Roles Of The Pastor-Teacher And Local Church
(1 Cor. 4:1)
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PRAYER PREPARATION:
Jesus Himself tells us in John 8:31-32:
31 "... If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. " NAS
In John 15:7, He also tells us:
7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. NAS
Let’s take a moment to quietly confess our sins to God, so that we are in fellowship with Him and led by the Holy Spirit when we study God’s word. 1 John 1:9 promises us, that if we name our known sins to God, He always forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness, even from the unknown sins we forgot or didn’t even realize we committed. Let’s pray.
Thank you, Father, for always restoring your children when we admit our sins to you. May your Holy Spirit teach us your word as we study it now. We ask these things in Jesus Name. Amen
INTRODUCTION
God gave the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher to certain individuals to teach God’s word, the Bible, to Church Age believers who are part of the body of Christ. Some Christians think that they don’t need to learn from a pastor-teacher, but rather can teach themselves the Bible just by reading it on their own.
This is only possible to a very limited extent. While there are some things in the Scriptures that you can learn in this manner, there are so many more things that you can not. This is true for many reasons:
· The Bible was originally written in OTHER LANGUAGES, in languages that are more precise than the English translations we currently use. The Old Testament was written primarily in Hebrew, and the New Testament in Koine (common) Greek, with Chaldean, Aramaic, and other forms of Greek included in parts.
· Many phrases in the Bible are IDIOMS, that is, words or expressions that historically have social or cultural meanings that are not obvious to us today. For example, when we say today that something is really "hot," it has a meaning in our society that is different than the actual definition of the word.
· Many events, customs, and rituals in the Bible are not fully understandable to us unless their HISTORICAL aspects are explained by someone who has studied and understand them.
Later in this study, I’ll cite a couple of examples of Bible verses that show the importance of a pastor-teacher to properly interpret such passages. One example is an Old Testament passage that is obviously impossible to understand just by reading it. The other example is a New Testament verse that appears obvious in its meaning, but teaches so much more when studied and correctly taught.
KNOWING GOD’S WORD:
Let’s examine what the Bible says about the importance of knowing God’s word:
John 8:31-32
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
The word IF is a third class condition in the Greek. This means, "Maybe you will, maybe you won’t." It’s a choice you have to make.
The word YOU means that the above passage is addressed to believers (John 8:31 - "To the Jews who had believed him...").
The word HOLD means "to abide, to dwell continually in." It has the meaning of living constantly in something, making it your home.
The phrase MY TEACHING refers to Bible teaching, the word of God. The Bible is the "mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16).
The word DISCIPLE in the original Koine Greek means student (not "follower"). You are not a disciple of Christ just because you are saved. You are His disciple only if you are His STUDENT, if you study His word.
Jesus promises that a true disciple will KNOW THE TRUTH. The truly Christ-centered life is based on what you know, not how you feel or what you do. To "know the truth", to take in God’s word, is the key according to Jesus’ own words.
The phrase THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE tells us the results of being a true disciple or student of Jesus Christ. Freedom from the stresses and the details of life. Freedom to know and love God, to rest on His promises, to experience God’s happiness, the "peace that passeth all understanding".
Let’s look at another New Testament passage:
Rom 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NIV)
The phrase TO TEACH US means that the Bible was written "for our instruction". It is God’s will that we understand and learn what is in the Scriptures. The word used for "teach" in the Koine Greek is didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee’-ah), which means "instruction, doctrine, learning, or teaching".
The word ENDURANCE in the Greek means cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy, that is, patient waiting.
The word ENCOURAGEMENT means comfort or consolation. The same word is used in the Greek to describe the Holy Spirit, as the Paraclete.
The word SCRIPTURES obviously refers to all of the Bible.
The phrase WE MIGHT HAVE HOPE tells us that the word of God is the source of all of our hope, our comfort, our strength and encouragement. However, the word MIGHT tells us that we have a choice to make. Only if we freely choose to study the Bible will the HOPE in this verse result.
BIBLICAL EXAMPLE - OLD TESTAMENT
Now let’s take a look at that Old Testament example that I promised, and see how the full understanding of this passage from a pastor-teacher can give us hope for our own lives.
Gen. 15:5-12, 17-18
5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars-- if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
7 He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."
8 But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?"
9 So the LORD said to him, "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon."
10 Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half.
11 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.
12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.
