Teaching and Preaching. Which one is for the Church?

[LT]

From looking at the usage of these terms, it seems clear from Scripture that preaching is for evangelism, and teaching is for the Church.

We use these words very differently today.
What we often call "preaching" is really "teaching with application".

It's a bit late-in-the-game to get all Christians to stop calling Pastors "Preachers",
but I thought it was an interesting study.

I suppose, one possible application would be in reminding ministers that their role from the pulpit is to teach the Body.
A lot of times, they turn their role into a "stationary evangelist", and other times, a mere motivational speaker.

 

[Willie-T]

Preach it, Brother!

 

[LT]

Preach it, Brother!

Well played

 

[Willie-T]

TY.......................................

 

[KennethC]

We are all called to do the work of an evangelist, but we are not all called to be instructor's in the word.

Yes preaching the word and teaching the word is two separate parts of the ministry that gets mingled into one part, but the bible is clear that some are not called for the instructing of others in the word. This is by the Holy Spirit's guidance that draws one to their calling, and we can not just go free willy nilly and become instructor's on our own accord.

One of the issues with instructors is some who were not given that calling go and place other men's doctrines and teaching systems above the truth that is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. When this happens they usually leave the simplicity in the word and make it more complicated then what it really is, and end up telling others unless they take college classes and such they will never understand. That is completely false teaching and shows they put their trust in the man made system over the word of God that says the Holy Spirit gives us all truth !!!

 

[p_rehbein]

Hmm, I thought they were to "feed His sheep?" As in feeding them with His Gospel. As for Preachers vs. Teachers, both have a role to play in the local congregations. However, the more accurate term (in my opinion) is that the Pastor should be the Minister of the flock.

Pastors can use their Sermons to both "preach" the Gospel, and "teach" the flock, but one does not discount the other in my opinion. Simply because there may well be unbelievers in attendance who need to be "preached" to, and there may be members of the flock who also need "a good preaching" now and again.

 

[Willie-T]

We probably hear "The Gospel" from our preacher maybe twice or three times a year. The rest of the time we get what might be closer to some of the Epistles, or maybe instruction in one thing or another.

 

[p_rehbein]

We probably hear "The Gospel" from our preacher maybe twice or three times a year. The rest of the time we get what might be closer to some of the Epistles, or maybe instruction in one thing or another.

Hmm.......well, ok. But seriously, if that is all our Pastor offered of the Gospel, I would have a personal chat with him.

Now, keeping in mind that The Apostle Paul "preached the Gospel of Christ." So IF our Pastor tied in Scriptures from the Epistles WITH Scriptures from one or more of the four Gospels, that would be ok with me. But to not have the Gospel preached more than once or twice a year?

 

[LT]

We are all called to do the work of an evangelist, but we are not all called to be instructor's in the word.

Yes preaching the word and teaching the word is two separate parts of the ministry that gets mingled into one part, but the bible is clear that some are not called for the instructing of others in the word. This is by the Holy Spirit's guidance that draws one to their calling, and we can not just go free willy nilly and become instructor's on our own accord.

One of the issues with instructors is some who were not given that calling go and place other men's doctrines and teaching systems above the truth that is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. When this happens they usually leave the simplicity in the word and make it more complicated then what it really is, and end up telling others unless they take college classes and such they will never understand. That is completely false teaching and shows they put their trust in the man made system over the word of God that says the Holy Spirit gives us all truth !!!

Some are certainly called to instruct. There are many verses that use the phrase.

As for your definition of "instructors", I agree. Many overreach what is revealed in Scripture in order to make their theological system work. Examples such as Arminianists, Dispensationalists, Covenant Theologists, etc... they all must overreach what is in the Scriptures (not necessarily contradict, but use logic to connect dots that are not obviously left unconnected intentionally by God).

I do not see evidence in Scripture of the roles of teaching and preaching being mingled into one. They are distinct gifts.
They are "given to one, and not the other", and vice verses.
It is a Catholic Era understanding of Church leadership that mingled these roles.

 

[LT]

Hmm, I thought they were to "feed His sheep?" As in feeding them with His Gospel. As for Preachers vs. Teachers, both have a role to play in the local congregations. However, the more accurate term (in my opinion) is that the Pastor should be the Minister of the flock.

Pastors can use their Sermons to both "preach" the Gospel, and "teach" the flock, but one does not discount the other in my opinion. Simply because there may well be unbelievers in attendance who need to be "preached" to, and there may be members of the flock who also need "a good preaching" now and again.

I think that the role of "pastor" is actually a third role. We call it "counselling" in modern times. It also deals with the decision-making role within a congregation, which is best suited for one who is compassionate enough to mentor and counsel others, rather than the guy who speaks well in front of others.

 

[LT]

I do expect to hear Gospel clearly and consistently from any teacher. The Gospel is not exclusive to evangelism.
I was NOT saying that the Gospel should be removed from the pulpit.

