Leadership, Authority &
Submission?
Written and contributed by Mary Friday
When Jesus spoke about “leaders” he said they should
be servants, not acting as gentiles who “lord it over” people.
Mat
Authority in the church is very different to worldly
authority. Leaders within the church must,
first of all, be servants.
His reference to Gentile rulers is about the Roman army and the
system of regional government which occupied
Matthew Henry says in commentary of this
verse, “Nothing makes more mischief among
brethren, than desire of greatness….
Observe, [1.] What is the way of the princes of the Gentiles; to exercise
dominion and authority over their subjects, and (if they can but win
the upper hand with a strong hand) over one another too. That which bears them
up in it is, that they are great, and great men think
they may do any thing. Dominion and authority are the great things which the
princes of the Gentiles pursue, and pride themselves in…
First, “It
shall not be so among you. The constitution of the spiritual kingdom is
quite different from this. You are to teach the subjects of this kingdom, to
instruct and beseech them, to counsel and comfort them, to take pains with
them, and suffer with them, not to exercise dominion or authority over them;
you are not to lord it over God's heritage (1Pe_5:3), but to
labour in it.” This forbids not only tyranny, and
abuse of power, but the claim or use of any such secular authority as the
princes of the Gentiles lawfully exercise. So hard is it for vain men, even
good men, to have such authority, and not to be puffed up with it, and do more
hurt than good with it, that our Lord Jesus saw fit wholly to banish it out of
his church. Paul himself disowns dominion over the faith of any, 2Co_1:24 ”
It is interesting that in the early church it was not
elders or pastors that made the final decision on matters, contrary to many
church movements today, but the body after prayer.
Acts
15:22 Then the apostles, the elders, and
the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and
Barnabas to Antioch, Acts 13: 1-3,
1Co 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no
divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and
in the same judgment.
The same mind and judgment or
the same understanding and opinion. Judging
questions from the same Christian point of view and formulating their judgement accordingly.
Matthew 18:15-20 is a well-known passage on
dealing with offence. It is the duty of believers
to approach sinners in an attempt to reconcile.
If reconciliation and repentance is not achieved, what are we to
do? Go to the elders? Not necessarily, according to the Word we
bring in a third and even a fourth party.
If there is still no reconciliation do we then go to the elders? No. We
go to the church. If the elders were the
primary decision makers and those responsible for the flock, surely Jesus would
have taught that we should go to them for arbitration. This seems to indicate that oversight and
eldership is a function, not a position carrying authority over the
church. Leaders lead by a
servant-hearted example and mutual submission.
This is not to say that we are not to respect leaders and elders. We are to love one another.
Followers
of Jesus, whose kingdom is not of this world, but spiritual, are to imitate
Christ, not the Gentiles who act according to worldly forms of authority.
1Co 11:3 Now I want you to realize that Christ is the head of every man.
He
also refers also to the example of the Pharisees:
Mat 23:8 "But you are not to be called
'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all of you are brothers. And don't call anyone on earth 'Father,' for
you have only one Father, the one in heaven.
Nor are you to be called 'Teachers,' for you have only one teacher, the
Christ! The person who is greatest among
you must be your servant. Whoever exalts
himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
“The Jewish rabbis were also called father and master, by their
several disciples, whom they required to believe implicitly what they affirmed,
without asking any farther reason; to obey implicitly what they enjoined,
without seeking farther authority. Our Lord, therefore, by forbidding us
either to give or receive the title of rabbi, master, or father, forbids us
either to receive any such reverence, or to pay any such to any but God.”
Wesley
Thus
we see that servant-hood is the greater honour amongst Christians. We are not permitted to call earthly leaders,
“Father”. We are to reject those who
would set themselves up over us in authoritative powers in terms of our faith,
as we submit only to Christ.
Eph
As
an aside, the term used in this verse for Father, Abba, was not usually used
when addressing a person living, but reserved for addressing great Rabbis and
great men who had already died. Jesus
says, “Abba, Father” in the garden.
This was not the word used for our earthly fathers.
We
are not to view others in the church, however honourable, as fathers or
superiors in any way.
