Proposition: 
 The Scriptures teach that all or most of the public preaching and teaching of a congregation may 
be restricted to a single individual    

Once again, greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!  I continue to enjoy this discussion and pray 
that all, whether participants or observers, are drawing benefit.

There is much to discuss regarding the most recent affirmative but I wish to quickly cover on 
issue.  My position on mutual ministry is not the issue under debate with the above proposition.  
Steve spent a considerable amount of time trying to turn the topic of discussion from a restricted 
preacher/teacher to a topic outside the scope of the proposition he has agreed to affirm.

Regarding the affirmation, Steve speaks multiple times of a congregation's "teaching program."  I 
have no issue with congregations setting schedules or topics so that the members of the 
congregation can focus their weekly studies as long as they stay within the confines of the 
scriptures.  If these schedules use only a single man to preach sermons and teach class when others 
are present, especially other capable men, this is contrary to scripture.

Let us examine the scriptures to see the pattern and commands from God.  In Acts 2 Steve 
admitted that multiple teachers were at work instead of a single man.  This passage is used by 
Steve to support his position on a congregation's "teaching program."  However, the proposition is 
not about "teaching programs" but about restricting teaching and preaching to a single individual.  
Of the above proposition, Acts 2 offers no support.

Regarding the status of Antioch in Acts 11, Steve does his own spinning by assuming that only 
Barnabas taught.  I'll ask again, what about the teachers of Antioch who taught and preached 
before Barnabas' arrival? It was their teaching and preaching which brought souls to Christ. Steve 
believes that they simply sat down and kept quiet when Barnabas arrived because he said, "prior to 
Saul's arrival we have one teacher." Steve assumes without foundation that only Barnabas taught 
despite the presence of adequate teachers.  This is an assumption without proof and very likely in 
error.

Regarding Paul's stay at Ephesus for three years, we have no proof whatsoever that only Paul 
taught and preached during this period and all others remained silent.  Again, this situation does 
not prove the stated proposition.

Regarding Paul's preaching at Troas in Acts 20, Steve uses this passage to support his position on 
limiting congregation public preaching and teaching to a single individual because only Paul 
spoke.  Reasonable readers will understand this passage does not support his proposition because 
Paul only spoke one night before leaving.  If Paul stayed let's say, for six months and spoke every 
Lord's Day, then such a passage would support the proposition.  Alas, it does not and the 
proposition again does not find any scriptural support.  

What other passages do we find which detail the methods of instruction for the local 
congregation?  Let's examine Acts.  Acts 13 mentions multiple teachers and prophets at the 
congregation at Antioch.  Acts 14:23 finds Paul and Barnabas appointing a plurality of elders in all 
the congregations.  Remember that men must be capable teachers as a qualification of eldership 
prior to appointment.  In Acts 15:35 we have Paul and Barnabas "preaching and teaching the 
world of the Lord, with many others also."  In Acts 20 Paul calls the plurality of elders from 
Ephesus.  Outside of Acts we see Corinth possessed many prophets who were commanded to 
edify by "two or three" speaking "one by one" (I Corinthians 14:29-31).  In the Philippian letter, 
Paul greets a congregation with multiple elders.  Titus is commanded to appoint elders in every 
congregation therefore implying mean already preaching and teaching to the congregation.  

Steve asked where the scriptures state that the responsibility to instruct is given to all and therefore 
not transferable.  The Roman Christians were praised for their ability to "admonish one another".  
Romans 15:14.  The Colossian church was instructed to, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you 
richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom."  Colossians 3:16.  They were 
teaching and admonishing one another.  The readers of the Hebrew letter were asked to exhort one 
another during the assembly.  Previously in the same letter, we find an expectation to become 
teachers "for though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you."  
Hebrews 5:12.  In fact, when reading the description of "full age" Christians in verse 14, if a 
brother "who by reason of use has [his]senses exercised to discern both good and evil" is expected 
to be a teacher.

When a congregation has capable teachers present, the congregation is expected to use all of these 
men because the men have the responsibility of using their gifts and talents.  "As each one has 
received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  If 
anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.  If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the 
ability God supplies..." I Peter 
4:10-11.  

