When Jesus had taught in the temple, the Jews were astonished at how He could teach, not having been “trained”; i.e., “uneducated”; “not knowing letters”. (John 7:14-15). When they heard Peter and John teach, they were astonished at the confidence with which they taught, being unlearned and ignorant men. “And then they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13). Any similarities in the teaching of Jesus with the teaching of Peter and John? What else would have made the Jews connect Peter and John as having been with Jesus?
Today, it is still true that teaching can connect one with Jesus. But it can also be proof that teaching is in error (false). The teachings of the Jews could not identify them with Moses because they did not teach what Moses taught, but taught traditions (Matt. 15:1-9).
The apostle Paul stated in 2 Thess. 2:15 – “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” Paul once taught things, that he later recognized as being in error (Gal. 1:14). But, when he began preaching “the faith which once he destroyed”, he was connected as having been with Jesus, for his teaching was no different from Jesus’ (1 Cor. 14:37). Today, teaching will either cause the preacher to be connected with Jesus’ teachings, or in error.
The responsibility is upon each person to compare what is taught today, with
what was taught by Jesus and the apostles. “Beloved, believe not every
spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false
prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1).
