AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH
A very important question that should be asked by all believers is,
“what authority do elders or anyone in the body have, and how are they to function in the body?”
So much is said today about the authority of ministers. It is seldom even questioned if those who are in “authority over us”, are actually in Gods authority the way he shows it to us. But much of the understanding of authority and the so called “coverings” of ministers over others is misunderstood and false and not in God’s order.
This whole issue of authority has been a major struggle for believers throughout history. We can easily look back at the times of Jesus and see the Pharisaical groups pressing their authority and traditions of men over men against the word of God and of the reformers standing against the false authority of the Catholic Church and the entire religious order of man that was forced upon men, where none could speak or question such distorted authority. We even see the false authority that was set up in Protestant churches. This issue has been perhaps one of the main areas of struggle against God’s order in the body ministry over the centuries.
But even today this issue of authority is still a great concern. Men’s authority can and does often fight against God’s authority.
The authority that men set for themselves today is often a "
positional authority" over others and as Lords over the other believers where the authority is in man's persons and greatness over others with their learning and natural ability often. While this authority is allowed within political governments and rulers and kings have such authority to govern nations and as long as they are not a terror to good works etc (
Romans 12) . This authority however, is not the same in the church and among the gathering of believers .
Sadly however, many today have similar authority as the worlds rulers have in their positional authority in many assemblies today and they rule the same way among the believers. Usually this one ruler has a man made title and is called “the Pastor” or the unbiblical title “Reverend”, and they go by many different titles. Their position and function in this is not in the authority of God in the Church .
Yes, there are pastor gifts as well as other gifts as we have seen (Ephesians4:11) but theses gifts are not titles and there is not to be one man over the gatherings as the pastor. Today men take such flattering titles and some call themselves "masters of divinity".No man is called by a title in the a new Testament . And only Gods is referred to as reverend as we read ,
“He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” (Psalms 111:9)
How can men take such titles in the body of Christ that clearly only belong to God?
Jesus spoke against much of the authority that we see today when dealing with the apostles arguing who is the greatest among them and as some jostled for position
Matthew 20:21. When seeing thus kind of arguing Jesus was moved with indignation against them and said,
“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:”( Matthew 20: 25-27)
"42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:" Mark 10:42,43
What Jesus spoke here was a very different understanding of authority to the worlds understanding. He first defines the worlds authority of princes over men and those who are great among them . He says they exercise two things,, DOMINION over them and AUTHORITY over them. The word “dominion” means, “Κατακυριεύουσιν” means “to lord it over - significant of an absolute and oppressive domination. And the word authority is “κατεξουσιάξουσιν”, which means, to use authority harshly and severely
Jesus also uses the word " to rule over". This word means in Greek, "to be first (in political rank), reign. These false rulers are FIRST and in a political sense, positionally in the world. But this is not the new Testament rule for believers. They are to be in the new creation and walk in that rule, under Christ headship and leading (
Ephesians 4:15,16). The word of God is their authority.
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them,"Galatians 6:15,16)
So the
"rule" is to live from the new creature in the new creation. Peter said also,
"neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." 1 Peter 5
The word "lords" has the meaning of controling subjugate and Lord against. This is what we see in many places this absolute control over the flock. This control is as the Gentile authority. And it should not be done this way. Overseer elders should be examples to others in word and deed. That speaks more than a dictator who dishes out orders and control over others.
This Lording over others in an absolute oppressive way where all are under this kind of authority is not to be so in the church . Jesus clearly says ,
“But it shall not be so among you: “. But this kind if authority is seen everywhere today where all are subject to the ones who are great among them and the authority is in their persons or positions. Paul also warned against this kind if false authority and that men would draw away others after themselves,
(Acts20:30). And John also warned of this as we has shown, (1 John 3:26) .
But what kind of authority does Jesus define for the church? the authority of the church is founded upon
Christ and derived from Him and his word, it is worked in humility and love, not in an oppressive dominance of men's persons, as Lords over others or in the natural human wisdom and personality cults. On the contrary, Jesus says, that the one who will be great among them should be as MINISTERS and SERVANTS.
A servant does not have authority in the world. But in Gods order this is where they find it. The true authority of God comes when we live in the word of God and speak the word of God. This authority is from God and not of ourselves. We are only able to walk in Gods authority when we are dead to self and let Christ effectually work in us and as we walk in the word of God and His leading. This is how we see the true service and ministry in the light and Spirit of God. And as we read in scripture, It is God that will
“Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ;”(Hebrews 13:21).
Any man who walks outside of God working in himself does not have Gods authority or Gods order.
