There is talk on this forum about the wrongness of one depending on teachers to teach us about God. Yet Jesus sent out his Apostles and other disciples to follow his example and teach. So such an idea is necessarily not a Christian one. Correct?

Matthew 28

18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations....

20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:....


Acts 8:

30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him

Ephesians 4:11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

RickJ

No, we must rely on human teachers.

...and to the Apostles He gave Authority:
Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:7, Luke 9:1
Romans 13: 1-4
1 Thes. 4:2
Titus 2:14-15

Starman

If this is so clear,which it is, then why do so many believe that all biblical truth is revealed to them personally just because they read the Bible and that this in itself makes any personal instruction uneccessary and exceedingly undesirable?

Jesushelper76

We learn through meditation, prayer, reading. Communicating with others. The bible is not the only way to learn, nor is having a teacher teach you is the only way to learn. Much is revealed to us by his spirit. It is in our soul and it is up to each and everyone of us to listen to Gods spirit within ourselves to be able to learn about love, about God and what our purpose in this life is about.

Joe

Starman

I didn't say that it was the only way to learn. I am familiar with the value of reading meditating, and conversing with others as well as with the enlightenment which comes via God's holy spirit. What I said was that many people consider rejection of a teacher's guidance a Christian duty. The scriptures reveal that to be a mistaken concept.

Jesushelper76

I understand what you mean now. Rejection of a teachers guidance is not what God wants us to do. We need to rely more on teachers then ourselves. As Jesus and the disciples taught others. Other people relied on them for the teaching about life. So for somebody to just rely on their own knowledge might not gain anything without any guidance from a teacher. Like a father teaching a son from right and wrong.

Joe

jrussole

It is my belief that God speaks to us through many different types of resources, in different ways, through different experiences.

31pumpkin

It is my experience that we are able to have revelation because we first "heard the messages" from selective teachers/pastors or priests. Gifted holy people of God have & do speak in the prophetic. Now, the gift of prophecy is different from a prophet in that a prophet may foretell the future, whereas with the prophetic, one may take scripture & bring to light the same comparison to the present time & how that scripture applies to your life or our lives right now. I received instruction first, then I was able to have a personal relationship with the Lord studying, reading, praying on my own. Church leaders give valuable insight to the interpretation of scripture. One can discern who they rely on from the quality of their messages. I feel an individual will know in their Spirit who they will continue to take heed from & must continue to listen to the leaders of the church.

BTW- If you would like to learn some Theology in addition to the messages in sermons- I found a new pastor to add to my viewing/listening.
Her name is Pastor Melissa Scott. She has a Doctorate in Theology & is on the PAX network- late at midnight M-F ( so sometimes have to record the 1hr. program)
She also is quite a singer.

BLTDay

I think that maybe they're sayin not to put your FULL dependence on human teachers. But to allow Holy Spirit to be the main teacher. We all teach by example and God gives us wisdom to help others. He directly commands us to teach others about Him.

Marily

I believe that we should not rely on any human being, but on the Word of God which the servants of God is preaching.