Authority

The theme of authority is a controversial and emotional topic because so many people have been mistreated or even abused by someone with authority. This has led to a growing cultural consensus that any authority is either illegitimate or used in an illegitimate way. This seems to be particularly true of the generation currently in their twenties and thirties. How should Christians respond to this? Most Christians will agree in theory that God has authority as seen in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and all who live in it,” a clear statement of ownership by the Creator. Romans 9:19-23 illustrates the same truth by comparing God with His creation to a potter who can make whatever he wishes with the clay.
Jesus states that He has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth.” (Matt 28:18) His authority is expressed in the concept of Lordship, problematic for Americans because it is not a cultural concept. Jesus says it very clearly in Luke 6:46. “Why do you call me Lord, Lord but do not do what I say?” This is the difference between theory and practice. How do His Lordship and authority leave theory and become practice in our lives? By obedience to the Word of God. ( John 14:15)
Some people claim that Jesus is their Lord and that they do what He or the Holy Spirit tells them to do but reject any other authority. Is this a Biblical position? Does it reflect spiritual pride or humility? It is God who establishes governing authority. “ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Most of these people are not believers. In the Church, the Holy Spirit writes through Paul that the apostle has “authority which the Lord has given me...” (2 Cor. 13:10 cf. 2 Cor. 10:8) Hebrews 13:17 extends this beyond the apostolic to church leaders in general. “Obey those who rule (or lead) over you and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Now people whom I respect teach that the Greek word which translates to obey should be translated “be persuaded by”. There are hundreds of English language versions, and I have certainly not read them all, but I have read quite a few, and I have never seen it translated that way. One would think it would have appeared in at least one major version if that interpretation were correct.
The Thessalonians are urged “to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish (instruct or warn) you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.” ( 1 Thess 5:12) What is the nature and purpose of this authority that God delegates to men?
I believe the authority is to be persuasive in nature.
a) a godly life ( 1 Cor. 4:16)
b) proper use of the Word of God (2 Tim 2:24)
c)the internal witness of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:16)
The primary purpose of authority delegated to church leaders (elders) , as indicated by the word “shepherd” is to protect the flock. Titus 1:9ff says that elders are to combat false teachers. Acts 20:28-29 brings this out clearly as well. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” Combating false teachers is an ongoing theme in the epistles. Some examples include Galatians, 2 Peter 2, and Jude. Timothy is expressly left in Ephesus “to charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” ( 1 Tim. 1:3) Some of this false teaching is detailed in chapter 4, verses 1-5. In 4:11 Timothy is told to “command and teach these things.” In 6:2 he is to teach and exhort. In verse 17 he is to command the rich.
What safeguards or boundaries are there to help insure the Scriptural use, rather than the misuse of authority delegated by God? Let me suggest several below.
Humility- the first qualification for a leader. (Acts 20:19, 1 Peter 5:1-6)
Plurality of leadership- Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5, James 5:14, 1 Peter 5:1, Acts 20:17 etc.
Mutual Accountability- Prov. 11:14, 15:22, 20:18, 24:6, and the fifty odd “one another” verses
Brotherhood- eternal not temporary Matt 23:8, Rom. 8:29, John 20:17, Heb. 2:11-12
Priesthood of all Believers- 1 Peter 2:5,9 Rev. 1:6
Consensus Government- illustrated in Matt 18: 15-18, Acts 6:1-7, Acts 15 note the agreement of the whole church in verses 22,23,25
All verses above are from the New King James Version. I anticipate disagreement.