Ephesian 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
The following information dealing with the five-fold ministry of the church is presented in a question and answer format? My prayer is that as you read the scriptures with an open mind, you will find the answers to the questions provided.
What is the function of a teacher in the Body of Christ?
What other terms were used in the Bible to denote a teacher?
Let's see how Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines teacher or teaching.
The act of instructing students or imparting knowledge and information. As used in the New Testament, the concept of teaching usually means instruction in the faith. Thus, teaching is to be distinguished from preaching, or the proclamation of the gospel to the non-Christian world. Teaching in the Christian faith was validated by Jesus, who was called "teacher" more than anything else.
Since sound instruction in the faith is essential to the spiritual growth of Christians and to the development of the church, the Bible contains numerous passages which deal with teaching (Matt 4:23; Luke 4:14; Acts 13:1-3; Rom 12:6-8; Gal 6:6).
Special attention is directed to the danger of false teachings. Christians are warned to test those who pervert the true gospel (2 Tim 3:1-7; 1 Peter 2:1-3).
Sound teaching was a concept deeply engrained in the Jewish mind since Old Testament times. Moses and Aaron were considered teachers of God's commandments (Ex 18:20). Parents were also directed to teach their children about God and His statutes (Deut 4:9-10).
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Next, we'll use Vines Expository Dictionary to define teacher..
TEACHER.
1. didaskalos NT:1320 is rendered "teacher" or "teachers" in Matt 23:8, by Christ, of Himself; in John 3:2 of Christ; of Nicodemus in Israel, 3:10, RV; of "teachers" of the truth in the churches, Acts 13:1; 1 Cor 12:28,29; Eph 4:11; Heb 5:12; James 3:1, RV; by Paul of his work among the churches, 1 Tim 2:7; 2 Tim 1:11; of "teachers," wrongfully chosen by those who have "itching ears," 2 Tim 4:3. See MASTER,
2. kalodidaskalos NT:2567 denotes "a teacher of what is good" (kalos), Titus 2:3.
3. pseudodidaskalos NT:5572 "a false teacher," occurs in the plural in 2 Peter 2:1.
MASTER
1. didaskalos ( NT:1320), "a teacher" (from didasko, "to teach"), is frequently rendered "Master" in the four Gospels, as a title of address to Christ, e. g., Matt 8:19; Mark 4:38 (there are more instances in Luke than in the other Gospels); John 1:38, where it interprets "Rabbi"; 20:16, where it interprets "Rabboni." It is used by Christ of Himself in Matt 23:8 (see No. 6) and John 13:13-14; by others concerning Him, Matt 17:24; 26:18; Mark 5:35; 14:14; Luke 8:49; 22:11; John 11:28. In John 3:10, the Lord uses it in addressing Nicodemus, RV, "the teacher" (KJV, "a master"), where the article does not specify a particular "teacher," but designates the member of a class; for the class see Luke 2:46, "the doctors" (RV, marg., "teachers"). It is used of the relation of a disciple to his "master," in Matt 10:24,25; Luke 6:40. It is not translated "masters" in the rest of the NT, save in the KJV of James 3:1 "(be not many) masters," where obviously the RV "teachers" is the meaning. See TEACHER.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
We will check Strong’s Greek /Hebrew Dictionary number for the word’s reference number.
NT:1320 didaskalos (did-as'-kal-os); from NT:1321; an instructor (genitive case or specially): KJV - doctor, master, teacher.
NT:2519 kathegetes (kath-ayg-ay-tace'); from a compound of NT:2596 and NT:2233; a guide, i.e. (figuratively) a teacher: KJV - master.
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Next, we'll look at how this word "teacher" appears in scriptures.
Are all pastors teachers?
Are all teachers pastors?
Can women be teachers?
Acts 13:1 NOW IN the church (assembly) at Antioch there were prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God) and teachers (1320): Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger [Black], Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. AMP
1 Cor 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers (1320), after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. KJV
2 Tim 1:11 For [the proclaiming of] this [Gospel] I was appointed a herald (preacher) and an apostle (special messenger) and a teacher (1320) of the Gentiles. AMP
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers (2519)of good things: KJV
In Summary - a few more questions.
Did you see something new in these scriptures?
Did it support, contradict or challenge a belief you may have held?
Did this information cause a negative or a positive response in your heart?
Your Response Journal
You can either download and print our Response Journal or use your own. Either way, please take a few minutes,and jot down your thoughts,reactions and any questions you may have concerning this material.