"Indeed even more abundantly I should boast concerning the authority of us, which the Lord has given for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be
ashamed."1
We see clearly authority and the purpose of authority in the Church, such is related to the gifts, where the gift having a purpose of building up. As Paul writes each person is a living stone in a spiritual temple being built unto God. If I tear down a little stone in this temple, I tear down his Church. I believe this is one of the most misunderstand and most dangerous areas that the devil can lead the Church astray, so lets begin a study on authority.
We see types of authority change in the old testament, judges, prophets and then there were kings. This type of authority was allowed by God but this was not what God wanted it is what the people. You can picture it much like the colonies of early American, if there was a threat the people threw down their tools of trade, took up their weapons. Of course that was why they wanted a King, they wanted the king and an army to fight for them. God told Samuel he would do this, but the people would have to give 10% to the king. Our lessons in the old is to see how such authority of men, rules and regulations failed to curb sin in the flesh.
We see Solomon cry out for wisdom because the kingdom brought nothing but, back biting and stabbing, plots to over the the king... Solomon writes all such riches and power was vanity, just to know God and work with your hands, this is good. The kingdom period ended shortly after Solomon died. We see Moses given authority to sit in a seat to dispense God's laws and judgment upon the people. But such rule of the Law became external shows of righteousness, false piety. Paul writes, the Law exposed sin but sin increased and they were kept captive under sin until Christ would come to condemn sin in the flesh.
After being dispersed to all the nations, there was the time of the scribes, who wrote down the scriptures. Prophecy was then fulfilled, that they would return to Israel, to the land, and would rebuild the Temple. We then see what is called the inter-testament period, 400 years of silence in the scriptures and the rise of the Pharisee and other groups, who as Jesus said, sat in the seat of Moses, dispensing laws and judgment on the people. These people established absolute authority over the people, and to speak against their authority would surely mean false accusations and death to you. Jesus said they neglected justice, and as the scriptures say they unjustly put on trial and crucified the Son of God, who was without sin.
Steven spoke boldly against such authority, and he was stoned. The people were amazed at Jesus as he spoke with authority to these men. But they would also try to destroy Jesus on several occasions he escaping miraculously as it was not his time. Of course what did he do wrong? He spoke against their authority, though he did not sin, he broke their rules and traditions, of course these were trumped up charges, accusations, see look at him, he is not of God, he breaks our rules and traditions. This is how they tried to discredit him. He was gaining power and authority over the people and this threatened them, but he was not seeking an unearthly kingdom like them.
The example of authority Jesus gives is what the Church is built upon, he being the head. He has all preeminence in authority; King, Lord, Teacher, Rabbi... so that man can not boast in such authority. He gives gifts to men, not so they lord over others but that they build up His Church. His Church is the people, what you do to the least of these his brethren, you do to Christ. We see this very important concept that Paul builds upon, the Church is "faith working through love" where the principle of love states I will not cause my brother to stumble. Authority that causes a brother to stumble is not following the model of leadership Christ speaks of.
So here we see the distinction between old covenant authority that would sit in the seat of Moses to that of the new covenant where the first must be last. Instead of a top-down type of leadership, it is a bottom-up type of service. Instead of thundering from a mountain, using fear and condemnation, guilt, shame... it operates by grace through faith... using the gifts given by Christ to build up those in the Church. With this important aspect of brotherly love at work. Important in this is the concept that we are under the principle of Liberty, not under the judgment of the Law, not under fear and condemnation, but under grace we are being perfected in our faith through the love of God working in us.
One of the greatest threats that Paul faced in the early Church was from what he called doctrines of demons being introduced, mostly from those he called the "circumcision party." Deceptively these build upon old testament principles ignoring the foundation, the Truth who is Christ. The purpose of such doctrines is to lead away God's people again into captivity. We are warned of such in the last days. I believe one of the greatest threats to the Church today is certain teachings of authority. It says God is sovereign and authority is placed there by God not to be questioned. Of course it uses partial truths to build upon such a belief.
