1. Christ's Life:
In the New Testament we find that Jesus is pre-eminently the teacher, though He was also preacher and healer (Mt 4:23). His Sermon on the Mount was matchless teaching. He opened His mouth and "taught" (Mt 5:2). The titles "teacher," "master," "rabbi" all indicate the most prominent function of His active ministry. Even at the age of 12 years He revealed His wisdom and affinity in the midst of the rabbis or Jewish teachers of the Law in the temple (Lu 2:41 f). In the power of the Spirit He taught so that all recognized His authority (Lu 4:14-15; Mt 7:29). He explained to the disciples in private what He taught the people in public (Mt 13:36). His principles and methods of teaching constitute the standard by which all true pedagogy is measured, and the ideal toward which all subsequent teachers have toiled with only partial success (Mt 7:28-29; Joh 1:49; 3:2; 6:46). In the Commission as recorded in Mt 28:18-19,20 we have the work of Christianity presented in educational terms. We find the supreme authority (Mt 28:18), the comprehensive content--the evangelistic, the ceremonial, the educational, the practical (Mt 28:19 and Mt 20:1-34a), and the inspiring promise (Mt 28:20b).
2. Apostolic Labors:
The emphasis laid upon teaching in the Apostolic age is a natural consequence of the need of the people and the commands of Jesus. The practice of the apostles is quite uniform. They preached or proclaimed, but they also expounded. In Jerusalem the converts continued in the apostles' teaching (Ac 2:42); and daily in the temple and in the homes of the people the teaching was correlated with preaching (Ac 5:42). In Antioch, the center of foreign missionary operations, Paul, Silas, Barnabas and many others taught the word of the Lord (Ac 15:35). In Thessalonica, Paul and Silas for three weeks reasoned with the people out of the Scriptures, opening up the sacred secrets and proving to all candid minds that Jesus was the Messiah (Ac 17:1-3). In Berea, instruction in the synagogue was followed by private study, and as a result many believed in the Lord (Ac 17:10-15). In Athens, Paul discussed and explained the things of the kingdom of God, both in the synagogue 3 times a week and in the market daily (Ac 17:16 f). In Corinth, Paul having been denied the use of the synagogue taught the word of the Lord for a year and a half in the house of Justus, and thus laid the foundation for a great church (Ac 18:1-11). In Ephesus, Paul taught for 2 years in the school of Tyrannus, disputing and persuading the people concerning the kingdom of God (Ac 19:8-10). In Rome, Paul expounded the word, testified to its truth, and persuaded men to accept the gospel (Ac 28:23). His method of work in Rome under trying limitations is described as cordially receiving the people and preaching the kingdom of God, and "teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ" (Ac 28:30-31).
3. General Considerations:
The office of teacher is fundamentally related to the creation of a missionary atmosphere (Ac 13:1). Religious teaching is necessary to the development of Christian character and the highest efficiency in service (1Co 12:4-11,28-29; Eph 4:11-12). The qualification of the pastor is vitally connected with the teaching function of the church. He is to hold the truth, or to be orthodox (Tit 1:9), to apply the truth, or to be practical (Tit 1:9), to study the truth, or to be informed (1Ti 4:13,15), to teach the truth, or to be equipped or able and tactful (2Ti 2:2; 1Ti 3:2), to live the truth, or to be faithful in all things (2Ti 2:2; 1Ti 4:16). The teaching function of Christianity in the 2nd century became strictly official, thereby losing much of its elasticity. A popular manual for the guidance of religious teachers was styled the "Teaching of the Twelve" '(see DIDACHE). The writings of the Apostolic Fathers give valuable information in regard to the exercise of the gifts of teaching in the early centuries (Didache xiii.2; xv. 1, 2; Barnabas 18; Ignatius to the Ephesians 31).
See CATECHIST; EDUCATION; SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
Byron H. Dement