17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.
18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates-
What in the world is happening in these verses? God makes promises to Abraham, Abraham questions God about them, God has Abraham gather and cut up animals into pieces, then Abraham is put to sleep while a furnace moves through the middle of the bloody scene. How can we make sense out of this? The key is to look at the verses in light of what we know about Chaldean history and customs.
The Abrahamic Covenant is God’s promise to ABRAHAM that he as a JEW would have descendants too great to number, and a land that they would permanently possess.
However, ABRAM was born and raised a CHALDEAN. According to Chaldean custom, a covenant was affirmed and validated by the death of one or more animals, depending upon the importance of the covenant. Two men making a bilateral covenant would walk together between the separated parts of the animal(s), both saying in effect, "May this happen to me if I do not fulfill my part of the covenant."
When Abram asked God in Genesis 15:8, "whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?," God graciously began in Genesis 15:9 to make a Chaldean covenant with Abram. God had Abram gather and divide a number of animals. Knowing what was taking place, Abram must have expected to walk through the animals with God. Had that happened, it would have been a bilateral covenant, requiring both parties to perform responsibilities under the agreement. But God put Abram to sleep, and in the form of a smoking oven and torch, passed through the animal pieces alone. God in His grace thereby made the covenant unilateral, depending upon God alone. The covenant promises to Abram would not depend on anything Abram did or didn’t do.
God’s plans and promises can only be perfect when they depend only on HIS perfection. This is GRACE! God’s dealings with mankind always depend upon His grace, that is, on who and what He is, not on who or what we are.
BIBLICAL EXAMPLE - NEW TESTAMENT
Let’s look at a New Testament example of a Scripture that has a lot more meaning than is initially apparent, and when fully understood, can also give us great encouragement.
Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-- you and your household." (NIV)
This verse looks much simpler to understand than the prior verses in Genesis. There really doesn’t appear to be that much here, and it’s very plainly stated. So there is probably no need to spend much time studying this verse. Or is there?
The word BELIEVE is the word pisteuo (pist-yoo’-o) in the Greek. It means "to have faith in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing". In the context of this verse, the word means "to entrust one’s spiritual well-being" to Jesus Christ.
The word SAVED means to be "preserved, protected, delivered, made whole". It is the Greek word sozo (sode’-zo) and refers to a person’s eternal salvation.
In the Koine Greek of the original manuscripts, the tense of the verb "pisteuo" means to believe at a single point or moment of time. The tense of the verb "sozo" means to be continually saved, an ongoing process outside of time without end.
So an expanded translation of this verse in the original Greek is, "Believe at one single point of time in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will continually be saved for all time, as well as your household if they also believe."
In other words, when we look at this verse in the original language and not just in the English, we find that it definitely teaches three important Bible doctrines.
· The first doctrine is that a person gets saved by FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE, and that there is nothing else required for salvation other than believing in Jesus Christ.
· The second doctrine is that SALVATION IS NOT AN ONGOING PROCESS, but that it occurs at a single moment when a person believes in Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth is an ongoing process, not salvation.
· The third doctrine is ETERNAL SECURITY, that once saved, a person is saved forever.
THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF PASTOR-TEACHER
What do the Genesis 15 and Acts 16 passages both have in common? What they both share in common is that neither example could be properly understood by the average believer just by reading the passages. You could read these verses to yourself a hundred times, and on your own could never come to realize what they are fully teaching.
With the Genesis verses, you would be left confused. What was going on with all of those slaughtered animal pieces? Why was the furnace moving through the center? Why was Abraham put to sleep? What did this strange and bloody scene have to do with God’s promises to Abraham?
With the verse in Acts, you might have just the opposite reaction. Without knowing what the verse means in the original language, you would read right through the verse, concluding that it was simple and that you understood and learned everything that was there. However, without the help of a pastor-teacher, you could never use this verse to understand that salvation occurs the moment you believe in Christ, not that salvation is eternally secure once it takes place. The reason is that today’s English translation is far less precise than the original Koine Greek language in which the passage was written.
To properly and fully learn the truths in these verses, you need someone with the gift of pastor-teacher to help you. A pastor-teacher exercises his spiritual gift by studying the word of God and then teaching it to other believers.
This does not mean that in some way, the pastor-teacher is better than, or above, other believers. He certainly is not. It is also not true that those using their gifts as missionaries or evangelists are somehow better than other believers.