 

[Willie-T]

Hmm.......well, ok. But seriously, if that is all our Pastor offered of the Gospel, I would have a personal chat with him.

Now, keeping in mind that The Apostle Paul "preached the Gospel of Christ." So IF our Pastor tied in Scriptures from the Epistles WITH Scriptures from one or more of the four Gospels, that would be ok with me. But to not have the Gospel preached more than once or twice a year?

Most of us take the Gospel to the streets every week. Sometimes the "Pastor" goes along. But he is a firm believer that it is OUR "jobs' to be preaching the Gospel, not exclusively, nor even primarily, his. After all, there is not a person in our congregation that does not already know the Gospel of the Kingdom pretty well.... or we never would have believed it and become Christians.

 

[p_rehbein]

Some are certainly called to instruct. There are many verses that use the phrase.

As for your definition of "instructors", I agree. Many overreach what is revealed in Scripture in order to make their theological system work. Examples such as Arminianists, Dispensationalists, Covenant Theologists, etc... they all must overreach what is in the Scriptures (not necessarily contradict, but use logic to connect dots that are not obviously left unconnected intentionally by God).

I do not see evidence in Scripture of the roles of teaching and preaching being mingled into one. They are distinct gifts.
They are "given to one, and not the other", and vice verses.
It is a Catholic Era understanding of Church leadership that mingled these roles.

So you are saying a person can not be dispensed more than one gift from the Spirit?

As for the rest of your comment, it appears you might well be guilty of a wee bit of "overreaching" yourself.

Back to the first: The Apostle Paul both "preached" and "taught." As did others of the Disciples.

 

[Magenta]

We probably hear "The Gospel" from our preacher maybe twice or three times a year. The rest of the time we get what might be closer to some of the Epistles, or maybe instruction in one thing or another.

We have been going through the Gospel of Mark for a few months now, and we are only up to chapter four so far! I am loving it

 

[Willie-T]

We have been going through the Gospel of Mark for a few months now, and we are only up to chapter four so far! I am loving it

But, the book called, "The Gospel of Mark" is not "The Gospel" that we are tasked with taking to the World.

 

[Angela53510]

All this opinion and conjecture, and not a word from the Bible!

Here is the definitive passage!

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." Eph. 4:11-16

 

[p_rehbein]

I think that the role of "pastor" is actually a third role. We call it "counselling" in modern times. It also deals with the decision-making role within a congregation, which is best suited for one who is compassionate enough to mentor and counsel others, rather than the guy who speaks well in front of others.

Each to his own.........however the Pastor is suppose to be the Spiritual Leader of the congregation. The Pastor wears "many hats" in his service to God. Preacher, Teacher, Comforter, Counselor, Instructor, and others. It is a special calling in my opinion.

Romans 10:8 .) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 .) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 .) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 .) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 .) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 .) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 .) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 .) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!


John 21:15 .) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 .) He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 .) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 

[KennethC]

Some are certainly called to instruct. There are many verses that use the phrase.

As for your definition of "instructors", I agree. Many overreach what is revealed in Scripture in order to make their theological system work. Examples such as Arminianists, Dispensationalists, Covenant Theologists, etc... they all must overreach what is in the Scriptures (not necessarily contradict, but use logic to connect dots that are not obviously left unconnected intentionally by God).

I do not see evidence in Scripture of the roles of teaching and preaching being mingled into one. They are distinct gifts.
They are "given to one, and not the other", and vice verses.
It is a Catholic Era understanding of Church leadership that mingled these roles.

Yes there are many who will be called to be instructors but there is only one teacher (God Himself), and the Apostle Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 4:15. Some have taken and misused this verse to try and say Paul calls himself father in this passage, which is one of the verses Catholics use to justify the title for their priests.

However that would then make this scripture contradict with the Lord's in Matthew 23:9 where He clearly said do not be called by this title. We are called to instruct others in the Lord's teaching as that is the sound doctrine we are to continue in giving, and anybody who takes away and says His teachings in the gospel books are not for us is not teaching sound doctrine.

 

[LT]

So you are saying a person can not be dispensed more than one gift from the Spirit?

As for the rest of your comment, it appears you might well be guilty of a wee bit of "overreaching" yourself.

Back to the first: The Apostle Paul both "preached" and "taught." As did others of the Disciples.

Many are given both gifts, and some given many gifts.

I suppose I do have to back-track. I was not saying that the gifts cannot be present in one person, but that the roles are not "mingled into one", meaning that all pastors are also preachers and teachers.

This is exactly what we expect when we hire a pastor, but it is rarely ever the reality of their gifting.
I was using the requirement of the individual having the gift, to narrow Kenneth's view of the roles given.
A person's role does not narrow their gifting to that role, but a person's gifting narrows what roles they are eligible for.
In other words, the roles are not mingled.

 

[KennethC]

We have been going through the Gospel of Mark for a few months now, and we are only up to chapter four so far! I am loving it

Keep up the good reading and be instructed in the word, as the teachings from the Lord from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are for all believers to follow and obey out of love for Him.