I'd like Steve to clarify his position on whether or not congregations have the right to restrict 
public preaching and teaching to a single individual regardless of size or ability.  Early in his 
previous affirmation he says, "and why not?"  However, later Steve says, "I deny no one the right 
to teach, or to preach, except those who ought not do so."  Which way is it brother?  Do you 
support congregations picking one of two capable men to do all of the public preaching and 
teaching or do you believe that all men qualified using your own standards have not just the 
privilege but the responsibility of public instruction?

There is no elevation on my part to elevate the sermon above teaching in classes despite Steve's 
attempts otherwise.  In fact, if we are to compare the two, more people have probably been 
brought to the gospel by teaching than by sermons and thorough and in-depth knowledge is better 
gained through teaching than by sermons.

Yet, Steve is the one who elevates the sermon above teaching classes.  He proposes a situation 
where 19 brothers actively teach outside of the worship assembly "from house to house" while 
only a single brother presents sermons.  I ask, what is so special about the pulpit that a 
congregation can restrict all men but one from standing behind it?  

Steve defends those congregations who tell capable and skilled men "You can teach others outside 
of the assembly but in the assembly only Brother so-and-so will teach and preach."  What is so 
important about the public assembly that a congregation can restrict the preaching and teaching to 
a single man, especially when other capable men are present? Why this glass ceiling?  We find no 
such glass ceiling in the scriptures yet such a ceiling exists in far too many congregations.  

Steve believes that the commands to edify, admonish, and exhort one another can be full-filled 
outside of the public assembly but not necessarily at the public assembly.  When is the optimal 
time to teach one another?  When we've gather together.  When is the optimal time to edify, 
admonish or exhort one another?  When we've gathered together as a congregation.  The above 
proposition, which Steve supports, states that congregations can restrict brothers from performing 
these responsibilities at the most natural time.  It's akin to saying, "You can sing to one another at 
home and on the street but when we come together we will only have a single person sing.  We 
can do this because we're only telling you to refrain from singing when together publicly instead 
of all the time.  This is our 'singing program.'"

Steve, do you support restricting all or most public singing at a congregation to solos, duets, or 
quartets?  

Steve takes issue with my belief that congregations who have only a single man doing the teaching 
and preaching, even when other capable men are present, do so based on pride or laziness.  There 
is a situation where this may not apply.  There are congregations who have used a single man to 
preach and teach for so long that they may not realize that not have such a practice is acceptable.  
However, for other situations, how can pride and or laziness be ruled out.

The reasons which have been given are numerous.  "The Preacher is more skillful than I am." This 
is laziness because it means you don't or won't strive to be better.  "The Preacher is the best 
preacher and teacher we have and we want others to see our best."  This is pride.  "I don't have 
enough time."  This is laziness.  "We pay him to do the preaching so we need to let him do his 
job."  This is laziness coupled with the belief we can "farm out" our responsibilities.  "I know 
quite a bit of the Bible but I simply can't teach or preach publicly."  What was that saying to 
Moses?  "Who made man's mouth."  This may not be laziness or pride but why do we think that 
God won't assist us when we preach and teach?

Why do I believe that many congregations which restrict public preaching and teaching to a single 
individual are crippled?  I believe such based on personal experience and also on the natural result 
of such a system. When preaching and teaching is understood and practiced to be a mutual 
responsibility the men do their responsibility and grow.  Boys see their fathers teach and preach 
and know that they too must do the same. Through experience they grow individually and 
collectively.  I've spoke to far too many brothers and sisters who have a single man doing the 
preaching and teaching of their congregation who are weak or know little of the meat of the Bible 
because only a single man is asked to present lessons and sermons.  Boys see preaching and 
teachings as a privilege belonging only to a few and therefore do not see any need to become 
teachers or preachers when they come to Christ.

Previously I expounded on the practices of my congregation so I would like Steve to please tell us 
the teaching program of his congregation. Do you have a Preacher?  How many men teach classes 
at your congregation during the public assembly?  How many men are being trained to be teachers 
and preachers?  Do all men who considered qualified to teach classes also asked to present 
sermons?  In a typical three month time period, what is the breakdown in who teaches classes and 
gives the sermons?  Does the preacher, if present, give all of those sermons? Finally, is there an 
active and visible effort to train the brothers to become public teachers and preachers and what is 
the progress of this training?

In Christ,
Jeremy