We are all, according to the Bible, ministers with different spiritual gifts. The Bible tells us that every believer is a priest in full-time Christian service for God, not just those Christians who get financial support while exercising their gifts. There is no such thing Biblically as "lay people".
At the moment of salvation, the Bible teaches that every believer receives at least one spiritual gift. It is the responsibility of all Christians as believer-priests in full-time Christian service to determine what spiritual gift(s) we have been given by God, and to exercise our gifts in His service. No gift makes one Christian "better" than another believer.
It is the ROLE OF THE PASTOR-TEACHER in a local church to study and to teach the word of God:
· Isagogically - the history and customs of the people and events in the bible need to be understood. The Bible needs to be interpreted in view of the times in which it was written.
· Categorically - this is the grouping of Scripture verses relating to the same subject matter, that is, teaching everything the Bible has to say about certain topics, doctrines such as salvation, spirituality, grace, etc.
· Exegetically - this is teaching the Bible word by word, verse by verse, relating each word and phrase back to the original languages, dealing with the original meanings, tenses, voices, normal usages, and idioms.
It is the RESPONSIBILITY OF BELIEVERS in the local Church who want to learn the word of God to:
· Be present when Bible doctrine is being taught.
· Be filled with the Holy Spirit by using 1 John 1:9.
· Concentrate on the message being taught by a pastor-teacher, and not on the man himself. Take notes, look over them later as part of further study.
· Be teachable with genuine humility. A proud person who thinks he knows more than the teacher is not likely to learn anything from that teacher.
· Be objective. Don’t dismiss the message just because you have some emotional reaction against it. Is this what the Bible actually says? Is it in accordance with other doctrines that you know to be true, especially grace and salvation? As an overall principle that you can always apply, "All doctrine should orient to grace," that is, it should be based on who and what God is and what He does, not on who and what you are and what you do. Relate the message to the other doctrines that you have been taught in the past.
· Apply the message to those circumstances in your life where you can utilize it as part of faith rest.
Christian growth is often like trying to put together a puzzle without ever having seen the picture on the box. With a puzzle, we normally study the overall picture, and then start with putting together the corners and the outside framework.
In the same way, learning fundamental basic doctrines like the essence of God, grace, salvation and spirituality should give believers an overall idea of what the Christian life should look like, and a basic framework into which pieces of more advanced doctrines can be placed (or rejected if they are not part of the picture).
The momentum of our lives as believers is to be the written word of God. But where do we go to learn Bible doctrine, to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ? This is a critical decision. As we walk down "church lane", there are so many choices along the main road and down the various side streets:
· Denominations (often divided within themselves into several groups)
· Independent ("Bible" churches)
· Charismatic (Pentecostal, "Holy-Rollers")
· Cults (Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.)
· Television / Radio Ministries
We need to decide where to go to learn the word of God. No one man or one group has a monopoly on the truth. It depends ultimately upon the man who studies and teaches God’s word, the Bible. It is important for us to find such a man.
When we make a decision to devote ourselves to learning God’s word under a pastor-teacher who studies and teaches it properly, we will get a lot of criticism. Criticism may come from family, friends, or other Christians who feel worried, intimidated, or are genuinely concerned. Criticism may also come from Christians who have made negative decisions toward learning Bible doctrine.
SOME PRINCIPLES IN FINDING THE RIGHT PASTOR-TEACHER
· NEVER get involved with WORSHIPPING A MAN OR AN ORGANIZATION, no matter how much God may be using that man or organization. For example, instead of viewing ourselves as Christians, as believer-priests, we may see ourselves primarily as Calvinists, Lutherans, Methodists, etc. Don’t follow a man, but follow and appreciate a man’s study and teachings of God’s word. The man himself is not infallible, is not perfect. Do not put him on a pedestal, and do not allow a pastor to "bully" you. The word of God should manage your life, not a man or a Christian organization. It is the pastor’s job to study and teach God’s word, not to run your life for you.
· Every pastor-teacher is a HUMAN BEING WITH AN OLD SIN NATURE. He is a man, and no man is infallible or sinless. The important thing is that his sin does not affect his objectivity in studying and teaching the word of God. Listen to his teaching, and don’t concentrate on the man himself. (See 1 Cor. 4:1).