Jesus directly turns the world upside down with this teaching and we find this understanding all through the New Testament. John said similar things when he said that believers have no need that any man should teach them (
1 John 2:26??. )It is God that teaches through the anointing in Christ and in the word. To day that believers have no need for any MAN yo teach us is the heart of the matter. It is not men's natural wisdom and persons that we are to hear but Gods word, His anointing that we must abide in. We don't know man after the flesh anymore as Paul said, and we crucify the flesh and the old man. We are to live in the new man. And when Christ as the head works in all believers His anointing teaches us all things, even if that anointing uses a believer to speak, we listen for the authority of Gods word in our heart by a manifestation of the truth ( 2 Cor 4).To speak forth from this anointing is to speak from God’s leading and according to his word,this the only real authority among us
This is clearly the only authority we we are to walk in in the body of Christ, because imagine a man who calls himself a reverend pastor or the leader of the church , and who has preeminence in a meeting, and then he says things that are false or lies and he speaks from his natural mind what he knows naturally in the flesh. Are all believers just suppose to listen to him and obey? Are we suppose to go contrary to the word of God and our conscience just because he says he is the authority? No, this authority of men is not Gods authority and it is not grounded in the word and it has no inner witness to believers. Yet how many people are under such men who exhalt themselves and go contrary to the word of God and who have this positional authority that gives them dominance over the rest if the body and quenches the spirit in others who would speak a word of correction or instruction? Remember Paul taught the believers to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly and from this leading to teach and admonish one another (
Colossians 3:16) he did not say let the pastor only have authority in his person and he alone can speak. Yet this is exactly what we see happening today and the roots if this was strongest during the dark ages during the Middle Ages where a strong clergy laity (so called) was set up over all and where for a long time no man could speak or minister except the priest reverend, the pastor etc. and supreme authority was in a man called the pope.
In the time of Constantine who wanted to make Christianity a more prominent belief . He immitated the pagan religions in some things and build large refurbished temple type structures unbiblically called churches. Then he had priest or ministers, who later were known as the clergy set up over others. The body was then silenced under such men. this was very similar to the pagan religious leaders. We even see Gods people wanting to be like the pagan nations and have a man rule over them with Saul. But when they did this God said they stopped wanting God to rule over them. God was ruling over them by his word and they wanted a king instead. This is what we see today . many want a king or one man pastor ministry over them, and Gods anointing ( the word of God sown in them) in rejected as the only teacher and rule we live in. This creates a false authority in men's persona over the body and it is exactly similar to the gentile rule and authority that Jesus warned against.
This problem of authority was a similar problem that Jesus , had with the Pharisees, and the apostles also after his death. . The religious leaders pressed their authority over Gods and tried to stop Jesus and the apostles them from living and speaking in the word of God. Even the early reformers who stood against the Roman Catholic Church met with such false authority. Such men were against the word of God and did not want to hear the word correct them. They loved their rule over men and their high places being exalted and they loved to be called of men in their high titles and positions. Jesus warned of this also, be not called rabbi, or master.
In church History we also see such a conflict with the religious leaders of the day many times in the reformation days as well as later. Who can forget reformers saying things like,
“Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.” (Martin Luthers address at Diet Worms on April 2, 1521)
This was an issue of those times as it is similar today, in fact this has always been an issue. I am not quoting Luther here to justify all he said, for there are many issues with Luther and various reformers that may not be agreed upon. But the principle here was a driving issue for the reformers.
But if a believer speaks the word of God and according to Holy scripture (which were given by the same Spirit in every believer), and if they live in that word and their faith follows , then they have authority.
To put it simply, imagine this scene. A Pope is sitting in his chair of authority in a long robe and with a crown , and he has a castle like structure around him, with high ceilings and gold and precious stones, and many men around him in lower positions. Then a baby Christian walks in and the Pope says something not according to the Holy scriptures and the baby Christian reads a scripture that corrects him. The baby christian has more authority than the Pope in that. The Baby Christians authority is the word of God, the Popes is his position and political reigning and person.
Paul directed the elders of Ephesus to this same leading and authority that he was in, when after having warned them of being drawn after men’s persons and how men would rise up from among them to draw away disciples after themselves, he commended them to God and the word of his grace that is able to build them up. This “
word of His grace” is where the power and life and where authority comes.
“ I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up” Acts 20:32)
We see more about this word of God”s grace or this word of authority when Jesus taught, this again shows where’s he authority is, giving us an example . It was said ,
“For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. “(Matthew 7:29)
It was Jesus word as he taught that had the weight of authority not in the positional political authority as the scribes. Here we see the two different authorities and their spheres of influence. One teaches the heart and the other is set up over men in the world.The Pharisees were in a positional authority as the religious leaders. But Jesus spoke as one having authority in his teaching. This is because the word of God is the authority. Jesus authority was not like theirs. Yet today how many are in a positional authority as the scribes and pharisees were over others?