As a scientist I try to look at all truth in an unbiased way, the scientific method gives us a process for such. Today many teach partial truths that support their views or beliefs, this is especially true in some teachings of authority. Of course as Jesus said of the Pharisee they do not seek the glory of God but of men, and here is where the philosophy of men and traditions get their foothold in the Church. Not that these are doctrines of men, but they use old testament scriptures neglecting the Truth. Christ himself is the Truth so we make this observation, and base all scriptures in comparison to Truth, Christ, placing it on a lamp-stand for all to see.
God has revealed roots in my life, regarding my father, one being the failure of the Church to disciple my father, but one more sinister. My father's behaviour was brought before the Church and my mother was told she either needed to submit to his authority or leave. There should have been mediation and accountability but instead there was justification. He would provoke his children to wrath, producing a root of bitterness, a spirit of fear, and condemnation. All of these things God has shown me, have their root in one thing, a teaching of authority that says God is sovereign, he has placed authority there, you must submit or leave.
Paul writes the fight is not against flesh and blood, but of principles and principalities. In my own experience as a believer I have experienced things that have deeply hurt me, I believe these things have root in the same teachings of authority. And I am not alone. My friend was sexually abused by her step-father, he is a member of a church and it came before them. She like my family experienced the same type of teaching of authority. Such teachings eliminate accountability, so when one does seek mediation, to shine light on the truth, this authority would hide the truth, cover it up based upon some sovereign teachings of authority. We see these teachings supported by scriptures, where they pick and choose certain scriptures and ignore others.
I believe there exists a spirit of disobedience that hides under the name of godly authority. The most telling sign is that it doesn't love, this is what Jesus said of the Pharisees, the love of God did not dwell in their hearts. We see this especially in that they used rules and regulations, knowledge of the scriptures, against the people, to control people. They did not enter and kept others from entering the kingdom, placing heavy burdens on their shoulders. They do not build up but tear down people. Such rule has its basis in teachings of authority, but one who would tear down a little child of God doesn't love and thus is not of God. This principle of Love working within the principle of Liberty has such a goal, not to cause His children to stumble but to build them up in faith by love, or "faith working through love."
This type of authority is most dangerous, and without accountability. Where do you draw the line in how far it will go? well, God is sovereign, he put that authority there, so the little girl must submit to molestation, or leave, run away. I am reminded of the church before the Reformation and the church under Hitler... There are no other options in this type of authority, my way or the highway. Of course the authority of the Pharisee neglected weightier matters like justice, mercy, and faith. And it neglects the nature of truth, that it is to be proclaimed on a lamp-stand for all to see, the principle of Light states such and that darkness doesn't like the Light. There is a difference between godly authority, even that good authority of Caesar, and evil, abusive authority that doesn't Liberate men.
We see proper authority in the marriage covenant. While naturally man was first, man now comes from woman. Spiritually Paul writes there is no distinction between a man and woman, as there is not in a Jew and Gentile. In such a covenant they are both bound to Christ, being children of God, and if both are submitting to Christ they will submit to one another. It is easy to be submissive to one another in Christ, but what happens when one is not submitted? A wife as Paul writes can submit in hopes of a husband coming to Christ, but does she know he will? My mother submitted to my father, as she was told to do so, for 21 years.
My father did not change and eventually he abandoned his family, we are a product of the failings of such teachings. I believe if the Church would have discipled him and where the process of mediation was to build up in faith working through love, things would have been different. So the question is asked what if there is abusive authority? what if the husband is abusive to his wife? The Matthew 18 process of mediation would be there to help her in the Church, but this is not an option in some teachings of authority. This is where the schemes of the devil are so manipulative, introducing teachings that have such damaging results, that lead the Church astray.
Paul writes knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. This is how we know godly authority; they build up. So we see the purpose of the Church and godly discipline it is to build up. In such discipline justice is not ignored, and certainly there is not lies, covering of wrong, nor favoritism as James writes. We know who is the author of lies, so authority that would manipulate and lie is not of God. As the proverb states one who would falsely accuse, such is an abomination to God. Authority that would treat the poor or the child in faith differently than the rich or elder in the church, is in sin. Authority that would punish you to cover up its own wrong is abusive authority. This is where such a type of authority of the legalistic Pharisee unravels; in the hypocrisy. Truth unravels such deception. Proper authority is operating in love building one another up in the faith.