1 Cor 4:1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. (NIV)
· Some of the WORST SCHOLARSHIP in the world today is in the Christian Church. Many pastors have little knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, and have poor training in systematic theology. What some pastors do to the Bible is an atrocity. They have little or no ability to study or teach the word of God properly.
· Believers should DEMAND PROFESSIONALISM from a pastor in his studying and teaching of God’s word. That’s what we demand from those in other professions, such as doctors, lawyers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc., who provide us with only temporary material things. But when it comes to learning spiritual things which will have eternal consequences, many believers put no time nor effort into carefully considering the church they attend and the pastor who teaches them. Pastors should be the greatest scholars of God’s word and should base their teachings and their authority upon it.
CHOOSING A LOCAL CHURCH AND PASTOR
· It is important for a believer to understand the ISSUE AFTER SALVATION. Salvation enters a believer into the plan of God. You are "born from above", and are a new creation (John 3:3, 8:23). The cross enters you into the plan of God.
· You are RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN LIFE, the quality of your life, the decisions you make, etc. (for example, accepting or rejecting Christ). You have to make up your own mind about living the Christ-Centered Life (without becoming arrogant, but being humble and objective). The glorification of Christ through your life is entirely up to you. At the Judgement Seat of Christ, you alone will stand to be rewarded or not rewarded for the decisions you make now.
· Only your NEGATIVE VOLITION, your rejection of the word of God, can hinder you from executing God’s plan for your life.
· Losers REJECT God’s plan for their lives, and are WITHOUT EXCUSE. They are "losers" because the Bible tells us that at the Judgement Seat of Christ, they will be saved but will suffer loss of rewards. They are without excuse because God has provided the power of the Holy Spirit to enable every believer to fulfill God’s plan for their lives.
· You don’t have to master any special skills or techniques to succeed in the Christ-Centered Life. All you have to do is to LEARN God’s word and EXECUTE it in your life.
· If you decide to be POSITIVE toward Bible doctrine, you will run into OPPOSITION: attacks, warnings, beckonings, challenges. You will have to decide how to handle these things objectively. For instance, if you decide to study God’s word consistently under a pastor-teacher, you may be asked, "How do you know he’s right?" You will hear such vicious statements such as "A Christian who takes in all the time but doesn’t give out will become spiritually fat," or "A lake that takes in but doesn’t have anything flowing out will become stagnant." Such statements are intended to make you feel guilty about your faithfulness to Bible study, and come from Christians who feel guilty themselves about their own neglect in learning the word. These concepts have no Scriptural foundation. They are aimed at moving you away from doing what the Bible expressly commands, and instead concentrating on outward works that other people can see. You need to expect and be able to handle such challenges.
SOME PRINCIPLES CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GROWTH
· You do NOT grow spiritually by WHAT YOU DO, by works, morality, or the Mosaic law.
· You do NOT grow spiritually by FELLOWSHIP WITH PEOPLE.
· You do NOT learn about God from PEOPLE or from NATURE.
· You do NOT develop a love relationship with God through EMOTION or SINCERITY.
· You GROW by KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD. A believer needs to know God’s word to know God and to love Him.
· You FULFILL YOUR DESTINY in Jesus Christ by EXECUTING GOD’S WORD in your life.
What is your pastor-teacher’s attitude about the word of God? A pastor-teacher’s attitude about God’s word should be:
· You are to GROW in the KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST;
· You are to EXECUTE that knowledge in your life.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES CONCERNING THE LEARNING OF GOD’S WORD:
John 8:23 But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. (NIV)
Jesus teaches in this verse that we are born from below through the first birth (physical), and born from above at the second birth (by believing in Christ).
John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (NIV)
Jesus states the same principle in this verse, that we must be born from above. After salvation, we are NEW CREATIONS, born from above. This process is called REGENERATION. Since we experience a new birth, we must start to learn again.
John 8:30 Even as he spoke these things, many came to believe in Him.
"THESE THINGS" is a reference to Bible truths, to doctrines or principles from the word of God.
"SPOKE" - Jesus was communicating doctrine, just as we need a pastor-teacher to communicate it to us.
"MANY CAME TO BELIEVE IN HIM" - The faith response to hearing God’s word is to BELIEVE (PISTEUO in the Greek). Our only response to the word of God needs to be positive volition, to believe, faith.
The world is divided by the SPOKEN WORD (the gospel) into two groups, based on attitude toward Jesus Christ: those who believe in Him, and those who don’t.
