Teaching and Serving in the Local Church Body
The local church body is consistently depicted in Scripture as a unified entity, often compared to a human body with many distinct parts working together [5, 6, 8, 10]. This unity in Christ means that all believers are considered one body, transcending differences and fostering harmonious relationships [7, 8, 9]. Within this body, individuals are given diverse gifts and roles by God, all intended for the common good and the building up of the church [5, 13].
One significant role within the church is teaching. The Apostle Paul identifies himself as "a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity" [3, 4]. He also instructs Timothy, his protégé, that by "teaching these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus" [2]. The gift of teaching is explicitly mentioned in Romans 12:7, where those who possess it are encouraged to "make use of it" [1]. This teaching involves instructing believers in Christian doctrine and the word of God [12].
Beyond teaching, the local church body requires various forms of service, often referred to as ministry or "deaconship" [11]. Romans 12:7 speaks of those who are called to "the position of a Deacon of the church," urging them to dedicate themselves to it [1]. This encompasses a range of practical services, including ministering to the poor [11]. The concept of diverse gifts for different administrations and operations is emphasized, indicating that each member has a unique function within the spiritual body of the church [13]. These roles are not merely honorary but involve diligent and constant service [11]. Even younger, active members of the church are expected to volunteer their services in various subordinate arrangements, proving useful to the community [14]. The church, as a unified body, thrives when its members care for one another and contribute their specific gifts and services [9].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:7 (BBE) — Or the position of a Deacon of the church, let a man give himself to it; or he who has the power of teaching, let him make use of it;”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:6 (LEB) — By teaching these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, trained in the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed faithfully.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 2:7 (KJV) — Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 2:7 — Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:7: Or ministry, let us wait on our ministry,.... The word sometimes signifies the whole ecclesiastical ministry, even the office of apostleship, as well as the ordinary ministration of the Gospel; see Act 1:17; but here "deaconship", or the office of ministering to the poor saints, as in Act 6:1, being a distinct office from prophesying: or preaching the word, and should be used, exercised, and attended to with diligence, care, and constancy; for such who are appointed to this office, are chosen not only to a place of honour, but of service and business, in which they sh”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:6: Let him that is taught in the word - He who receives instructions in Christianity by the public preaching of the word; Communicate unto him that teacheth - Contribute to the support of the man who has dedicated himself to the work of the ministry, and who gives up his time and his life to preach the Gospel. It appears that some of the believers in Galatia could receive the Christian ministry without contributing to its support. This is both ungrateful and base. We do not expect that a common schoolmaster will give up his time to teach our children their alphabet w”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:6: Having then gifts, differing,.... As in a natural body, the various members of it have not the same office, and do not perform the same actions, thus they have not the same, but different faculties; one has one faculty, another another; the eye has the faculty of seeing, the ear of hearing, &c. thus in the spiritual body the church, as there are different members, these members have not the same work and business assigned them; some are employed one way, and some another; also they have diversities of gifts for their different administrations and operations, and all f”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 5:6: the young men--some of the younger and more active members of the church, not as office-bearers, nor coming forward now for the first time, but who probably had already volunteered their services in making subordinate arrangements. In every thriving Christian community such volunteers may be expected, and will be found eminently useful.”