When people gather together in a worship building, they are willingly submitting to the authority of the leaders/organizers that run that place of worship.
So in line with that, they are submitting to the preaching that is offered. In that context, the preacher is using his knowledge and his motives to shape what the people believe. Regardless if they agree with everything, the participants are still submitting (to an extent) to the authority granted to that preacher.
That is not "authority." That's just "expounding the gospel."
The authorities of the congregation are the "elders" (Greek: presbuteros). They are the ones who have met the scriptural standards for being trusted authority in the congregation. NOBODY else is in authority. A congregation may call them different things--one denomination may call them "deacons," another may call them "elders," another may call them "trustees"--but those are the only persons who have authority. Authority and accountability go hand-in-hand in scripture. What a person has authority over, he also has accountability for. The elders who have authority over members are also accountable to the Lord for their well-being.
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. -- Hebrews 13
The person they invited to speak for a Sunday has zero authority and zero accountability in the congregation. He can't even say anything the real authorities--the congregational elders--don't approve of. What he says is by their approval and bidding. The guest speaker is under their authority.
Upvote
0