"Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and
the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of HIS GOVERNMENT
and PEACE there shall be no end... " (Isa 9:6,7).
Approximately 2,800 years ago Isaiah prophesied
of a coming ruler who would be called the "Prince of Peace." The
fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Jesus.
Commenting on His kingly dominion, the Apostle Paul assured
us that Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit would mark those who
accepted His government over their lives (Rom 14:17).
What describes Christ's government? What kind of governance
is it?
It most certainly is not humanistic government in which
every man is free to do "what feels good or right," regardless of its
impact on others. This is what the decadent male, hedonistic philosopher
advocates.
It is not freedom to live in sinful, unnatural homosexual or
lesbian relationships as advocated by some members of the Western "women's
liberation" movement. Neither is it ecclesiastical license which, in the
name of the Church and God, imposes autocratic unquestioned authority on
mankind.
The government of our Lord Jesus Christ is a government of
love, a government that blesses, that joins together and motivates men to a
closer walk with God and one another.
It is the purpose of
this study to familiarize us with this government of righteousness, peace and
joy in the Holy Spirit which our Lord desires to place over us in His
Church.
A. FOUR LEVELS OF
AUTHORITY GIVEN TO MANKIND
The four levels of authority reserved for mankind are
described in what follows. when properly
used, these will bring forth righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
These are:
1. Delegated
Authority
The Apostle Paul gives us this instruction regarding our
submission to the five ministry gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor
and teacher (Eph 4:11). "Obey them that have the rule over you and submit
yourselves: for they watch for your souls... " (Heb 13:17).
The word "rule" does not mean spiritual leaders
are to reign as ruthless dictators; that is, forcing their will on others.
Rather, it means to give "shepherd-like leadership" to others.
In the biblical sense, a shepherd is one who lays down his
life for the sheep, one who is totally dedicated to serving, protecting and
feeding. A shepherd is not one who "rules" but, rather, one who
"protects, cares for, loves and feeds." "...the good shepherd
gives his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).
Hebrews 13:17 should be translated, then, "Follow them
that exercise shepherd-like leadership,
and submit to their care, feeding and loving reproof; for they must give
account for your souls to the Chief Shepherd — Jesus!
a. Limits Of
Delegated Authority. The key to understanding the limits of delegated
authority is this:
1) Delegated authority never extends beyond one's responsibility;
and
2) Delegated authority never proceeds out of anything other than
responsibility.
For example, because you have responsibility for your wife
and children, you have authority in your home.
Why don't you have authority in the home of the family next
door? Because you don't have responsibility for that wife and her children.
Authority never extends beyond responsibility — it goes as far as
responsibility and no farther.
b. Church Leaders
Have Delegated Responsibility. One of the reasons God has established local
church congregations is this: It provides a context for the development of
working, practical, everyday relationships where people can become responsible
for each others' needs.
When a shepherd takes responsibility for the flock, he is
given the authority to feed, visit, defend, protect, care for and lovingly
discipline God's sheep.
Spiritual
leadership functions as God's representatives. As "...ambassadors for
Christ... we beseech you... on behalf of Christ..." (2 Cor 5:20).
"Instead of Christ being here," says Paul, "I'm here
representing Him, I'm His agent."
Church leaders only act in delegated responsibility in a
given situation, the same way Christ would, were He physically present. They
are agents representing Christ's concern for His Church and Its spiritual and
moral development.
Perhaps this can be best explained by an example of
"agency law."
Some years ago, a church leader was involved in a serious
traffic accident in which several people were critically injured. He was the
driver of the vehicle. Not only was the church leader sued, but also the
denomination to which he belonged.
The Court ruled that the denomination had to pay because, in
the view of the Court, the church leader was acting as an "agent" of
that organization. Not only was he liable, but the organization as well.
God operates in this way: He appoints church leaders to work
in His place, as His agents in shepherd-like authority which arises out of the
responsibility assumed. This is called delegated authority — the authority to
represent another and do as he would do if present. This authority goes only as
far as responsibility — no further.
2. Stipulative
Authority
This is the authority of contracts or legal agreements.
Contracts are drawn up wherein two parties (or groups) agree to carry out
specific actions based on mutual benefits if fulfilled and penalties if violated.
We'll enlarge more on this later.
3. Authority Of
Custom Or Tradition
Where there is an established practice which is accepted in
a culture or ethnic group, there develops the authority of custom and
tradition. Good tradition is accepted by everyone because it has proven itself
over the years to be for the common good.
