Monday 8 January 2018

Chapter 2 - Limits Of Authority

"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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