As
far as I have been able to see, the bible does not speak of eldership having
authority over the church, or believers having authority over one another. In fact there numerous warnings that we
should test men’s teachings, weigh up prophecies, quite the opposite of being
“under authority”. Submitting to human
authority can be an instrument for placing oneself under control, albeit
unknowingly. We are not simply encouraged
to read the bible, but commanded to seek the truth ourselves, test all
teachings, prophecies, words, etc. The
only sure way to do that is against the Word of God.
1 John 4:1 "...
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because
many false prophets are gone out into the world."
Why
test every spirit? Because there are
many false prophets! We do not want to
be deceived. The Bible expressly warns
us that many will be deceived, even the elect.
The best way to ensure that we are not mislead
is by testing all things personally. We
cannot afford to rely on a human authority figure to protect us or give us
their “covering”. (Which
is also not biblical. The
word "covering" only appears once in the New Testament in 1 Cor.
If
we are likely to be deceived, it would stand to reason that we would welcome
the deception. We would not easily be
deceived if deception was blatantly obvious or something we did not want to
hear.
Jer 5:31 “the
prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my
people love to have it so” 2Ti
4:3 & 4 “For the time will come when
they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap
to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears
from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.”
If
something sounds good, it may not necessarily be.
Luke
This is what Albert Barnes’ said in commentary of
this verse; “When all men shall speak well of you - When they shall praise or applaud you. The people of
the world will not praise or applaud “my” doctrine; they are “opposed” to it,
and therefore, if they speak well of “you” and of “your teachings,” it is proof
that you do not teach the true doctrine. If you do “not” do this, then there
will be woe upon you. If men teach false doctrines for true; if they declare
that God has spoken that which he has not spoken, and if they oppose what he
“has” delivered, then heavy punishments will await them.
A few more verses in this vein:
Rom
2Th 2:7 - 12 “For the mystery of
lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he
be taken out of the way. And then shall be revealed the lawless one,
whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to
nought by the manifestation of his coming;
even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all
power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for
them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they
might be saved. And for this cause God
sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who believed
not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Pe 2:1 -
3 “But there were false prophets among the people, as there will be false
teachers among you, who will secretly put forward wrong teachings for your
destruction, even turning away from the Lord who gave himself for them; whose
destruction will come quickly, and they themselves will be the cause of
it. And a great number will go with them
in their evil ways, through whom the true way will
have a bad name. And in their desire for
profit they will come to you with words of deceit, like traders doing business
in souls: whose punishment has been ready for a long time and their destruction
is watching for them.”
Thus we see that we cannot afford to put ourselves under the unbiblical “covering” of human authority. One will more often than not find, that in churches where leadership authority is taught, this idea of covering is also taught. Although many of these denominations deny having an hierarchical authority structure, they admit to eldership or pastors “covering” the flock, and that they, themselves are under the “covering” of some or another man or ministry.
We are responsible for our own Christian walk and under the headship
of none other than Christ. If a
leader speaks error, it is our duty to reason with him, correcting his
doctrine. If we are in error, the same
applies. Our only authority is Christ
and His Word.
BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP
The bible does speak of certain positions in the church. We know that it is wrong to have people on an hierarchical position of leadership, as it is wrong to assume that any person may have a greater anointing or authority than another. Briefly, some of the positions were, elders, deacons, pastors, teachers.
Acts 6: 1-6 Administrators. These men looked after the widows.
Deacon. The
word diakonos means servant/minister.
Pastors. Were to watch over the people ensuring that they are following
Christ.
We are not to follow the
pastors!
Teachers. We
are to test every thing.
1 Peter 5:2-5 shows that
elders are to preach, be earnest, watchful, attentive, willingly attend to the
flock as faithful examples. Their authority, therefore, is
simply in the teaching of the Word, instructing and serving believers so that
they might grow. They have no authority
over a believer.
SUBMISSION
As far as submission is concerned, many of
those in the “shepherding” movement today require absolute submission to the
authority of the elders and apostles.
People are not to contradict elders or speak out
against sin or false doctrine. Often the
church is cautioned not to “touch God’s anointed” and told to be careful to
stay in submission, as the elders are the covering of the church.
When Paul had to correct people in the church, he used
only the Word of God as authority, never his position. We see in Corinthians, a church which had its
share of problems, that Paul never used human wisdom to solve difficulties,
even opposing that right. He went to the
Word of God, the highest authority.
2 Pe
1:3 His divine
power has given us everything we need for life and godliness
through the full knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and
excellence.