In the New Testament Paul appeals to the authority of custom
when he writes, "If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no
other custom... " (1 Cor 11:16 pph).
An interesting conflict between stipulative authority and
the authority of custom occurs in the relationship between Jacob and his uncle,
Laban (Gen 29:9-30).
An agreement was made between them. The contract specified
that if Jacob worked seven years, Rachel, Laban's youngest daughter, would
become Jacob's wife.
However, when it came time to settle the contract, Laban
placed the authority of their custom ahead of his agreement with Jacob. He gave
Jacob his first-born daughter, Leah, not his second-born, Rachel. When Jacob awoke from his wedding night to
find Leah at his side, we can well imagine his anger as he demanded to know why
Laban had deceived him and broken the contract.
Laban replied, "The custom of marrying the oldest
daughter before the younger cannot be violated." If Jacob still wanted
Rachel, he would have to work an additional seven years. Reluctantly, Jacob
yielded to the authority of custom and tradition which, in this instance,
superseded the "stipulative authority" of their original
agreement.
4. Functional
Authority
a. Arises From
Ability. By functional authority, we mean the authority that arises out of
one's ability or capability. All of us have ability as a result of:
1) Birth: Natural
ability;
2) Training: That
which we developed through our education;
3) Grace: That
which homes and churches? It may be a failure to understand authority and its
role.
1. Problem 1: Men
Exercising Authority Belonging To God Alone
Problems are sure to follow if we take delegated,
stipulative, custom or functional authority and lift it to the level of
sovereign or veracious authority, or the authority of the conscience.
If men elevate their limited authority to the level of total
unquestioned authority, thus making themselves equal to or greater than God and
His Word, trouble is sure to follow.
It is so easy for church leaders to "play God" by
doing only that which appears right in their own eyes and claiming the
authority to do so.
This attitude is dangerous at any time, but doubly so when
it infects God's people and Church leadership.
It is clear from Scripture that God will not allow His
sovereign authority to be usurped.
Jesus said, "...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my
disciples... " (John 8:31). We are to subject ourselves to God and His
Word. We are never to take a religious, political or military leader and
ascribe to him sovereign or veracious authority.
Jesus clearly states that we are His disciples (only) if we
continue in His Word.
The Bible is the ultimate authority of faith and
practice. Jesus made this fact clear when He said, "...the scripture
cannot be broken [disobeyed] "(John 10:35).
2. Problem 2:
Religious Authority And Scripture Come Into Conflict
This point is dramatically illustrated in the confrontation
between Ananias the high priest and Paul the apostle. Here's the story: Paul is
defending himself in Jerusalem against accusations of certain Jewish religious
leaders. "...Paul earnestly beholding the council, said. Men and brethren,
I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
"And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood
by him to smite him on the mouth.
"Then said Paul unto him. God shall smite you, you
whitewashed tomb: for you sit to judge me after the law, and command me to be
smitten contrary to the law" (Acts
23:1-3). — Point One— Paul appealed to the authority of the Scripture
in this situation by letting Ananias know that the Scriptures had more
authority than he had as a judge.
"And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high
priest? Then Paul [apologized and] said, I knew not, brethren, that he was the
high priest; for it is written, Thou shall not speak evil of the ruler of thy
people" (Acts 23:4,5). — Point
Two—
By his apology to the high priest
(based on the scriptural admonition), Paul made it abundantly clear that he
also (as an apostle) was subject to the Scripture.
Let's carefully examine this event. Paul was
testifying. The high priest Ananias became incensed and ordered Paul to be hit
in the mouth — a gesture of censorship.
Paul, not knowing Ananias was a high priest, reacted by
calling him a "white-washed tomb" and appealed
to the Scriptures for redress. Paul's smiting was contrary to what the Bible
said concerning the conduct of judges. In this Paul was right, for the
Scriptures have more authority than any religious, political or military
official.
However, when Paul was told that he was speaking to the high
priest, he immediately apologized. Why?
Because the Scripture told him not to "... speak evil of the ruler of the
people...." The apostle was subject to the Scripture.
Even though the high priest was on a high level of authority
in the courtroom, neither the apostle's nor the high priest's authority was
equal to the authority of the Word of God.
By his actions in this story, Paul clearly illustrates that
the authority of the Scripture was higher authority than that of high priest or
apostle.
