Authority in the Church

Christ did not specify any sort of chain of command which the Church must adhere to. We learn about various functions in the body; apostles, evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc. but these distinctions are about function, not rank. Why does Christ leave us hanging like this?

Possibly because He expects us to submit ourselves to one another and work together for the common good. Or, that He reserves to Himself the right to institute the type of structure that best fits the changing situations we find ourselves in over time. Or, both?

But, the question of whether or not Christ has established authority within the Church is not subject to question.

Our purpose today is to review what we know, and what is clear from scripture about authority within the Church of God. Again, I ask you to consider and pray about these matters in light of the coming change in congregational leadership that is coming your way.

Is there a bilical  precedent for having something like a home office, or ministerial services, overseers on the payroll versus local ministry who serve with no compensation but the love they share with you.... the answer is YES.

Peter, Paul, John and the other founding members of Gods new covenant Church clearly led, instructed, and admonished other elders. All the while viewing themselves as "fellow elders"

1 Peter 5:1-5 addressed the other elders and gave them marching orders

Acts 20:17-38 calls them into a meeting to discuss matters: transition, how to conduct themself moving forward, etc. Paul is clearly incharge and telling others what to do.

3 John 9 this local leader does not acknowledge our authority, and John says I am coming to deal with him.

The first Church council of Acts 15 sees the leaders of the Church grappling with doctrinal interpretation. A team effort but some voices having authority to conduct the meeting and hammer out a decision.

Minister who go astray are subject to rebuke by other members of the ministry Galatians 2:11.

UCG also has some who oversee the ministry. We do this based on observing the example of the early church rather than on a scripturally revealed command structure. Note: so many of the evangelical churches you see out there (popping up and dying off like wildflowers) have abandoned this model of governance. Their local pastors acting as an authority unto themselves (or perhaps beholden to the congregation). We don't see that as the observable biblical model.

We see and teach authority and government within every level of life: marriage, the family, in the nation, in the spirit realm, in the coming kingdom of God... to then deny or question  if authority should exist in the Church (and congregation) is illogical.

To picture the Church as a free-flowing love-fest of good vibes and unchecked freedom is not only completely different from the biblical witness... its a recipe for dissention, infighting... as we are currently witnessing in our nation at large.

Acts 4:37 the kumbayah vision of the Church often cites this scripture. But notice, even here; they brough everything to the apostles and laid it before their feet... they must have believed the apostles could... and SHOULD... have responsibility for overseeing the distributions. But then we see that church evolved (and that evolution is recorded in the new testament).

Acts 6:1-3 As the community grew beyond the apostles capacity to personally manage everything the 12 gave the Church criteria for developing local leadership. This starts the ball rolling.

We see further development especially in the letters of Paul... up to the point where we find detailed information about appointing overseers, elders, and deacons in the churches of Greece.

Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24 the bible does not shy away from discussing the authority of those who served in the local congregations, and the attitude members themselves ought to have about not just godly authority... but the very idea of authority itself.

1 Corinthians 4:17 Church leadership makes important manpower decisions. You will find similar statements about stationing men like Titus, Silas, Mark and others.

1 Corinthians 5:4-5, 13 the Church leadership makes gatekeeper decisions. Who is welcome to attend, who is not. 2 Corinthians 2:8-9 then the ministry would have to make an assessment of a person's spiritual state of repentance and willingness to conform to the pattern of thought and behavior expected by Christ.

This authority to assess people's spiritual state is also important in the matter of administering the laying on of hands after baptism for the receipt of the holy spirit. That is an authority function Acts 8:16-20.

1 Corinthians 16:1 ministerial authority provides oversight and guidance on financial considerations in the local congregation. This would apply to other areas such as dispensing financial aid. Funds dedicated to this purpose or that.

1 Corinthians 16:15-16 ministerial authority backs up and supports the local elders (and deacons) in matters which are delegated to them.