Let us briefly examine “touching God’s anointed”. This phrase is used in the Old Testament in
reference to the kings and prophets of
David refused to kill Saul, saying he was anointed of the Lord, however, he spoke out publicly against him. In the account of this in Samuel no verse
supports the idea that David should not speak out against Saul, neither that Saul should not be held accountable for his actions.
In the new Testament we discover who
God’s anointed are:
1Jo
All believers are anointed of God.
Did Paul rebuke the Bereans for checking out his
message scripturally? Did Paul touch
God’s anointed when rebuking Peter? (Gal 2: 12-14). The scriptures are full of examples of Godly
men standing up for truth and rebuking error.
To misuse this phrase to keep the sheep under submission is
shameful.
Erroneous
teachings
We are to only accept teaching from those who follow
the Word. Consequently, we are not to
obey or accept any teaching that is contrary to the Word of God. We have a duty to test every teaching and
explain truth to those who teach error.
Jesus, in Acts 19:8 reasoned and taught.
We are to discuss and work out teaching.
If people call themselves pastors or teachers and are not in submission
to the Word of God, we are instructed to expose their error.
1 John 4:1
"... believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of
God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
Eph
Rom 16:17-19 Now, it is my desire,
brothers, that you will take note of those who are causing division and trouble
among you, quite against the teaching which was given to you: and keep away
from them. For such people are not
servants of the Lord Christ, but of their stomachs; and by their smooth and well-said words the hearts of those who have
no knowledge of evil are tricked. For
all have knowledge of how you do what you are ordered. For this reason I have
joy in you, but it is my desire that you may be wise in what is good, and
without knowledge of evil.
The Bereans checked teaching against the scriptures to make sure it was
sound.
Act
Commonly quoted by shepherding churches to substantiate
absolute obedience to “authority” is the following verse.
Hebrews
Let us examine this in more detail, as it would seem to contradict what Jesus taught.
Obey – is translated from the Greek word peitho
which means to be convinced or persuaded.
to be persuaded and hence to obey (Mike Gascoigne)
"obey": by
constantly tending upon the word preached by them, and hearkening to it; by
receiving it with faith and love, as it appears agreeable to the Scriptures (John Gill)
Submit – is translated from the Greek word hupeiko
This word occurs only once in the Bible, and it is here.
Since it is already qualified by
the requirement to be persuaded before you submit, this verse cannot be used to
advocate the kind of slavish obedience that is required by leaders of the
Shepherding Movement. (Mike Gascoigne)
We are required to submit to those things that we can be persuaded are true according to the Word of God, and that we agree with. There is a dangerous false teaching, that even if we do not agree with eldership, we are to submit anyway as obedience carries a blessing.
The
obedience and submission required in this verse is in terms of teaching. It is an attitude of the
heart, which should be one of humble servant-hood. The submission and obedience required here is
in relation to teaching of the word and the guidance of the leader in truth and
holiness.
Matthew Henry, puts it
well,
The duty – to obey them,
and submit themselves to them
It is not an implicit obedience,
or absolute submission, that is here required, but only so far as is agreeable
to the mind and will of God revealed in his word; and yet it is truly obedience and submission, and
that not only to God, but to the authority of the ministerial office, which is
of God as certainly, in all things belonging to that office, as the authority
of parents or of civil magistrates in the things within their sphere. Christians
must submit to be instructed by their ministers, and not think themselves too wise, too good, or too great, to learn
from them; and, when they find that ministerial instructions are agreeable to
the written word, they must obey them.
[Speaking of elders]… They have no authority
to lord it over the people, but to lead them in the ways of God, by informing
and instructing them, explaining the word of God to them, and applying it to
their several cases. They are not to make laws of their own, but to interpret
the laws of God; nor is their interpretation to be immediately received without
examination, but the people must search the scriptures, and so far as the
instructions of their minister are according to that rule they ought to receive
them, not as the word of men, but, as they are indeed, the word of God, that
works effectually in those that believe.
And submit yourselves - Give up
(not your conscience or judgment, but) your own will, in all things purely
indifferent. John Wesley
Another verse used often to substantiate control & submission is:
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto
the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another:
for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:5 - be subject--omitted in the
oldest manuscripts and versions, but TISCHENDORF quotes the
The word subject comes from the Greek word hupotasso. It is not the same word for submit used
earlier in Heb
So we see that submission is to teaching, as
far as we agree with such teaching according to our testing thereof against the
Word. If we receive sound teaching we
can happily submit to it wholeheartedly.
