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Authority in the Church
Batsell Barrett Baxter
Properly constituted authority is vital in the church. In fact, it is vital in almost every activity of life. No doctor of medicine can practice until he is authorized to do so by having finished a recognized medical school and having been licensed to practice. The same is true of the lawyer. Before he can practice he must finish his law degree and pass the bar. The teacher must likewise be authorized to teach through the achieving of certain levels of education, with their accompanying degrees or certificates. The policeman is authorized to perform the duties of a law enforcement officer only when he has been granted his badge. We can drive a car only when we are licensed to do so. Marrying also requires a license. Even attending a ball game requires an authorization to do so through the purchase of a ticket. In short, almost every activity of life involves some authorization.
The same is true in the church. We may do only what we are authorized to do in becoming a Christian, in worship, and in the functioning of the church. As Paul wrote, "And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. . . ." (Eph. 4: 11.) Whether it be in the first century (the age of the apostles and prophets) or in our own time (the age of evangelists, pastors and teachers) we find that God gives responsibilities and authority to certain ones to do certain things.
Ultimately, all authority rests with God meaning the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God has spoken to us in his inspired, authoritative book, the Bible. We may do only what we are authorized to do by God, speaking through his word.
In recognizing the basic principle that authority must be involved in all activities lest there be chaos, God has made man the head of the home. "Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the Savior of the body." (Eph. 5:22-23.) Likewise, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother. . . (Eph. 6:1-2.) In the church, God has also set up a system of authority, so that chaos and division may be prevented. He has appointed elders (bishops, presbyters, overseers, pastors) to rule. "But remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and consider the issues of their life, imitate their faith. . . . Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you." (Heb. 13:7, 17.) He defines who these men who have the rule over the congregation are in 1 Timothy 3:1-8, where their qualifications are listed. He lists their qualifications again in Titus 1:5-9. Their work is partially outlined in 1 Peter 5:1-3. In his greetings at the beginning of some of his epistles Paul recognizes the position of the bishops, or elders, as distinct from that of the members of the congregation: "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons." (Phil. 1:1.)
We are wise when we learn early in life to recognize the principle of submission to authority submitting ourselves to those who have properly constituted authority over us. The supreme authority is God. (Mark 12:28-30; Acts 4:18-20; 5:29.) We must also be subject to government: "Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God." (Rom. 13:1.) This is binding except when government requires something different from what God requires.
As mentioned above there is authority in the home. As shown also there is authority in the church. The elders, or bishops, are to be mature Christian men, living lives of influence as examples to the flock. When decisions are to be made for the congregation these men are to make the final decisions. Others of us are to respect their decisions. The only exception is when the elders are advocating and teaching and requiring something different from some clearly stated teaching of God in the Scriptures. When elders become unqualified to serve as elders, there is a plan of God for removing such: "Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear." (1 Tim. 5:19-20.) Let us, like David of old, respect "God's anointed," as he respected Saul because of his office. Whenever we forget to respect authority trouble results.