1 Corinthians 4:18, 21 when members became puffed up against Paul he reminded them of his authority over them. Note: to say that Paul (and the ministry as a whole) wielded authority does not mean that he treated people first and foremost with the rod. That manifestation of authority is only for someone who persisted in causing problems. The "rod" mostly amounts to what I have previously called gatekeeping.

Paul understood that his authority was real because it came directly from Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:6, 4:8 his own authority is from Christ... 5:12-13 those whom Paul delegated authority to were also doing so "in the Lord".

2 Thessalonians 3:6 gatekeeping is not done at the whim of the overseer, it is of Christ

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 decisions about dispensation of aid (to assist, or not assist) are of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon 1:8-9 his personal dealings with members

Was Paul harsh and authoritarian... what was his perspective on the authority he wielded?

The other apostles also wrote about the authority they had (remember what we read from 3 John). But Paul is the main apostle Christ used to record examples of Church life for us. Including Church authority.

Some say that in contrast to Paul we should look to Jesus who said things like "do not let anyone called rabbi (teacher), for One is teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brethren... do not call anyone on earth your father, for One is Father, He who is in heaven"... leading some to believe that Jesus himself is opposed to human authority.

Does Jesus contradict Ephesians 4:11 which claims Christ himself made some to be teachers?

Christ's rebuke was for those who used their office for self-aggrandizement, and to followers who looked to such leaders instead of God. He did not speak against either human authority, or human teaching. Rather, He taught a new attitude: humility "he who humbles himself will be exalted". Authorities and teachers must understand that we are all God's children, we are brothers, we are related to one another by having the same spiritual Father through the generative seed of the holy spirit.

Jesus statement in the gospels do not mean authority in the Church is invalid. That Paul went off on his own direction creating a church that Jesus would not have Himself created. Many have taught this very thing over the centuries. Many worldly churches believe they too have the mandate and example to take the church in whatever direction they see fit.

In UCG we conclude that based on the new testament writings the question is not whether authority in the Church exists (it does), but the question is about how authority is to be applied, what are its limits, and how each and every one of us responds to it.

God's biblical witness is one of resistance to authority ranging from rebellion in the angelic realm to human rebellion against God's will... humanity even hates its own self-imposed governments. Humans fantasize that they can escape authority... they are delusional. (there will be no withering away of the state).

Romans 13:1-7 my generation has been raised up to question and defy authority... we have in turn bred a new generation that seems to reject all authority. When God speaks to you saying COME OUT OF THIS WORLD... you probably think about lust, then greed, but it also means coming out of the spirit of rebellion.

If you hate all authority... if you hate even the idea that some might have authority over others... over you... (perhaps even disliking the presence of authority in the Church) ... then you are on the wrong side of history... WORSE, you are on the wrong side of reality... even on the wrong side of the kingdom of God. Authority will not end with the return of the king of kings.

Do you want an eternal future where there is no course correction. No one to say here's what we are going to do... and we are going to do it together.

God tells us the nature of government (and the authority wielded by that government) is for our own good... even our lousy, flawed human government. You might say "oh I'm justified in despising authority now because human leaders are so corrupt, but I'll be ok with authority when I see Christ enthroned as king of kings over all the earth" .... but God is assessing your attitude to the very concept of authority... and He is doing it HERE and NOW. Your response to authority now will have an impact on the inheritance you receive in when Christ returns.

The weight of biblical evidence shows that authority does (and must) exist in the Church; to deal with the inevitable problems that arise (because of sin), to protect the congregation, to keep it headed in the right direction.

If those in authority abuse their power to discipline, lord it over others, lack concern for the members welfare then trouble, discontent, and division will follow.

But, when those in authority are following the lead of the Chief Shepherd (Jesus Christ) there will be peace, there will be unity, the people will rejoice. If the holy spirit is working in our hearts and minds...  those in authority will behave honorably, and the true disciples will honor, and appreciate the functions and offices God has instituted for the benefit of His Church.