FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Study the requirements for being a bishop or deacon in the church in I Timothy 3:1-13. These
also apply for one who serves as a pastor. Study the characteristics of Jesus as the Good
Shepherd given in John 10:1-18.
TEACHERS
And He gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists, and
some pastors and teachers. (Ephesians 4:11)Teachers are believers who have the special ability of communicating the Word of God
effectively in such a way that others learn and apply what is taught. Teaching involves training,
not just communicating information. The Bible records:
And He gave some...teachers... (Ephesians 4:11)And God hath set some in the church....thirdly, teachers...
(I Corinthians 12:28)...Or he that teacheth on teaching... (Romans 12:7)Not all believers receive the special gift of teaching. Paul asked:
...are all teachers? (I Corinthians 12:29)His answer to this question was "no.” God gives some the special gift of teaching.
The special gift of being a teacher differs from the speaking gift of teaching just as being a
prophet differs from the speaking gift of prophecy. You will recall that Acts 13:1-4 showed
teachers in a special leadership position [along with the prophets] in guiding the ministry of Paul
and Barnabas. All believers do not have the special gift of teaching or the speaking gift of
teaching. But all believers are to be involved in teaching the basic Gospel message:
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach
you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God...
(Hebrews 5:12)
All mature believers are to be involved in teaching the Gospel whether or not they have the
special gift of teaching. (Because of this, Harvestime International Institute offers a separate
course entitled "Teaching Tactics" to provide further instruction in this area).