We see clearly authority and the purpose of authority in the Church, such is related to the gifts, where the gift having a purpose of building up. As Paul writes each person is a living stone in a spiritual temple being built unto God. If I tear down a little stone in this temple, I tear down his Church. I believe this is one of the most misunderstand and most dangerous areas that the devil can lead the Church astray, so lets begin a study on authority.
We see types of authority change in the old testament, judges, prophets and then there were kings. This type of authority was allowed by God but this was not what God wanted it is what the people. You can picture it much like the colonies of early American, if there was a threat the people threw down their tools of trade, took up their weapons. Of course that was why they wanted a King, they wanted the king and an army to fight for them. God told Samuel he would do this, but the people would have to give 10% to the king. Our lessons in the old is to see how such authority of men, rules and regulations failed to curb sin in the flesh.
We see Solomon cry out for wisdom because the kingdom brought nothing but, back biting and stabbing, plots to over the the king... Solomon writes all such riches and power was vanity, just to know God and work with your hands, this is good. The kingdom period ended shortly after Solomon died. We see Moses given authority to sit in a seat to dispense God's laws and judgment upon the people. But such rule of the Law became external shows of righteousness, false piety. Paul writes, the Law exposed sin but sin increased and they were kept captive under sin until Christ would come to condemn sin in the flesh.
After being dispersed to all the nations, there was the time of the scribes, who wrote down the scriptures. Prophecy was then fulfilled, that they would return to Israel, to the land, and would rebuild the Temple. We then see what is called the inter-testament period, 400 years of silence in the scriptures and the rise of the Pharisee and other groups, who as Jesus said, sat in the seat of Moses, dispensing laws and judgment on the people. These people established absolute authority over the people, and to speak against their authority would surely mean false accusations and death to you. Jesus said they neglected justice, and as the scriptures say they unjustly put on trial and crucified the Son of God, who was without sin.
Steven spoke boldly against such authority, and he was stoned. The people were amazed at Jesus as he spoke with authority to these men. But they would also try to destroy Jesus on several occasions he escaping miraculously as it was not his time. Of course what did he do wrong? He spoke against their authority, though he did not sin, he broke their rules and traditions, of course these were trumped up charges, accusations, see look at him, he is not of God, he breaks our rules and traditions. This is how they tried to discredit him. He was gaining power and authority over the people and this threatened them, but he was not seeking an unearthly kingdom like them.
The example of authority Jesus gives is what the Church is built upon, he being the head. He has all preeminence in authority; King, Lord, Teacher, Rabbi... so that man can not boast in such authority. He gives gifts to men, not so they lord over others but that they build up His Church. His Church is the people, what you do to the least of these his brethren, you do to Christ. We see this very important concept that Paul builds upon, the Church is "faith working through love" where the principle of love states I will not cause my brother to stumble. Authority that causes a brother to stumble is not following the model of leadership Christ speaks of.
So here we see the distinction between old covenant authority that would sit in the seat of Moses to that of the new covenant where the first must be last. Instead of a top-down type of leadership, it is a bottom-up type of service. Instead of thundering from a mountain, using fear and condemnation, guilt, shame... it operates by grace through faith... using the gifts given by Christ to build up those in the Church. With this important aspect of brotherly love at work. Important in this is the concept that we are under the principle of Liberty, not under the judgment of the Law, not under fear and condemnation, but under grace we are being perfected in our faith through the love of God working in us.
One of the greatest threats that Paul faced in the early Church was from what he called doctrines of demons being introduced, mostly from those he called the "circumcision party." Deceptively these build upon old testament principles ignoring the foundation, the Truth who is Christ. The purpose of such doctrines is to lead away God's people again into captivity. We are warned of such in the last days. I believe one of the greatest threats to the Church today is certain teachings of authority. It says God is sovereign and authority is placed there by God not to be questioned. Of course it uses partial truths to build upon such a belief.