Even those in the who were in positional authority over others in the world. When hearing this word of authority from Jesus could recognize it if they had faith as we see with the Roman Centurion,
“The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” Matthew 8:8-10)
Here we see that it was Jesus word that carried the authority and even the Roman Centurion knew this. The centurion was not appealing to Jesus earthly authority as a king or political leader but to his authority in His word spoken.This is the same authority we have in Christ today.
But, Jesus, as his followers today, are often challenged in this authority,
“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 doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? “
Jesus was not recognized in the positional authority as the priest or Pharisees, or in a political sense of authority. Jesus was not a earthly king as they understood, not one of the Pharisees or priest. They did not understand his authority but when he spoke no man spoke as he did and his teaching was with power and authority.
Some today put more stress on the visible political , positional authority as the Gentile authority was then. They do not see the divine authority that men speak in as they abide in Christ . All believers can have this authority .
We see it n the apostles were also questioned in this authority,
“And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them”(Acts 4:7, 8)
The leaders and priest did not recognize their authority or in what name they spoke. But when Peter answered he spoke in that authority and was “filled with the Holy Ghost” he was not speaking the word of men, but as it is in truth , the word if God that effectually works in those that believe.
The authority we have in Christ is also as we live in the word and speak the word of God.
To be in Christ and in his name we have the authority, as Jesus did to cast out devils ,
“ for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. “
Jesus also sent his disciples out and gave them power to cast out devils, before the cross (Matthew 10) .To do so men have to be in His name, and this is more than a formula of words. To speak things be in his name or to do things “on His name”, means to be in the character qualities and attributes of Christ and to have his life in us. Without this life and power in Christ we can do nothing (John 15), this is our authority.
We see some men trying to cast out devils in Jesus name whom Paul preached and the devils jumped all over them . They were using a formula of words but not themselves in the name of Jesus or his authority in their hearts .
“Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded”(Acts 19:13-16)
But those believers who are “in Christ” are on his name also, or in the character of Christ as new creations they have the power to cast out devils”
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils” (Mark 16:17)
And Jesus said at one time,
“..., he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out” Matthew 10:1)
This word “power here can also imply authority , privilege,right strength, force.
The reason that believers can go forth in the Lord and His word with authority is because Jesus has all power and authority and this power in him is given to those who believe. And when we believe we have his life and can live and speak the word of God. Believers are to let that word of Christ dwell in them richly. This is far different from men’s authority. Even if a man was a king over a country and was not in the authority, or power of the Lord he could not cast out a devil. Devils dont care if your an earthly king, but if you are in the name of Jesus and in his life and power and word, then we can do all things.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18)
Jesus has ALL power ( authority) over all heaven and earth. Where is mans authority in this and without being in Gods word there is no authority in the church
In the book of Hebrews we see the authority referred to again although many wrongly understand this section . It says,
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (Hebrews 13:7)
Here we see that Christians are told to “remember” such people or to “be mindful” of such men. The reason to do this is because they have spoken “the word of God” and their faith follow. As we saw already, we know that it is the word of God’s grace that is able to build them up. They will speak the word and are an example in their walk. This is how believers are to be mindful if them.
We also read that they (plural elders) have the “rule” over them. These men would no doubt be referring to the elders/overseers who watch and care for them who are more mature brothers who speak and live in the word more soundly and settled. But this “rule“ is by the word of God as the writer said. Not because they are like the “Gentile authorities” in some positional authority or "rule" over others. This rule is not mans rule or natural understanding , it is a spiritual direction in Christ These two "rules" the gentile rule and how elders rule, are different.
Jesus Christ has called all believers to know or recognize (ordain) elders among believers who live and move in this word. This "rule" of elders is only as they speak and follow in the word of God and live in and from the new creation. men who do not speak and follow Christ in the word do not have this rule spoken of here and their word is not the word of God’s authority. As Paul also said to follow him as he followed Christ.
We read more of the “rule” for all believers when Paul said.
