1 John 2:26-27 says, "I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as [Christ's] anointing teaches you about all things, and as that anointing is true and is not a lie, just as it has taught you, remain in [Christ]."
Colin Kruse, in his commentary
The Letters of John (p. 111-12) deals with the following question: who or what guarantees correct belief among church members? "Is it the teaching authority of the bishops (so Irenaeus), or the inner illumination of individual believers by the Holy Spirit? Protestants and Catholics have been divided over this issue for centuries." Kruse cites three good answers to this question.
1. Inner instruction agrees with outer instruction.
"One resolution of the problem, the conclusion reached by Augustine of Hippo, is that there are both inner and outer forms of instruction. Outer instruction, given to all by the teachers of the church, is not enough. There must also be inner instruction, given by the anointing of Christ, the Holy Spirit, otherwise the external instruction will be understood only externally, and that is not enough."
2. Awareness of the truth unites the whole church.
"[Johann] Michl believes that such an approach is too subjective because it allows people to adopt whatever teaching impresses them. He argues rather that an awareness of the truth is given to the whole church, including those who hold the teaching office and the congregation of the faithful. These stand in an organic union and complement one another. The general faith consciousness of the members and the proclamation of the teachers, through the power and help of the Holy Spirit, lead to an infallible possession of the truth to which it bears witness without error."
3. The Holy Spirit confirms the Good News.
"Perhaps the question here is wrongly framed. As far as 1 John is concerned, the question is not between the Holy Spirit and the teachers of the church but between the Holy Spirit and the gospel message as it was heard from the beginning (2:24). The role of the Spirit is primarily as a testimony to the tradition, not as a source of new revelation. Admittedly the tradition is handed down by the witnesses, and to that extent the Holy Spirit confirms the testimony of (true) teachers."
Just think about what this means... although our pastors are there to teach us to abide in the truth, it is not their job to keep us in the faith... the Holy Spirit does it. And when we hear them preach something we've heard before, we don't just say, "I've heard it before," but we respond, "Yes! That's the same thing the Holy Spirit taught me! Let's do it."
