Where
are the Teachers?
“Where
are the teachers?” Over and over I kept hearing, “Where are the teachers?” Prophets
and the prophetic in general, pastors and evangelists, and even apostles
(though they may be called denomination heads or superintendents), are widely
accepted by the Charismatic Christian community. But are teachers? Are 5-fold
equipping teachers embraced by the Charismatic church at large? (All overseers must be able to teach, but not all overseers are 5-fold governmental teachers.)
As
the Holy Spirit asked me where the teachers were, He showed me a picture of a
train to speak about the 5-fold ministry and the church.
Blueprints for the train were given to Apostle. Apostle helped others see their part in building the train, since
the train is built as each member does its work.
Pointing the train in the right
direction was Prophet. Prophet saw conditions ahead and helped others to see
too. I saw Prophet leaning out the side of the train into the future. Wind
blowing in their face—stretching and pointing ahead trying to get those they
had gathered around them to see what and as they saw.
Pastor’s main concern and focus was for those
on the train. I saw that Pastor reproduced their ministry in others; therefore,
those on the train began to serve and take care of one another due to the ministry
of Pastor.
Leaning out the window at every stop
was Evangelist. They were pleading with all to get on aboard. Evangelist ran up and down the train's aisles
to stir up as many as possible trying to get them involved—to get them to see the condition of the
people off the train. Evangelist caused quite a commotion.
And Teacher—Teacher’s function and key
ministry was to keep the train on the tracks. Teacher knew it took quite a bit
of skill and study to maneuver through the storms and winds, but they found
great joy in doing so and in teaching others to do so, as well. Teacher knew the train was built to run on the tracks and there was great danger if the train
got off the tracks.
The Lord, furthermore,
spoke about the Holy Spirit’s fire that burns fuel to power the
engine. There were different fuels and different ways
that He converted it into power. The Lord is a consuming
fire, and we are the sacrifice that is to be burned, along with the oil of His Spirit that we purchase. (Matthew 25) Our hearts should look like this train's firebox.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 warns and instructs us not to put out
the Spirit’s Fire. Without fuel converted into power the train won’t go
anywhere—except downhill.Ephesians 4 says the purpose of the 5-fold is for equipping and edifying the church, so that she will grow up able to discern error, stand in truth, and promote growth by speaking the truth in love.
Doctrine
that is off-center is incapable of keeping people biblically sound. It is also
incapable for healthy growth and will not lead to the Kingdom of God manifesting on the earth through the church. The body of Christ needs teachers to break through erroneous doctrines and by the constraints of sound teaching move people
who are off the tracks back onto the tracks.
However,
truth comes at a cost. Paul said to the Galatians, “Have I become your enemies
by telling you the truth?” Stephen was stoned after speaking truth to the Jews.
When Jesus spoke the truth, “Before Abe was I AM,” the people picked up stones
to kill Him on the spot. The Jews (and Romans) killed their Messiah—the Truth incarnate. Think about the Old Testament prophets and others who stood for truth—many were killed.
Here
is an example of a teaching that will undoubtedly stir up some conflict. It is an
example of why Charismatic churches need to embrace teachers.
I often hear, "You will also decree
a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.”
(Job 22:28 NAS)
The point leaders are making is that
we can decree a thing, as the church, and it will be established. So, people go on decreeing things they
want done—maybe even things God wants done. The first time I heard this taught some years ago, I felt uncomfortable. When I
got home I looked up the scripture in the Bible. I found it in Job 22:28 NAS.
There are rules for Bible exegesis. Context is one of those rules. “Decree a thing, and it will be established for
you” was spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite! God said to Eliphaz in Job 42:7, “My
wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of
Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” (NKJV) To use Job 22:28, spoken
by Eliphaz, as a proof-text that we can make a decree and it will be established is completely against sound
Biblical exegesis. We cannot pull from Eliphaz’s words to establish a doctrine—he
did not speak accurately about God! There is another who didn’t speak
accurately about God and I don’t imagine we want to quote him for a proof-text
either.
A
teacher should inspire others to pursue truth. They should not be boring
information providers. They should speak under the Anointing of the Holy Spirit
and ignite others to search out the scriptures. They should equip others on how
to study the Bible, receive the truth within, and rightly handle the Word of Truth.
A
teacher should whet the appetite of those they instruct.
A
teacher keeps the church on the tracks.
