Call no man your Teacher

[Stewardofthemystery]

In Matthew 23:8-10 Jesus said; "But be not you called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be you called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."

Rabbi is a title the Jews used to address their "teachers"; Same with the word master which means "a guide or a teacher."

In this the Lord was trying to show us the importance of seeking understanding from Him alone by faith, and not from "carnally minded" men.

In many churches and forums you will hear all kinds of different doctrines being taught, but they all do not agree; and they will not agree. That is because there are so many different "man-made" interpretations of scripture, and many different denominations preaching "their own" point of view; which is often of "the flesh" and not of “the Holy Spirit.”

But we must understand by the words of God that wisdom and understanding in His words does not come from any man, but only by God through His Spirit of Truth.  Just as it is written, the things of God no man knows, but only the Spirit of God.

Just as the Spirit that comes from God is not divided, neither is Christ divided, nor is the Holy Spirit divided in His way of thinking.
 

This is why Paul said to be of "One mind"; and that is only accomplished by having "the mind of Christ" via the Spirit of Christ dwelling in you.

Paul said if any man had not "the Spirit of Christ", then he was not of Christ.

Paul said in Ephesians 4:20-21 "But you have not so learned Christ; if so be that you have been "taught by Him", as the truth is in Christ. 

When God's Living Word (Christ) enters into you via the Holy Spirit, then Christ becomes your Master and your Teacher.

Paul said in Galatians 1:11-12 "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Paul was talking about having Christ "in" Him, that is the living Word of God "in" him. 

The scribes and the Pharisees had the written words of God which they searched, studied, and memorized; but listen to what Jesus said to them in John 8:37 

"I know that you are Abrahams seed; but you seek to kill me, because "my word" has no place "in" you."

This means “the Living Word”, or Christ, was not dwelling "in them" via the Holy Spirit; and that is also why Jesus said they could not "hear" His words.

And that is what the Lord Jesus wanted us to understand when He told us to call no man Rabbi, or Master.

When Jesus asked his disciples who they say he was, and Peter replied Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Notice Jesus’ reply in Matthew 16:17 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” 

Just as John the Baptist said by the Spirit in John 3:27 “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”

Just as those who are born of God shall also be "taught by God".

Jesus said in John 6:45 “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath "heard", and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”

Faith comes by hearing and "hearing" comes by the Word of God.

In James 1:5 we are told; "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him."

But in the next verse we are told; "but let him ask in faith."

We must also believe that God can give us the understanding and knowledge we seek to discern His words. And this knowledge is given to us by way of the Holy Spirit; which is the Spirit of Truth.

It is written of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which "man's wisdom" teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

In Luke 11:10 Jesus said; "For every one that asks recieves, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knocks it shall be open."

We are told in verse 13:"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him." 

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth Jesus spoke of in John 16:13;"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all Truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come."

Many new converts do not understand how this wonderful gift of understanding is offered to all those who “truly believe”in the power of God to give you understanding and wisdom in His words.

But sadly many run to men teachers, books, and literature and other sources on the internet to learn things written by other "carnally minded" men who have not the Holy Spirit of Truth. And by this defiled man made doctrine, they are then also led astray and corrupted.
 

And that is how the enemy works and deceives many, by teaching the false doctrines of "carnally minded" men.

In Jeremiah 17:5 it is written; "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that "trusts in man", and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord."

Jesus said in Matthew 15:9;"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for "doctrines" the commandments "of men."

It was the "man made doctrine" and traditions that corrupted the Truth then, even as it is today. This is that leaven that can leaven the whole lump!

Jesus warned the early disciples in Matthew 16:6 when he said; "Take heed and beware of "the leaven" of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." In verse 12 we see the "leaven" of the Pharisees was their "doctrine".

It was this "man-made" doctrine that corrupted the Truth then by the spirit of this world, as "it" is also at work "in" many denominations of the man-made church system today.

So as it says in Ephesians 4:14 be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with "every wind of doctrine", by the sleight of "men", and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" 

But rather seek “by faith”that spiritual understanding and wisdom in the Word of God that can only be obtained through the anointing of the Spirit of Truth in Jesus Christ.

We are told in 1 John 2:27 "But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him."

This wisdom is given freely to us from the Father of lights in heaven above, if we believe.

Peace and God bless

[JimmyB]

1 Corinthians 12:28, "And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues."

God has placed teachers in the church for a good reason.  

[Marathoner]

1 hour ago, JimmyB said:

1 Corinthians 12:28, "And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues."

God has placed teachers in the church for a good reason.  

This is true, my friend. A brother introduced me to the scriptures after I came to Christ a long time ago, and he was indeed a teacher for me. I was utterly clueless and so the Spirit sent me his way. 

Back then, he was an early Church historian in the making. His library was immense, and he gave me unfettered access to it all. I would sit cross-legged in his library reading until my legs were numb.  

[Stewardofthemystery]

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
 

[Stewardofthemystery]

3 hours ago, JimmyB said:

God has placed teachers in the church for a good reason.  

Who has the greater witness, men or God?

1 John 5:9

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God “is greater:”for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

[JimmyB]

1 hour ago, Stewardofthemystery said:

Who has the greater witness, men or God?

1 John 5:9

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God “is greater:”for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

So I will believe God (as always) and not you (a man).

Again, 1 Corinthians 12:28, "And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues."  If God Himself has placed teachers in the church He had a definite purpose in mind.  That is a far greater testimony to the truth than taking a single verse out of context to try to change God's clear meaning.

Here is your verse in context: "This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."

Do you understand the meaning of "eisegesis"?

[JimmyB]

2 hours ago, Stewardofthemystery said:

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
 

More eisegesis.

[JimmyB]

1 Corinthians 12:28-30, "And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of 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?"

Ephesians 4:11-12, "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up"

If God the Father and Jesus the Son gave us teachers, there is a very good reason for doing so. 

Your eisegesis is clearly distorting the word of God!

[Michael37]

5 minutes ago, JimmyB said:

Your eisegesis is clearly distorting the word of God!

I've been approving your posts in this conversation to give you the audience you aim for, @JimmyB , but I won't if I see any more insults.

[JimmyB]

28 minutes ago, Michael37 said:

I've been approving your posts in this conversation to give you the audience you aim for, @JimmyB , but I won't if I see any more insults.

@Stewardofthemystery wrote this: "In this the Lord was trying to show us the importance of seeking understanding from Him alone by faith, and not from "carnally minded" men.

And "In many churches and forums you will hear all kinds of different doctrines being taught, but they all do not agree; and they will not agree. That is because there are so many different "man-made" interpretations of scripture, and many different denominations preaching "their own" point of view; which is often of "the flesh" and not of “the Holy Spirit.”

He claims that God did not give us teachers, but the Bible clearly says otherwise.  That is a valid criticism, not an insult.

Edited August 3, 2023 by JimmyB