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One of the qualifications for a bishop is "apt to teach". Much the same thought is
expressed in II Tim. 2: 2 where Timothy, the "evangelist", is enjoined:--
"The things which thou hast heard of me, through many witnesses, these things entrust
to faithful men, who shall be competent to teach others also."
The opening words of the Epistle to the Philippians reveal that the ministry of bishops
and deacons was then recognized:--
"To all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons"
(Phil. 1: 1).
The gift of teacher is joined with that of pastor, or shepherd as the word is. Much
light may be received upon the Scriptural conception of a true teacher by weighing well
the parallel title, "shepherd".
THE SHEPHERD, OR PASTOR, MAKES FOR UNITY.
"Scattered . . . . as sheep that have no shepherd" (II Chron. 18: 16).
"Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered" (Zech. 13: 7).
"There shall be one fold, and one shepherd" (John 10: 16)
THE SHEPHERD, OR PASTOR, DISCRIMINATES.
"As a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats" (Matt. 25: 32)
THE SHEPHERD, OR PASTOR, FEEDS THE FLOCK.
"Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?" (Ezek. 34: 2).
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" (Psa. 23: 1).
"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd" (Isa. 40: 11).
THE SHEPHERD, OR PASTOR, DEFENDS THE FLOCK.
"The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10: 11).
Ezek. 34: 1-10 contains a terrible indictment:--
"Prophesy against the shepherd of Israel . . . . . Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that
do feed themselves! . . . . . the diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye bound
up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away,
neither have ye sought that which was lost: but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled
them . . . . . I will require My flock at their hand."
The pastor and teacher should not feed themselves at the expense of the church, they
have a responsibility to the sick, the lame, the scattered, the lost. Meekness,
longsuffering and patience are to be the characteristics of their rule, not "force and
cruelty". Did time and space permit, we could go through the features of the apostle's
ministry in the same way, and indeed through the four great gifts to men. This happy and
salutary task may be undertaken by the reader for himself, so that in any sphere of service
that we may be called to fulfil we may, by having the Scriptural pattern before us, be
enabled to fulfil that ministry as unto the Lord.
In conclusion, let us remember that these gifts of the ascended Christ are but faint
reflections of Himself. He is the apostle, the great Sent One; He is the prophet, the Word
of God; He is the evangelist, the preacher of the good tidings of God; He is the pastor,