The body of Christ, of believers, is further divided by the WRITTEN WORD (the Bible) into two groups: those who learn and execute the word of God, and those who don’t.
John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
Christ states that after believing in Him, we are to ABIDE IN HIS WORD ("hold to my teaching") to show that we are truly disciples. The greatest virtue in the Christ-Centered Life is knowledge of God’s word.
IF - 3rd class condition (maybe you will, maybe you won’t. A believer will either live the Christ- Centered Life, or will lead the self-centered life. The believer will either abide in God’s word, or won’t. The center of your life will either be Christ, or your self.
"abide" (MENO in the Greek) - to abide, stay, live. To take up residence, that is, to live in the word of God. It is your home. This refers to daily intake of doctrine and occupation with Jesus Christ.
"Daily intake of doctrine" is a concept, not a legalistic requirement. It means consistent momentum of intaking the word of God.
"disciples" - means students. a student, who sits and listens to the word of God taught.
Strong’s # 3101 mathetes (math-ay-tes’); from 3129; a learner, i.e. pupil: KJV-- disciple. (DIC)
To live the CHRIST-CENTERED LIFE, to center your life around Jesus Christ, you have to know him, who and what He is, God’s plan for your life. This is done through God’s word, the Bible, which is the "mind of Christ".
REALLY or TRULY - this implies that there are false disciples as well as true disciples.
JOHN 4:20-26
John 4:20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
This verse refers to the dispensation (age) of Israel.
John 4:21 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
This verse refers to the present Church age (dispensation).
John 4:22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Salvation is from Jesus Christ (a Jew).
John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
TRUE implies that some worshipers will be false.
SPIRIT refers to the filling of the Holy Spirit.
TRUTH refers to God’s word, Bible doctrine.
God seeks TRUE WORSHIPERS as defined in this verse.
John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
WORSHIP requires the filling of the Holy Spirit and Bible doctrine.
John 4:25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
This woman demonstrates that she knows some doctrine.
John 4:26 Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he." (NIV)
Christ declares himself to be the Messiah.
COLOSSIANS 1:24-19
Col. 1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Christ’s BODY is the CHURCH.
Col. 1:25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--
TO PRESENT TO YOU THE WORD OF GOD is the primary function of a pastor, to study and teach the word of God for the benefit of every believer.
Col. 1:26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
The word MYSTERY refers to something which has never happened on earth before. This mystery is DISCLOSED or REVEALED through the word of God.
Col. 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY - Jesus Christ resides inside of every believer as the Shekinah Glory, just as He indwelled the Old Testament tabernacle of Israel. This mystery has never happened on earth before the current Church Age, and will never happen again after.
This mystery is made KNOWN AMONG THE GENTILES through the word of God.
Col. 1:28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Does your pastor admonish and teach based on God’s word?
Col. 1:29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. (NIV)
The ENERGY (or POWER) of the Holy Spirit and Bible doctrine is needed for the pastor to function properly.
THE LOCAL CHURCH
1. The term CHURCH refers to those who are CALLED OUT (from the "world"). In the New Testament, the term refers to believers living during the Church Age.
Strong’s # 1577 ekklesia (ek-klay-see’-ah); from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):KJV-- assembly, church. (DIC)
The term CHURCH is sometimes used technically in the Bible to refer to a local church.
1 Cor. 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours: (NIV)
Gal. 1:2 and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia: (NIV)
2. The LOCAL CHURCH refers to a church in a specific geographical location, which has:
a. PASTOR-TEACHER who has that spiritual gift. He is the shepherd of the local flock.
b. BOARD OF DEACONS designed to assist the pastor in ministering to the church.
c. CONGREGATION.
3. MEMBERSHIP in a local church is not a Biblical concept. Rather, it is more related to the "state" (tax laws regarding exemptions, for example). It is the responsibility of the pastor and deacons to admit to membership only believers who accept and respect the authority of the pastor-teacher of that church.
4. There is NO SABBATH in the Church Age, and NO SPECIAL DAYS. Every day is to be lived "as unto the Lord". Jesus said to "abide in my word", to reside continually in the word of God.
5. The PURPOSE of the local church is the equipping of the saints (Ephesians 3):
a. DESEMINATION of bible doctrine;
b. WORSHIP (singing, giving, learning);
c. PREPARATION of future pastors, evangelists, and missionaries;
d. FUNCTION of certain SPIRITUAL GIFTS (administration, teaching children, etc.).
