Can Believers Teach Other Believers?
Just for your thoughts.
Can Believers Teach Other Believers?
Whether a believer can teach the Scriptures
Acts 18:1–5, 24–28 clearly shows that believers can correct and guide those who are confused in doctrine.
The best example of this is Aquila and Priscilla.
Apollos was a native of Alexandria, mighty in the Scriptures and fervent in spirit.
What he taught was not false or untrue. However, he knew only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25).
When Aquila and Priscilla heard him preach, they did not publicly humiliate him; instead, they took him aside privately and explained the way of God more accurately to him (Acts 18:26).
Those who corrected him were not apostles, not church elders, and not prophets.
They were ordinary believers who carried on their trade while serving in ministry. They were:
Co-workers and supporters of Paul (Romans 16:3–4)
Those who hosted a church in their home (1 Corinthians 16:19)
Helpers of Paul in the ministry at Ephesus
Because they acted with spiritual discernment, Apollos became a very powerful servant of God in Achaia.
The key lesson we learn from this is: believers can teach other believers. There is no biblical mandate that says, “Only the church pastor must teach.” At the same time, pastors do have the responsibility to equip believers for ministry (Ephesians 4:11–12).
Through regular Scripture reading, foundational Christian truths, and interpretations that remain under the authority of Scripture, a believer can grow in the Word of God.
With these qualifications, any believer who has received the grace to teach can, on the basis of Scripture, lead those who are confused into the truth.
Church pastors should not fear this but rather encourage it.
Restricting believers and not allowing them to grow is not true shepherding. The true shepherd is the one who enables growth.