God does not give any man authority greater than the
Scriptures or equal to Himself. Nor does God give anyone the right to abridge
another man's conscience or to ask of anyone unquestioned obedience. Any and all authority must be examined in
the light of God's principles as outlined in His Word.
3. Problem 3:
Elevating Custom And Tradition Above The Authority Of The Bible
It is a serious error to practice religious customs or
traditions which are contrary to God's Word.
In the Gospel of Matthew, we read, "...Why do you also
transgress the commandments of God by your tradition?" (Matt 15:3).
Jesus pointed out to the religious leadership of His day
that they had taken their traditions and elevated them to a level higher than
the Scriptures. As a result, Jesus condemned them as hypocrites.
Mark's Gospel records Jesus' words as follows: "Howbeit...
they... teach for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the
commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men... "...Full well ye reject the commandment
of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour [give
financial support to] thy father and thy mother... But ye say, If a man shall
say to his father or mother. It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatever
you might be supported by me; he shall be free. And you allow him no more to do
what he should for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none
effect through your tradition..." (Mark 7:7,8,9,12,13).
The Scriptures commanded, "...Honor
[financially support] your father and mother..." (Exo 20:12). The Jews'
Oral Law [Tradition] said, "If you give the money that belongs to your
parents to the temple, you're excused from the commandment of Scripture
concerning parental care."
By
their traditions, they were cheating their parents out of their retirement income.
They were dedicating the money belonging to the parents to the temple. "...But in vain do they worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments [customs / traditions] of men'' (Matt
15:1-9).
We still do that today when we
elevate our church practices and traditions above God's Word. It is easy to
forget that custom and tradition have value only if they do not contradict the
Scriptures. Customs and traditions (no matter how many centuries old) — if
unbiblical, if contrary to the Scriptures — must be stopped.
a. Nothing Should Be Added To Christ's Work
On The Cross. I filmed Good Friday Easter celebrations in a country some years
ago. "Christian" flagellants
cut their backs with sharp glass until the blood came. They mounted crowns of
thorns on their heads and marched for miles through the hot tropical sun,
flailing themselves with whips. The
ceremonies concluded in a large open field where several, with nails driven
through the palms of their hands, were lifted on crosses.
One of them appeared
to go into a demonic type seizure or fit when brought down and carried to a
nearby house. (It may have been extreme shock — I couldn't tell). He was
screaming and flailing about uncontrollably.
This was all being done with the blessings of the leadership of their
church — in clear violation of the Scriptures.
To those in the New Testament who trusted in cutting themselves, Paul
wrote this warning: "If ye be
circumcised [cut your flesh] Christ shall profit you nothing. Christ is become
of no effect unto you... ye are fallen from grace " (Gal 5:2-4).
We fall from grace by trying to obtain merit
or blessings through our own works of righteousness. To do this implies that
the work of Christ on the cross was not sufficient and we have to add our good
works to His work to be saved or blessed. This does not honor the cross. It
dishonors it. While these things have
outward religious (and even spiritual) appearance, they clearly interfere with
the work of the Holy Spirit in perfecting us.
I don't doubt the sincerity of those who keep relics, burn candles, pray
to saints and carry on many other traditions for which there is no biblical
blessing or authority. They are very sincere, just as those who flail
themselves in Easter celebrations.
But
to such, the Apostle Paul issues this serious warning: "I only wish these teachers who want
you to cut yourselves... would cut themselves off from you and leave you alone
" (Gal 5:12 tlb).
Paul was very
disturbed because the traditions of the Jews were being imposed on the Gentile
believers in Galatia. His Epistle to the Galatian believers should be memorized
by every sincere servant of God and its solemn warnings heeded.
I appeal to men and women of God everywhere
to renounce practices that are unbiblical.
Submit to the authority of God and His Word (the Bible). Do not let
religious or other authority keep you bound in unbiblical traditions and
practices.
The Holy Spirit has dealt
with some of you and you took your stand for the Lord. But now, under pressure
from religious leaders, you are turning your backs on what the Holy Spirit told
you. Don't do that! Hold true to God and His Word and you will be blessed and
approved by God.
"I advise you to
obey only the Holy Spirit's instructions. He will tell you where to go and what
to do, and then you won't always be doing the wrong things..." (Gal 5:16
tlb).
Source: The Shepherd's Staff
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