WHAT THE PURPOSE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IS NOT TO BE
1. A social club;
2. A lonely-hearts club;
3. A place to get rid of your kids;
4. An athletic gymnasium;
5. A place to get kids off the streets;
6. A place to make some business deals.
THE PASTOR-TEACHER (A brief profile)
Sinless perfection should not be expected from a pastor. He has an OLD SIN NATURE just like everyone else. No man is infallible, but the pastor should devote his life to STUDYING and TEACHING the word of God.
1. The FUNCTION of the pastor-teacher is to bring together two different authorities:
a. Bible Doctrine - the authority over all believers;
b. Communication of Doctrine - the authority of the pastor-teacher.
2. The pastor-teacher role is a SPIRITUAL GIFT sovereignly bestowed by God the Holy Spirit at the point of salvation, totally apart from human merit, to MEN ONLY. The gift provides the ability and authority to study and teach Bible doctrine to a local congregation through the technique of monologue.
3. Some TERMINOLOGY in the word of God in reference to the pastor-teacher is:
a. PRESBUTEROS - an elder; an older man. This recognizes the AUTHORITY of the pastor in a local church.
Strong’s # 4245 presbuteros (pres-boo’-ter-os); comparative of presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specifically, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian "presbyter": KJV-- elder (-est), old. (DIC)
1 Tim. 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. (NIV)
1 Tim. 5:19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. (NIV)
Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. (NIV)
James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. (NIV)
1 Pet. 1:5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (NIV)
b. POIMEN - a shepherd or pastor. Recognizes the function of a SHEPHERD who protects and rules the flock.
Strong’s # 4166 poimen (poy-mane’); of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively):
KJV-- shepherd, pastor. (DIC)
Eph. 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (NIV)
Heb 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, (NIV)
1 Pet 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (NIV)
c. DIDASKALOS - teacher. Recognizes the pastor as one who is a TEACHER of the word of God.
Strong’s # 1320 didaskalos (did-as’-kal-os); from 1321; an instructor (genitive case or specially):
KJV-- doctor, master, teacher. (DIC)
Eph 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (NIV)
1 Tim 2:7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle-- I am telling the truth, I am not lying-- and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. (NIV)
2 Tim 1:11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (NIV)
d. EPISKOPE - overseer. Recognizes the function of the pastor as a POLICY MAKER.
Strong’s # 1984 episkope (ep-is-kop-ay’); from 1980; inspection (for relief); by implication, superintendence; specially, the Christian "episcopate": KJV-- the office of a "bishop", bishoprick, visitation. (DIC)
1 Tim 3:1-2
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (NIV)
Titus 1:7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless-- not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. (NIV)
1 Pet 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
e. DIAKONOS - servant, minister. Recognizes the pastor as SERVANT or minister to the local church.
Strong’s # 1249 diakonos (dee-ak’-on-os); probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare 1377); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess): KJV-- deacon, minister, servant. (DIC)
2 Cor 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (NIV)
Eph 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. (NIV)
Col 1:25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- (NIV)
1 Tim 3:8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. (NIV)
1 Tim 3:12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. (NIV)
1 Tim 4:6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. (NIV)
4. The PURPOSE of the pastor-teacher is to train and equip the royal family of God for the angelic conflict. The pastor teaches the word of God to prepare believers for life.
Eph. 4:12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
Eph. 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (NIV)
5. The FUNCTION of the pastor-teacher is to teach the word of God.
Eph. 4:20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.
Eph. 4:21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. (NIV)
6. The APPOINTMENT of the pastor-teacher occurs when he receives that gift at the point of salvation through the power of the Holy Spirit. Before actually executing the gift, training in Greek, Hebrew, and other subjects is important as preparation.
7. The RIGHT PASTOR is important for the RIGHT FLOCK. The wrong pastor will destroy a congregation, and vice versa. There are all types of personalities needed for different types of congregations. For example, one pastor may have an older middle-class congregation, while another has a poor and tough inner-city congregation, and each will have to deal with their flock differently.
1 Pet. 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;
8. The concept of the pastor-teacher is one of GRACE. He is a man who will fail occasionally. He can’t be everybody’s friend, and shouldn’t. His job is to study and teach the word of God.
