What is the gift of teaching?

Teaching others about the Word of God is an integral part of the New Testament.  In The Great Commission, Jesus Christ commanded his disciples “...Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you….” (Matthew 28:19 NIV)  Does this mean that everyone is a teacher of the Word of God?  Or has the Holy Spirit entrusted certain believers with the spiritual gift of teaching for uniquely reaching others?

The spiritual gift of teaching is a very common gift in that the Apostle Paul ranked the gift and included it in three different epistles – Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians.

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many from one body, and each member belongs to the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.  If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith…if it is teaching, let him teach….” (Romans 12:4-7 NIV)

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.  Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?  Do all work miracles?  Do all have gifts of healing?  Do all speak in tongues?  Do all interpret?  But eagerly desire the greater gifts? (I Corinthians 12:27-30 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up….” (Ephesians 4:11-12 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

             

The aforementioned passages indicate that only some believers are entrusted with the spiritual gift of teaching, although every believer should be ready to teach others about God’s work in his or her life.  The Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy also indicates that the overseers of local churches should have the spiritual gift of teaching, as well as the gifts of leadership and pastoring. (I Timothy 3:1-5)  Much like the gifts of leadership and pastoring, if overseers do not have the gift of teaching they should work closely with other believers who can complement their spiritual gifts, or the lack thereof.

Saint Mark provides a great example of how Jesus Christ taught others to apply the Word of God to their lives.  As Jesus Christ taught to a crowd in the temple courts, he quoted a psalm from the Old Testament about the Christ (Messiah) being the son of David and then asked the crowd an intriguing question about the deity of the Messiah in relation to the lineage of David.  “How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David?  David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’  David himself calls him ‘Lord.’  How then can he be his son?”  (Mark 12:35-37 NIV)

As for teaching in general, the world is full of many great teachers who have the natural talent of being able to instruct others as well as connect with them.  Just look around our communities and you will find many talented people teaching others in our businesses and homes, be it learning a skill or trade.  On the other hand, you have many people who also taught how to be teachers or instructors for their respective careers.  Regardless, teachers make a great impact on helping our communities and businesses flourish.

 

When it comes to the spiritual gift of teaching, the Holy Spirit uniquely equips certain believers to effectively instruct others and help them apply the Word of God to their lives.  The Holy Spirit has entrusted many believers with the gift of teaching to serve in different roles within our churches, be it overseeing the church or individually teaching others, in fulfillment of The Great Commission…making disciples of all nations.

What is the gift of speaking in tongues?

Do you speak in tongues, or not?  Is speaking in tongues the initial physical evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a believer’s life?  These common questions, as well as many others, are heard throughout many churches.  With so many questions pertaining to this interesting subject, what is the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues and what role does it play in the church?

 

The gift of speaking in tongues is listed among the spiritual gifts in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given though the Spirit the message of wisdom…to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All of these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” (I Corinthians 12:4-11 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

Like the other spiritual gifts, the Apostle Paul used rhetorical questioning to indicate that speaking in tongues is distinctly separate from the other spiritual gifts.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.  Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?  Do all work miracles?  Do all have gifts of healing?  Do all speak in tongues?  Do all interpret?  But eagerly desire the greater gifts.” (I Corinthians 12:27-31 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

One of the first examples of speaking in tongues is found in the New Testament, when the apostles were gathered together on the Day of Pentecost.  Prior to this event, Jesus Christ appeared to the apostles and told them “…For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5 NIV)  When the Day of Pentecost came in Jerusalem, as there were God-fearing Jews from every nation in the city, all of the apostles became filled with the Holy Spirit and they began speaking the gospel in dialects and languages that were familiar to the Jews from the various parts of the world.  The apostles’ special ability (spiritual gift) to speak in tongues bewildered the Jews, since it enabled the Jews to understand the gospel message in their own dialects and languages. (Acts 2:1-11)

  

The work of the Holy Spirit indwelling believers is not limited to them speaking in tongues.  For example, you have the Apostle Peter and John praying with their own people, becoming filled with the Holy Spirit and then speaking the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:23-24, 31)  Another example is Stephen working in the church and how the Holy Spirit indwelled him with a special wisdom that the opposing members from a synagogue could not stand up against. (Acts 6:8-10)  Rather, the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifested in many different ways…through the various spiritual gifts.

The practice of speaking in tongues encountered some confusion in the New Testament, evident by the Apostle Paul using a large portion of Chapter 14 in I Corinthians to discuss this issue.  In Chapter 12, he emphasized how we should “…eagerly desire the greater gifts….” (I Corinthians 12:31 NIV)  In Chapter 14, the Apostle Paul clarified part of this point with the very first verse emphasizing, “…eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” (I Corinthians 14:1 NIV)  Throughout the rest of the chapter there are numerous verses contrasting the differences between the gifts of prophecy and speaking in tongues, as well as addressing order within worship.

 “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit…He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he prophesies edifies the church.  I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.  He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.”  (I Corinthians 14:2, 4-5 NIV, italics added for emphasis) 

“Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?  Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?  Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?  So it is with you.  Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying?  You will just be speaking into the air…For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.” (I Corinthians 14:6-9 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

 

“What then shall we say, brothers?  When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.  All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.  If anyone speaks in a tongue, two – or at the most three – should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.  Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.  But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (I Corinthians 14:26-28, 39-40 NIV, italics added for emphasis)

 

In simple terms, the Apostle Paul is primarily addressing how believers should convey themselves when they publicly speak (e.g., sing, read, pray, etc.) on behalf of the church during the service.  In other words, if believers are speaking in tongues to the congregation, they should be limited to two or three speakers and there should be an interpreter present. (I Corinthians 14:27-28)  On the contrary, as for the other believers who may speak in tongues within the congregation, such as during the worship and/or prayer portion of the service, they should speak to themselves and God in a manner that is respectful to the overall order of the church service. (I Corinthians 14:18-19, 39-40)

Overall, the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues is when the Holy Spirit guides a believer to miraculously utter words in an unfamiliar language and/or dialect for the distinct purpose of spreading and relating the message of salvation to others and ultimately glorifying God.  Likewise, some believers may experience speaking in ecstatic utterances while having a personal prayer time.  As a result, believers should familiarize themselves with the guidelines for this gift, in ensuring that the message of salvation is spread to others in an orderly manner.