mistaken, and should be heeding their correction?

Is it by their character? Jesus said of the false prophets, by their fruit you will know them. The fruit of the Spirit is a good character. Is the fruit of a false prophet, or a false teacher, a poor character?

Paul wrote to the Corinthians that they themselves were the letter written to all attesting to Paul's apostleship. Is it by the results seen in the hearers?

Do we look for ordination, like when the elders laid hands on Timothy giving him his ministry through prophecy?

Is there another way?

What are your thoughts?

Much love!

 

[marks]

1 Corinthians 12:28-29 KJV
28) And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29) Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?


Romans 12:4-9 KJV
4) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7) Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9) Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Much love!

 

[ChristisGod]

Great topic of discussion and Paul in Titus and Timothy gives us that criteria as does Peter in his epistle . The 3 main areas are character ( reputation ) , holds to sound doctrine and one who is not new ( young ) in the faith as in elders .


STRONGS NT 1320: διδάσκαλος

διδάσκαλος, διδασκαλου, ὁ (διδάσκω), a teacher; in the N. T. one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man:

1. of one who is fitted to teach, or thinks himself so: Hebrews 5:12; Romans 2:20.

2. of the teachers of the Jewish religion: Luke 2:46; John 3:10; hence, the Hebrew רַב is rendered in Greek διδάσκαλος: John 1:38 (); ; cf. below, under ῤαββί, and Pressel in Herzog xii., p. 471f; (Campbell, Dissert. on the Gospels, diss. vii. part 2).

3. of those who by their great power as teachers drew crowds about them;

a. of John the Baptist: Luke 3:12.

b. of Jesus: John 1:38 (); ; often in the first three Gospels.

4. by preeminence used of Jesus by himself, as the one who showed men the way of salvation: Matthew 23:8 L T TrWH.

5. of the apostles: ὁ διδάσκαλος τῶνἐθνῶν, of Paul, 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11.

6. of those who in the religious assemblies of Christians undertake the work of teaching, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; Acts 13:1, cf. James 3:1.