Eph. 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. (NIV)
1 Cor. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-- yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
1 Tim. 1:12-16
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. (NIV)
9. Scriptural DOCUMENTATION of the pastor-teacher:
Eph. 3:7-13
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.
8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. (NIV)
Eph. 4:11-13
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Col. 1:23-29
23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--
26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. (NIV)
2 Tim. 2:24-26
24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (NIV)
1 Tim. 3:1-9
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. (NIV)
Titus 1:6-9
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless-- not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (NIV)
Heb. 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Heb. 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (NIV)
DOCTRINE OF COMMUNICATION (by the Pastor-Teacher)
1. The role of the pastor-teacher is to PROCLAIM or ANNOUNCE a message or an event.
Strong’s # 2784 kerusso (kay-roos’-so); of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): KJV-- preacher (-er), proclaim, publish. (DIC)
1 Cor. 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, (NIV)
2. The manner in which the pastor-teacher is to perform his communicating function is to proclaim the TRUTH.
Strong’s # 2605 kataggello (kat-ang-gel’-lo); from 2596 and the base of 32; to proclaim, promulgate: KJV-- declare, preach, shew, speak of, teach. (DIC)
1 Cor. 2:1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. (NIV)
3. A pastor will have his own METHOD for proclaiming the truth. There are many ways in which he could choose to do this. He may use outlines, a blackboard, notes, etc. It is the message that is important, not the messenger. There are all types of pastors and methods of communication. The issue is that doctrine must be communicated in a manner that is understood.
a. Strong’s # 2097 euaggelizo (yoo-ang-ghel-id’-zo); from 2095 and 32; to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel: KJV-- declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel). (DIC)
1 Cor. 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
b. Strong’s # 1319 didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee’-ah); from 1320; instruction (the function or the information): KJV -- doctrine, learning, teaching.
Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
c. Strong’s # 3870 parakaleo (par-ak-al-eh’-o); from 3844 and 2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): KJV-- beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (- ation), intreat, pray. (DIC)
Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
d. Strong’s # 1651 elegcho (el-eng’-kho); of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish: KJV-- convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove. (DIC)
Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
e. Strong’s # 1246 diakatelegchomai (dee-ak-at-el- eng’-khom-ahee); middle voice from 1223 and a compound of 2596 and 1651; to prove downright, i.e. confute: KJV-- convince. (DIC)
Acts 18:28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
STAGES OF TRANSFERRING GOD’S WORD TO YOUR SOUL
1. Doctrine is COMMUNICATED;
2. It is HEARD and COMPREHENDED;
3. If you express positive volition, that is, if you BELIEVE the doctrine (faith), and if you have the FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, then it is transferred and stored in your soul (in your heart).
4. SPIRITUAL GROWTH occurs as doctrine is transferred to the heart.
You can not learn about Jesus Christ in any other way, and you can not develop a love relationship with Him if you don’t know Him.
RESULTS OF GOD’S WORD IN YOUR SOUL
1. The believer develops an OCCUPATION WITH JESUS CHRIST.
Heb.12:2-3
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (NIV)
Acts 18:9-10
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." (NIV)
2. Doctrine in the soul is the believer’s source of DIVINE VIEWPOINT. There is no other way to get it.
2 Cor. 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (NIV)
Isa. 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (NIV)
Isa. 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (NIV)
3. Doctrine in the soul is the basis for the believer’s orientation to the PLAN OF GOD for his life.
Isaiah 26:3-4 3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
Rom. 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
4. Doctrine is the basis for inner courage and stability, SPIRITUAL SELF-ESTEEM in your life.
Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. (NIV)
5. LACK OF DOCTRINE in the soul causes problems for the believer and can make him an ENEMY OF GOD.
James 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (NIV)
Psalms 119:139 My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. (NIV)
Copyright © 2001, Frank J. Gallagher,
Abiding In The Word,
http://members.aol.com/abidingitw
All materials are written by me and are copyrighted. These materials may be freely copied and distributed for the purpose of study and teaching, so long as they are made available to others free of charge, and my copyright is included. These materials may not, in any manner, be sold nor used to solicit "donations" from others, nor may they be included in anything you intend to copyright, sell, or offer for a fee. God the Holy Spirit freely provides this knowledge in grace, and so do I. My copyright is exercised to keep these materials freely available to all.
