Proposition: 
 "The Scriptures teach that all of or most of the public preaching and teaching of a congregation is 
not to be done by a single man.  It is the responsibility of all male members to publicly instruct the 
congregation."

Once again, greetings to all.  I echo the thanks of Steve towards the list owners for such a forum 
and to Steve himself for agreeing to this discussion.  May God grant us all wisdom and 
understanding with this and all scriptural matters.

There is much to be covered from Steve's first rebuttal relating to the above proposition but I wish 
to address an issue mentioned by Steve.  I count approximately six times when Steve brings up the 
issue of women speakers and my attempt to exclude them from the common responsibility of 
public instruction.  This issue of the woman's role in public instruction of the congregation is off-
topic.  The proposition specifically addresses the responsibilities of the men and does not address 
the responsibilities of the women.  The role of the women is a matter for another proposition and 
another day.

In his first rebuttal, Steve said, "you cite no apostolic command that prohibits a single man to do 
all or most of the congregation's teaching."  I cited at least one apostolic command for multiple 
men to instruct the congregation.  I Corinthians 14:29 - "Let two or three prophets speak, and let 
the others judge."  The command from Paul was for multiple prophets to address the 
congregation.  As with all aspects of God's word, a command for a specific mode prohibits any 
other optional modes.  When God commands 2 or 3 prophets to speak this prohibits the practice of 
limiting speaking to a single prophet when multiple are present.

I also cited at least one apostolic example with Acts 15:35 when Paul and Barnabas preached and 
taught with many others also.  This passage makes it quite clear that the preaching and teaching at 
Antioch was not done but a single individual but by multiple individuals.  In fact, Steve later 
admits that Antioch had multiple teachers when he stated, "There were five teachers in the church 
at Antioch, a congregation with 'a large number' [Acts 11:22 and Acts 13:1]."  

Regarding Hebrews 10:25 and how this passage indicates that the assembly is for the purpose of 
"exhorting one another," Steve took issue with my limitation of this passage to men.  What he did 
not do was disagree that this "exhorting one another" is a type of instruction, teaching, and/or 
preaching.  Thayer's classification of this the Greek word translated "exhort" lends to the natural 
application of public speaking and instruction.  (Exhort - to address, to speak, to admonish, to 
exhort)Again, with Romans 15:14, Steve does not engage the issue of the brethren being capable 
of "admonishing one another."  Since instruction is part of the definition of "admonishment," I 
used this passage in support of the congregation instructing one another.  Rather than disagreeing 
with this, Steve again only mentioned the exclusion of women without rebutting the impact of the 
passage on how a congregation is to be instructed-mutually or by a single man.

Much was said in my first proposition about the impact I Corinthians 14 has on the subject of 
mutual edification/ministry versed the single man.  Steve said, "Even though the chapter regulates 
the practice of spiritual gifts, you argue that a principle is set forth.  What is this principle?"  In I 
Corinthians 14:3-5 Paul encourages all to exhort, edify, and comfort the congregation.  The 
principle is that all are to seek the ability to exhort, edify, and comfort the congregation.  The 
principle is further addressed in verse 29 when multiple individuals were commanded to speak.  I 
said previously, "while this particular verse certainly is meant to address the age of spiritual gifts, 
we must ask ourselves why it would not also apply to the age of natural gifts."  Does Steve believe 
that Holy Spirit inspired men were commanded to share instruction but uninspired men are not 
commanded to share instruction?

Two passages were mentioned by Steve to support his position that all men are not given the 
responsibility of instructing the congregation.  I Corinthians 12:28-30 where Steve says God 
appointed teachers in the body of Christ; yet, not all members of this body are teachers.  James 3:1 
where James states, "let not many of you become teachers, my brethren."  

There is a difference between the position of a teacher and the act of teaching.  To better explain 
this, consider the position and function of an evangelist.  There is the position of an evangelist 
held by relatively few of the Lord's body; yet, all members of the body are given the responsibility 
of evangelizing.  In other words, all evangelists must evangelize but not all who evangelize are 
evangelists.

This applies to the above passages.  The Greek word found in both places translated in the NKJV 
as "teachers" is translated all over the NT as "Master."  This indicates something much more than 
a person commenting on John 3:16 or giving the Lord's table talk.  These "teachers" appear to be 
separate from the rest of the congregation but this does not imply they were the only ones who 
taught.  For example, the older women are instructed in Titus 2:4 to "teach the young women."  
Does this mean these older women are now "teachers" or "masters" as intended in I Corinthians 
12:28-30 and James 3:1?  No.  A father has the responsibility to teach his children.  Does James 
3:1 apply to him?  No.  

Paul even chides his readers in Hebrews 5:12 when he says, "for though by this time you ought to 
be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God."  
There is an expectation we have to instruct others as we mature.

I made a statement in my first proposition which I wish to back up.  I stated, "It will do well to 
address a common argument made by those who oppose the proposition at hand:  Men may edify 
and exhort and admonish each other at times other than the public assembly.  While true, this 
skirts the natural intent of the passages.  Hebrews 10:25 is clearly applicable to the public 
assembly.  The passages in I Corinthians 14 are also specific to the public assembly.  Other verses 
which advocate mutual edification or mutual ministry or mutual admonition or mutual exhortation 
are written to congregations.  The very intent is to put these commands into practice as 
congregations.  When is the most natural time to admonish one another? During the public 
assembly of the congregation.  To state otherwise is to take these passages out of their natural 
context."

When we look back at history and examine the practices of the early Church, we can see their 
understanding of the commands to admonish one another, exhort one another, and edify one 
another.  Did they do this by a single individual instructing the congregation or did they do this by 
multiple men instructing the congregation?

Philip Schaff, in his History of the Christian Church writes, "In the apostolic church preaching and 
teaching were not confined to a particular class, but every convert could proclaim the gospel to 
unbelievers, and every Christian who had the gift could pray and teach and exhort in the 
congregation" (Volume 2, page 124). Evertt Harrison concurs by commenting, "it is reasonably 
clear from Scripture that the saints in general had some responsibility [for teaching]. (The 
Apostolic Church, page 160) A.H. Newman, author of Manual of Church History, writes, "The 
participation in worship was not confined to the official members, but to every male member it 
was permitted to utter his apprehension of truth" (page 141).

By denying the above proposition that all men are given the responsibility of publicly instructing 
the congregation we face contrary evidence from history.  The early church knew what Paul 
meant.  If we will not allow ourselves to come to the same know through the same scriptures, then 
history stands with its testimony of how the early church instructed themselves.  I will not make 
the above historical citations on par with the impact of scripture but I believe they help us 
understand scripture if confusion or disagreement exists.

Like Steve, much more can be said about this proposition but such will wait for a later time.  I 
look forward to his upcoming reply.  May God guide us in all things.

In Christ,
Jeremy