BY WHAT AUTHORITY DO WE TEACH?

[In past articles we have seen the New Testament authority for our various acts of worship. We are now considering the work of the church: evangelism, edification and benevolence.]

Evangelism generally refers to preaching the gospel to those who are not saved, and in another article we showed the authority for the church to preach the gospel. We distinguish this from edification, which refers to the continual building up, or strengthening, of those who are Christians.

The same great commission which charges us to proclaim the gospel also commands us to “teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:20). This is what the Bible generally calls edification.

That edification is a required work of the church is made quite clear in Ephesians 4:16:

“That which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” While we can and should engage in individual study (2 Tim. 2:15), it is clear that this particular growth cannot be attained by individual effort. It is the joints the interactions of Christians, which results in this positive spiritual growth.

Neither can it be accomplished merely by social interaction. It must produce “the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God” by “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:13-14).

This task was accomplished by the church in a variety of ways as recorded in the New Testament, e.g., “publicly and from house to house” (Acts 5:42, 20:20). When allowed to, Paul often used the facilities of the synagogue. However, on one occasion when this no longer facilitated his efforts, “he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus” (Acts 19:9).

The New Testament places great emphasis upon WHAT is to be taught. For example, 2 John 9-10 indicates that we should not have any fellowship at all with teachers who do not bring the teaching that “going beyond the doctrine of Christ” separates us from God.

On the other hand, very little emphasis and no commands are given with regard to specific methods of teaching. Thus, we must use the most effective means that we can in communicating the truth to our fellow Christians. This might include the use of a variety of expedients: written material, tapes, videos, chalk boards, diagrams, etc. Also, as an expedient, we might organize our teaching anything from one-on-one (Acts 18:26) to that which occurs during formal preaching in the local assembly (Acts 20:7).