As a scientist I try to look at all truth in an unbiased way, the scientific method gives us a process for such. Today many teach partial truths that support their views or beliefs, this is especially true in some teachings of authority. Of course as Jesus said of the Pharisee they do not seek the glory of God but of men, and here is where the philosophy of men and traditions get their foothold in the Church. Not that these are doctrines of men, but they use old testament scriptures neglecting the Truth. Christ himself is the Truth so we make this observation, and base all scriptures in comparison to Truth, Christ, placing it on a lamp-stand for all to see.
God has revealed roots in my life, regarding my father, one being the failure of the Church to disciple my father, but one more sinister. My father's behaviour was brought before the Church and my mother was told she either needed to submit to his authority or leave. There should have been mediation and accountability but instead there was justification. He would provoke his children to wrath, producing a root of bitterness, a spirit of fear, and condemnation. All of these things God has shown me, have their root in one thing, a teaching of authority that says God is sovereign, he has placed authority there, you must submit or leave.
Paul writes the fight is not against flesh and blood, but of principles and principalities. In my own experience as a believer I have experienced things that have deeply hurt me, I believe these things have root in the same teachings of authority. And I am not alone. My friend was sexually abused by her step-father, he is a member of a church and it came before them. She like my family experienced the same type of teaching of authority. Such teachings eliminate accountability, so when one does seek mediation, to shine light on the truth, this authority would hide the truth, cover it up based upon some sovereign teachings of authority. We see these teachings supported by scriptures, where they pick and choose certain scriptures and ignore others.
I believe there exists a spirit of disobedience that hides under the name of godly authority. The most telling sign is that it doesn't love, this is what Jesus said of the Pharisees, the love of God did not dwell in their hearts. We see this especially in that they used rules and regulations, knowledge of the scriptures, against the people, to control people. They did not enter and kept others from entering the kingdom, placing heavy burdens on their shoulders. They do not build up but tear down people. Such rule has its basis in teachings of authority, but one who would tear down a little child of God doesn't love and thus is not of God. This principle of Love working within the principle of Liberty has such a goal, not to cause His children to stumble but to build them up in faith by love, or "faith working through love."
This type of authority is most dangerous, and without accountability. Where do you draw the line in how far it will go? well, God is sovereign, he put that authority there, so the little girl must submit to molestation, or leave, run away. I am reminded of the church before the Reformation and the church under Hitler... There are no other options in this type of authority, my way or the highway. Of course the authority of the Pharisee neglected weightier matters like justice, mercy, and faith. And it neglects the nature of truth, that it is to be proclaimed on a lamp-stand for all to see, the principle of Light states such and that darkness doesn't like the Light. There is a difference between godly authority, even that good authority of Caesar, and evil, abusive authority that doesn't Liberate men.
We see proper authority in the marriage covenant. While naturally man was first, man now comes from woman. Spiritually Paul writes there is no distinction between a man and woman, as there is not in a Jew and Gentile. In such a covenant they are both bound to Christ, being children of God, and if both are submitting to Christ they will submit to one another. It is easy to be submissive to one another in Christ, but what happens when one is not submitted? A wife as Paul writes can submit in hopes of a husband coming to Christ, but does she know he will? My mother submitted to my father, as she was told to do so, for 21 years.
My father did not change and eventually he abandoned his family, we are a product of the failings of such teachings. I believe if the Church would have discipled him and where the process of mediation was to build up in faith working through love, things would have been different. So the question is asked what if there is abusive authority? what if the husband is abusive to his wife? The Matthew 18 process of mediation would be there to help her in the Church, but this is not an option in some teachings of authority. This is where the schemes of the devil are so manipulative, introducing teachings that have such damaging results, that lead the Church astray.
Paul writes knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. This is how we know godly authority; they build up. So we see the purpose of the Church and godly discipline it is to build up. In such discipline justice is not ignored, and certainly there is not lies, covering of wrong, nor favoritism as James writes. We know who is the author of lies, so authority that would manipulate and lie is not of God. As the proverb states one who would falsely accuse, such is an abomination to God. Authority that would treat the poor or the child in faith differently than the rich or elder in the church, is in sin. Authority that would punish you to cover up its own wrong is abusive authority. This is where such a type of authority of the legalistic Pharisee unravels; in the hypocrisy. Truth unravels such deception. Proper authority is operating in love building one another up in the faith.