“ 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. ...18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. “ (Gelatins 6:14-16,18)
Here Paul silences any glory of men in their flesh weather works they do it we can extend this to natural rule or authority over others. All men can only glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ and without Jesus we can do nothing (
John 15)
When we are dead to self we can walk in the “rule” of Christ in us. There is no self glory, or exalting of ourself, or dominating or controling others under our authority.. Paul said, that nothing else is important except being a new creation in Christ. This living from the new creation is the rule if our faith and practice and God’s order in our lives .Paul ends this thought with a prayer that the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ would be with their spirit. Showing again that this is a spiritual rule. Yes, the spiritual rule extends and affects our lives as we live in earth. But the source and center of that rule, authority, and order is in Christ spiritually. This is how we have the peace of God ruling in our hearts also as Paul said here and in other places,
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. “ (Colossians 3:15)
Here we see where the rule is and the peace , it is of God’s rule and order in our hearts. This is not mans rule or natural rule as a king over a nation like the gentiles ruled.
The peace of God is not as the worlds peace. Men can set up their own outward order and it may seem peaceful bit the true "rule of God’s peace is in our hearts" as we are living in Christ all our lives flow from this and our authority in the word as well. Jesus said,
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. “ (John 14:27)
This peace affects our hearts. This not like the worlds peace. The world can only have
rulers who act as Lords over others in the natural realm and in their authority. These men become like Lords over others forcing them to submit and controling them. But the peace of God that RULES is in our hearts, and God is in control of all things as we abide in him and walk with him.
Believers live in the kingdom of God and he is the king of that kingdom. No natural man rules over that kingdom. Only the God-man Jesus Christ
Gods rule is what we walk in as we are led by the Spirit.
“Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:16-20)
Paul mentions walking according to the “rule” again. That "rule is related to having the same mind, this mind we have us the “mind of Christ” (
1 Corinthians 2) .But as Paul said, those who don’t walk on this rule mind earthly things. They also glory in these things and to their Shane. How many today have their own programs and order and exalt themselves over others and make a name for themselves seeking to bring glory to them and their religious systems?
Paul also says that those who are enemies of this “rule” are those who are enemies of the cross. As I already mentioned, the only way to see the word working in us and this anointing of the life of Christ manifest in our lives and gatherings is when we are crucified with Christ. Paul echos this understanding in many places.
Paul was so certain if this grace and rule in his life that he said for others to follow him and he follows Christ and he told them to mark or take note if those who walk the sane and who reflect in their life example the life of God as they are led by the Spirit. And as Paul said “our conversation is in heaven”. And believers live in Gods kingdom within, from where all order and rule begins and from where the authority flows .
In the same chapter of
Hebrews 13 we read,
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls,” (Hebrews 13:17)
Notice first if all that there is a plurality of persons spoken here, and not just one man, certainly not one man called “the pastor or reverend”. But believers are told to “obey “ them. This word “obey” is not the same word used for children obeying their parents. This word means “
allow yourself to be persuaded". The reason believers should allow themselves to be persuaded is because these men have “spoken the word of God and their faith follow”. They are to let the word of God persuade them and quicken them.And as they walk in the word and show forth the example they show their faith by their works. This is to let God work and lead them.
We also see another word that is used differently here than it is in other places in the New Testament and that word is “submit”. This word is not the same word as wives submit to your husbands, but rather it means “
to yield as in combatants” . Believers are to allow themselves to be persuaded by the word of God that mature brothers speak and to yield to this. Not following their own ways and fighting against Gods word. In fact all believers are to submit to one another in this as well because anything can be revealed to another from God (
1 Corinthians 14).
In the same chapter 13 of Hebrews we read a telling verse that again pulls all this obedience to the word and submission. This verse below shows who the real ruleris and where this authority comes from,
“Now the God of peace,...Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. “ (Hebrews 13:20, 21)
The God of peace alone can make us perfect in EVERY good work. This shows were all our good works our words and utterance come from and where the true authority and rule come from. And as this scripture says God is WORKING in us as we live in the spirit.
Everything we do comes from the spirit. We must worship God in Spirit and in truth. Jesus shows that it is His word that gives life,
“ the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63)
Again it is the word if God that has power and authority. Not men’s words in the church or men’s authority. Espescially if they speak contrary to the Holy scriptures.
Paul commended the Jews for searching the scriptures if what he said was true of not. He was willing to have his life and words and ministry examined by the authority of God, the Holy scriptures.
and if all believers abide in this word and walk in it, that is where authority comes from.
Elders who use the word rightly and are skilful in the word of righteousness, will have the authority of Gods word to use and have weight. babes are unskillful in the word of righteousness. In titus we read that overseers are able by sound doctrine to exhort and convince the gainsayer. They do not just bark out their authority and say things like,"I am the overseer listen to me, and its my house stop etc. No they persuade, convince, exhort and all in and by the word. They hold fast the faith full word that they have been taught and this is how they exhort the gainsayers.
may it be so in every place today as well.
"...holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not..." Titus 1:9-11)
Amen