The problem in shepherding churches
is that they teach absolute submission to the man (elder, pastor and/or
apostle) as well as the Word, (if that were possible). Who then is their watchdog? How do we know that they are not leading the
church into error if they cannot be challenged?
If we are into shepherding or submitted body
ministry, we have a real problem if the leaders go astray. If we are going to
have a spiritual police, who is going to police the police? The answer is in 1
John 2:26-27, which tells us that we are given the Holy Spirit so that we don't
need any police.
These things have I written unto
you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received
of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man
teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of
all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye
shall abide in him.
The Apostle's words were prophetic. Christianity
was adopted by the
Division
We are also warned against
division by the same people who advocate submission to leaders. "Unity
affects authority. Elders in a united church in the city have spiritual
authority. It affects the whole city when they pray. They sit at the gates of
the city. Divided elders have diminished authority, or
none at all. Disunity prevents effective corporate prayer.” says Ron Wood, in
"The Church in the City". Is it not almost superstitious to suggest
that our prayers and the authority we have when praying them get results and
not the God who receives these prayers?
Even one prayer is heard. A
thousand people praying in unity may never receive the desired result when they
are out of the will of God! Consider
Elijah, he was alone, yet highly effectively used by God.
Division does not affect spiritual authority, simply because
all authority belongs to God, not us.
Mat 28:18 “And coming up
Jesus talked with them, saying, All authority in Heaven and on
earth was given to Me.”
In withdrawing from error, thereby
causing “division” we are actually becoming more unified in truth, as there is
less compromise. True followers of Christ cannot be a part of
these new citywide and worldwide ecumenical groups whose members do not all hold true to the Word of God, as we cannot really
be one in truth. Unity of the faith
refers to the teachings of Scripture, not the joining together of all who
profess a faith in Christ. Remember that
even the demons believe in Jesus!
Ecumenism is a serious thing.
Could the fear of causing “disunity” because one points
out error or even questions teaching be another way of controlling members of
the church into submitting to whatever “new thing” the leaders are promoting?
The onus is on us to responsibly seek out the truth
and uncompromisingly follow God’s commandments.
Jesus says, “If you love me, obey my commandments”. One cannot go along with unscriptural
practices of submission to human authority as they defy the Word of God. We need to choose to follow either the Word
of God, or the word of man. Where there
is error, reason with one another, but let the Bible be the basis for our
beliefs. To paraphrase Jacob Prasch,
where there is error in a church we can either stand up and speak out or stand up and leave, but
we cannot simply sit
In the light of the end times falling away from the
truth, it is imperative that we hold true only to what is taught in the
Word. Consider for a moment submission
to the authority of fallen man in the light of the antichrist and what we know
of the end times, people being led astray, even the elect being deceived.
Human leadership in the biblical sense is
acceptable. Hierarchical and
authoritative leadership is not.
Submission is Godly when we are persuaded. Jesus came to earth, not as a king, but as a
servant and we are called to imitate Him.
And whosoever shall exalt himself
shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one
another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:5
Now the man
Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon
the face of the earth.
Num 12:3
But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse
cherisheth her own children:
1Th 2:7
Who is wise and knowing among you?
Let him show his works by his good behavior, in meekness of wisdom.
But
the wisdom from above is firstly truly pure, then peaceable, forbearing,
yielding, full of mercy and of good fruits, not partial and not pretended. And
the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for the ones making peace.
James 3:13, 17, 18
The
Bible, KJV, ASV, ISV
Matthew
Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
Albert
Barnes’ notes on the Bible
John
Wesley’s explanatory notes
John
Gill’s exposition of the entire Bible
Mike
Gascoigne - What does the Bible teach about
superiors and subordinates within the church?
(http://www.write-on.co.uk/bible.htm)
Ron Wood
from “the Church in the city”
(http://www.touchedbygrace.org/teaching_articles/church_in_the_city.html)
Written and contributed by Mary Friday. She may be
contacted by email at: mary@dynamit.co.za and she kindly requests that people contact her before
copying any portion of it unless it is to be printed out for their own personal
use. This is purely to safeguard against any distortion of what she has
written.