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because He told them to teach what he had said (Matthew 28:20; John 15:27). Paul took his instructions from Christ in heaven (Acts 26:12-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23) All that we accept comes from Christ in one way or another. If a person professes to get his teaching from Christ let him demonstrate the signs of an apostle to us (2 Corinthians 12:12). God gave testimony to Christ Himself “by works of power and wonders and signs” (Acts 2:22). It was said of Jesus: “Will the Christ, when he comes, do more signs than those which this [man] has done ?” (John 7:31). If we accept Christ we accept God: “By him do (we) believe on God” (1 Peter 1:21).

In some places Christ is spoken of as a preacher (a herald) rather than a teacher. In Mark 1:14 we have: “Jesus came into Galilee preaching the glad tidings of the kingdom of God”. Preaching and teaching in practice may overlap somewhat, but there is a difference. Preaching is rather proclaiming news, in this case good news or, as we may say, glad tidings. Preaching usually calls for a response on the part of the hearers, so that Christ’s preaching included the words: “Repent and believe in the glad tidings” (Mark 1:15).

Teaching is instructing and, although it includes giving information, it also contains that which would show us how we are to live. As Christ said in Matthew 28:20 “ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have enjoined you”. Paul could say to Timothy “Enjoin and teach these things” (1 Timothy 4:11), and again: “Give heed to thyself and to the teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16). These passages as well as many others show that teaching is important. In a way there is nothing new in this. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes said that he taught the people (Ecclesiastes 12:9/10). Proverbs contains a lot of teaching and instruction - see for instance chapter 1 verse 8. Doctrine is important and is usually what is taught, rather than the act of teaching.

Christ taught, but teaching implies that there are those who are taught. Those that were taught were called disciples (taught or trained ones). In order that persons might become disciples it was necessary first that the gospel should be preached to them. The preaching preceded the teaching as we find in the gospels. John the Baptist’s ministry and Christ’s earlier ministry was more a preaching one than Christ’s later

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