Who is Your Teacher?

There are many organizational structures claiming to embody the true church; yet the Scriptures reveal only two specific representative groups on earth. One of these two groups is called, "The Synagogue of Satan." The second group is recognized as, "The saints who obey God's commandments and have the faith of (or in) Jesus." See Rev. 2:8-13, 3:7-13 and 14:12

God's plan was that everyone personally hear the voice of God. The people's plan required God to initiate a complicated system of laws, rituals, and a human priesthood.

What is God's chosen method for imparting truth?

1 John 2:26,27 "These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him."

James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, without finding fault; and it shall be given him."

Acts 2:17 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams."

God desired to speak to the people directly. See Ex:19:9 But the people were afraid for God to speak to them. Ex 20:18-21

Having rejected direct communion with God the people remained at a distance and looked for a human intermediary to impart moral direction. But the introduction of a human system to bring about the proper spiritual condition was useless to prevent sinning.

The Creator had offered to every member of the Israelite community the moral benefits of personal communion with God. But this invaluable blessing was rejected by the congregation. In order to preserve some contact with Divinity, the Lord instituted the Levitical priesthood. This priesthood was abolished as ineffective after Christ, through His death, resurrection and ascension, re-established direct teaching through the Holy Spirit.

Where did the people turn when Moses was gone for so long? Ex. 32:1 (Back to the Egyptian pattern of leadership.)


Individuals and groups demonstrate their rejection of direct communion with God by trusting humanity to authenticate truth. Read the tragic story in Exodus, chapter 32. The molding of the "Golden Calf" represents man's efforts to fulfill his responsibilities to God through commitment to a human structure.

Let the Lord summarize for Himself the flaw in the old covenant. In the book of Hebrews, the question is posed: See Hebrews 8:7 "For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." And what is the second or new covenant? Is it abolishing the first covenant (the law)? No, it is putting the law into the hearts and minds of the people. Hebrews 8:10 "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts."

The people did not want to be challenged by direct contact with God, but they feigned allegiance by agreeing to submit to a human leader. But the Lord recognized that their words did not reflect the condition of their hearts. They were a people who drew near with their lips while in spirit they remained at a distance. See Deut 5:25,27-29.

The plan of the people rejected the Divine concept of direct teaching. The people opted instead to place their trust in a human agency and to make that agency responsible for their enlightment. Because of this arrangement the people did not experience the fear of God, and ALL but two of them, Caleb and Joshua, failed to reach the promised land.

How did such a concept of a superior humanity originate? What series of human initiatives set in motion the theory that the congregation is a mob knowing nothing? Where was it first established that spiritual perception was an innately possessed quality of those appointed by human decree? Matt 21:23 "And when He was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto Him as He was teaching, and said, By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you this authority?"

It was the fallacious arrangement of the old covenant that led to Jesus being rejected as the Messiah. The Pharisees, "sitting in Moses' seat," directed the people to refuse the Light that had come down from heaven. The "leaven" of the Pharisees had distorted truth and made it error; yet the people still accepted their words as the very commands of God!

That same "old covenant" is practiced today, and there is no lack of those who covet "to sit in Moses' seat." People still commit their spiritual direction to human channels, and man-made authority is obeyed as the voice of God. In this age, human position and structure are honored as surely as the "Golden Calf." After bowing in respect to human councils, the people feel at liberty "to give themselves to revelry."

See: Matt 23:1,2, and 5-14. John 7:47-49


How do we find God? Jer 29:13


How do we receive strikingly new revelations? Jer 33:3


How can we know that we are not being misled? John 7:17


Why don't the greatest geniuses in the world believe in the Bible? 1 Cor 2:14


How can we be wise enough not to be misled? James 1:5

How should we study the Bible?

Isa 28:10,13

2 Tim 2:15

Acts 17:11


How do we develop faith? Romans 10:17


Does our salvation come through the impressions from the Holy Spirit or through the study of the Scriptures? 2 Tim 3:15

Let the Bible student be very careful to consider that there were two systems of judgement and authority that were apparent at Mt. Sinai. One system is traced back to ancient Egypt, while the other is willed by the Creator of heaven and earth. One system depends upon the superiority of human leaders; but the other trusts in the power of God to impart wisdom to every person. Acts 7:39-43.

Israel asked for things that were NOT in their best interest. These requests were accommodated even though they were in conflict with God's ideal. Why would the Lord "give them over" to their own council when He knew those very things would prove to be useless and harmful?

The things that they preferred were concepts that had their origin in ancient Egypt. The people asked for a human king even though God had already promised to be their King. They also rejected direct communication with God, because in Egypt all contact with the gods was through a human priesthood.

God wants to lead us personally. He will teach us directly if we will only let Him.

The wisdom of man is foolishness with God. 1 Corinthians 3:19

Put not your trust in princes nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goes forth, and he returns to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Psalm 146:3,4

1) Who should you trust? Ps 146:3,4


2) Do we need a human teacher? 1 John 2:26,27


3) Will the preachers teach our sons? Isa. 54:10, 13


4) Who is our teacher? John 6:45


5) What did Jesus say about learning from the greatest scholars of the time? Matt 23:1,2, and 5-14


6) Paul, who is designated in the Bible as the "worst of sinners" tells us who approved his teachings. Gal 1:15, 17, 20


"God is dishonored and the gospel is betrayed when His servants depend n the counsel of men who are not under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Worldly wisdom is foolishness with God. Those who rely upon it will surely err."

Desire of Ages, p. 354

© Lorraine Day, M.D. 2006. All Rights Reserved.
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