COUNCIL OF PROPHETS AND TEACHERS
"Now in the church (assembly) at Antioch there were prophets - inspired interpreters of the will and purpose of God - and teachers..." (Acts 13:1 Amp.)
The church in Antioch, in about the year 40 A.D., was a vibrant church. The believers were first called "Christians" here, indicating their Christ-likeness and their anointing of the Spirit's power. The grace of God was upon this group of believers in such a way that it produced a healthy church.
We are told that in this church there were prophets and teachers. There is also the suggestion of evangelists working in Antioch (Acts 11:19, 20). The Jerusalem apostles were involved in the affairs of this church (Acts 15:22,23). Even Peter made at least one personal visit (Gal 2:11). There must also have been a group of pastors working among the believers in Antioch.
"And He Himself gave some [to be] apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,..." (Eph 4:11).
These are not titles but descriptions of functions. That is, I am an evangelist only if I am called to that ministry AND if I do the work of an evangelist. A person is called a prophet if he actually moves in that function. These names describe something I do; not something I am. I am a Christian because of Jesus. That is the only title I can actually possess. I cannot own a title that every other believer in Christ cannot also claim.
A pastor is only a pastor if he pastors. The same could be said of all the "5-fold ministry". Someone is not an apostle because it says so on their business card. An apostle is one who is first called and who then answers; one who is sent by God and who actually GOES! Those who imagine they are great are exactly that: dreamers of greatness; nothing more.
What was the church in Antioch like? We really do not know much. Who were these prophets and teachers? They were called and gifted persons who obeyed God and who had learned to be SERVANTS. And in their humility they helped make the church in Antioch great in grace.
What did these men do at Antioch? First, we see that it is not a clique; not some elite, super-secret gathering of a few special men. These brothers in the Lord are here to work! They are serving God with the particular gifts they have been given. The other members of the Antioch church are not being "left out". They have all learned that that it is not good that "...many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment" (Ja 3:1 NKJV, written down much later). The other believers are busy serving God with their gifts so there is no time to compare or be jealous.
The next thing we see is that all of these brothers are serious worshippers. "...they ministered unto the Lord and fasted..." (Acts 13:2). Prayer and feasting is great but prayer with fasting indicates a dedication to the task. As they would gather together and first worship the Lord, the giftings within them would begin to operate. Jesus, the Teacher, would begin to move among them. Jesus, the Prophet, would speak and reveal things concerning the will of the Father and the matters of the local assembly (as well as national and international concerns).
The Four Dynamics
In a meeting of the prophets and teachers we have four different lines of relationships or communications operating:
1. Teacher - Teacher
2. Prophet - Prophet
3. Teacher - Prophet
4. Prophet - Teacher
In the first two lines of relationship, Prophet to Prophet and Teacher to Teacher, we can see a confirmation dynamic taking place. In the Scriptures the principle of multiple witnesses is brought forth. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established (2 Cor 13:1).
In the last two lines of relationship, the Prophets and the Teachers mixing their gifts, we see a complimentary dynamic. The Spirit and the Word are one (I John 5:7). One without the other is not complete. In the Old Testament both the Law and the Prophets bore witness to Christ (John 1:45)
. Both Moses and Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration speaking with Jesus (Matt 17:3). When the teacher receives from the prophet it can add life to the potential dryness of the teaching. When the prophet receives from the teacher it tends to add depth to the shallowness which can be there.
1, 2, and 3 Legged Dogs
Have you ever seen a three-legged dog? In the small town where I grew up there was a large Black Lab that had lost one hind leg. He would get around pretty well but his gait was not as smooth as with a four-legged dog.
Have you ever seen a two-legged dog? Our German Shepherd spent a night at the vet's clinic to get spayed. When I went to get her the next day she tried to get up and come to me but the medication was still working. Her two hind legs were completely paralyzed. With only the front two legs working she was a pitiful sight.
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog? Well, I haven't but I've seen something as ridiculous: A church body that only had one member functioning! It is as sad as a one-legged dog. Yet this is the model held up for us today as the ideal. (A ministry, of course, has only one person or one team working. I am speaking about a church body here.)
We could go on to deal with the fact that this council of the prophet and teachers was "...in the church..." (Acts 13:1). There was a relationship with the pastoral function as well. However, the purpose of this article is mainly to present the idea of a Council of Prophets and Teachers.
Ideally, the prophets and teachers in any given city or location could meet together for worship, intercession, and to serve the Kingdom of God by working with the precious Holy Spirit and by using His giftings. Actually, what I have described here is "...The Church, which is His Body..." (Eph 1:22,23). But God's ministers are the ones who will have to humble themselves and submit to one another before the rest of the people will come to be a healthy body. If that has not been your experience yet, I encourage you to seek out others with a similar vision.
David E. Stewart
Last Update:Jan. 13, 1998
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