"Teacher[s] of Israel"
"Teacher[s] of Israel"
In John 3:10, our blessed and beloved Lord Jesus Christ honors Nicodemus, by referring to him as, "the teacher of Israel." At that exact time, at least, Nicodemus did not appear to be the best, nor the most enlightened of "the teacher[s] of Israel"--but nonetheless, he (presumably-rightly) held the position legally and appropriately.
There are still "teacher[s] of Israel" today, and all of them, without exception, are members of theologically-orthodox Christian church communions. Among these "teacher[s] of Israel," some of them are regenerate new creatures in Christ; and some of them are not. Even those who are not true Christians are in many cases able to teach scripturally-orthodox truth. The "teacher[s] of Israel" who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit are, by far and away, the preferred instructors in Christ's church.
These "teacher[s] of Israel" are ordained ministers; and their calling is (largely) to preach, teach, exhort, lead, guide, shepherd, and set the example for the flock (church) of Christ. Only those who know and love the Lord Jesus can do this (humanly-impossible) task adequately, and in the way that truly pleases God.
No man in his right mind "covets" this role. It is true, that the Apostle Paul gives allowance for those who "aspire" to be "overseers" (1 Tim. 3:1)--but all God-honoring "desire" of this sort submits itself to the most-scrupulous aspects of the Lord's call. Along this line, James is very cautionary with these words of Jas. 3:1: "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness," (ESV).
For my part (personally), I am of a nature that would rather have other men do this kind of work, so that I could slip into the background somewhere. . . . But the sovereign Lord had other plans for me, (and they did not include a retreat from the church's public ministry). Hence, like all my other fellow Christ-called pastoral colleagues, I am compelled to "preach," and "teach," and "exhort," (cf. 1 Tim. 4:13, for example).
Therefore, my encouragement to all of you who are among this "college" of Christ-ordained ministers, (and I speak to myself as well), is this: let us boldly and faithfully fulfill our callings; and comprehensively preach and teach our Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel of grace.
Nicodemus (referenced above) did the right thing, in coming to Jesus (even under the cover of darkness). Let us do the same as he. If Nicodemus ever learned (and experienced) our Messiah's gospel lesson of the need to be "born again" (Jn. 3:3), then he would have become a valuable and useful "teacher of Israel." If he failed to get the message--(which I do not personally think is the case)--then he would have fizzled-out with the Old Covenant; and his designation as a "teacher of Israel" would be of no eternal consequence.
The "Israel of God," the New Covenant church made up of Jews and Gentiles, needs her teachers. Someone has got to be vested with both the authority and the ability to convey Christ and the gospel benefits of the New Covenant to God's choice and elect churched lambs.
If it is not us, who would it be? Indeed, it is us. Even with "fear and trembling," let us confidently and courageously teach and lead Christ's church, God's true Israel, today.
Rev. Mark J. Henninger
Treatise #63
12 January 2026
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