Spirit Gift of Teacher

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The Spirit's Gift of Teacher

Every Gift of the Holy Spirit is supernatural equipment to serve the people of God.

The fact

that this same term is also used for a human occupation does not blur the distinction between the natural and the supernatural function, for Jesus made it clear that the world (those who do not know Him) cannot receive the Spirit of God (Jn.14:17).

So, this gift is not simply a God-blessed natural aptitude to teach.

Nor is this supernatural spiritual gift needed to qualify anyone as an 'elder' or spiritual leader in Christ's Church, for – 'apt to teach' (1 Tim.3:2) – is a reference to that person's natural ability.

As the

third mentioned spiritual gift, in the reducing geographic scope of leadership gifts in the Christ's Church listed (1Cor.12:28), this Gift is usually set within the local congregation.

Yet, this does not limit the Lord in any way, for Saul/Paul originally left Antioch for Cyprus simply with the recognised spiritually-gifted ministry of Teacher on that most significant first missionary journey, before he received the spiritual gift of apostle at Paphos on Cyprus.

Acts 13:1
(note: the Greek
grammatical division
of these five leaders)

This

gift enables its recipient to be, as it were, a 'scribe' in God's Kingdom –

"And He said to them, 'Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the Kingdom of Heaven is like a master of a house,
who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old'."

Matthew 13:52

The

quality of insight into the precious truth of God's Word, which is received through this Gift in order to teach, cannot be produced by any form of human theological training. Yes, training helps. It sharpens the mind. It broadens the background understanding of a given spiritual issue or aspect of doctrine. But the best trained mind (as good as that of Saul of Tarsus before he was filled with the Spirit of God) is not a substitute for this gracious gift of the Holy Spirit of Truth.

The

climate of this Gift's cultivation is worship, but the discretion of which Gift is given, is only by the choice of the Holy Spirit Himself.

"All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills."

1 Corinthians 12:11

But

the Spirit is not arbitrary, so when our motives conform to His motive (real self-less love for others, especially toward the people of God) then we become available for the best that our God-given circumstance calls for in God's awesome wisdom.

The Gifts of the Spirit

What Really Happened at Pentecost

Praying In Tongues