CHURCH 21 – The Biblical concept of authority

CHURCH 21 – The Biblical concept of Authority

  • In this study first a word study about “authority” in the Bible is presented. Thoughts drawn from the mentioned scriptures are given in orange.
  • In the second half the findings are presented as a summary, including a discussion of the four human institutions God gives authority to.

Word study “authority”

Two different words are translated “authority” in the Old Testament:

1)    H8633            תֹּקֶף              tôqeph            3x                    Est 9:29, 10:2, Dan 11:17
  • Meaning: might or (figuratively) positiveness: – authority, power, strength.
  • Est 9:29            “Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.”
2)    H 7235            רָבָה              râbâh              224x
  • Meaning: to increase, to be in authority, to bring up, to enlarge, to excel …
  • Prv 29:2     “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked rule, they mourn.”

Seven different words are translated “authority” (in English) in the New Testament:

1)    G1849            ἐξουσία             exousia                  103x
  • Meaning: ability; privilege, force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence, authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
  • Listing of verses see later.
2)    G715               κατεξουσιάζω  katexousiazo       2x                    Mth 25:20, Mrk 10:42
  • Meaning: to have or wield full privilege over, to exercise authority.
  • Mth 20:25       “But Jesus called them to himself, and said, You know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.”
  • Mrk 10:42       “But Jesus called them to him, and said to them, You know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; their great ones exercise authority upon them.”
3)    G1850            ἐξουσιάζω          exousiazo             4x                   Luk 22:25, 1 Cor,18:50, 1 Cor 7:4
  • Meaning: to control, to exercise authority upon, to bring under the power of.
  • Luk 22:25        “And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.”
  • 1 Cor 6:12        “All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
4)    G1413            δυνάστης            dunastēs                3x                  Luk 1:52, Acts 8:27, 1 Tim 6:15
  • Meaning: a ruler, officer, a person of great authority, mighty, potentate.
  • Acts 8:27       “And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians.”
5)    G247              ὑπεροχή               huperoche             2x                 1 Cor 2:1, 1 Tim 2:2
  • Meaning: prominence, superiority (in rank or character), authority, excellency.
  • 1 Tim 2:2      “For kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
6)    G31                αὐθεντέω              authenteo             1x                1 Tim 2:12
  • Meaning: to act of oneself, to dominate, to usurp authority over.
  • 1 Tim 2:12      “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”
7)    G2003             ἐπιταγή                   epitage                  7x                Rom 16:26, 1 Cor 7:6,25, 2 Cor 8:8, 1 Tim 1:1, Tit 1:3
  • Meaning: an injunction, decree, commandment, authoritativeness, authority
  • Tit 2:15       “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise you.”

Word study “authority” (G1849, exousia) and thoughts

God the Father has authority

  • Luk 12:5       “But I will tell you whom you shall fear: Fear him, which after he has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say unto you, Fear him.”
  • Act 1:7          “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.”
  • Rom 9:21      “Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?”
  • Jud 1:25       “To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, now and ever.”

God has all authority and is the Source of all authority. All others receive their authority from him. Authority is given. Authority is given by God.

  • Rom 13:1       “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
  • Rom 13:2       “Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”

To resist true authority is to go against God who instituted that authority.

God creates beings and institutions with authority

  • Eph 1:1        “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: …”
  • Eph 3:10      “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,…”
  • Col 1:16       “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: …”
  • Col 2:10        “And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: …”
  • Col 2:15        “And having spoiled principalities and powers. he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
  • 1 Pet 3:22    “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

All beings and institutions with authority are created by God and given their authority by God. They have authority, but are still under God and Jesus. In the end those that abused their authority will be terminated or brought under God’s control. Authority is accountable to God.

God lays down what behavior will lead to what right or authority

  • Jhn 17:2      “As you hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.”
  • Rev 20:6      “Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a 1000 years.”
  • Rev 22:14    “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

Jesus uses his authority in us humans’ best interest: eternal life. Humans’ right to be sons of God, to eternal life, to resurrection, to abolishing of death it given by God and dependent on criteria, but given freely to all who fulfill the criteria.

Jesus is given authority by the Father

  • Mth 28:18    “And Jesus came … to them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

God gives all authority (unlimited authority) to Jesus. All other authorities will come under Jesus or will be fulfilled in Jesus.

Jesus has authority

  • Mth 7:29     “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
  • Mth 9:6       “But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then he said to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go to your house.”
  • Mth 9:8       “But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power to men.”
  • Mrk 1:22     “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”
  • Mrk 1:27     “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority he commands the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.”
  • Mrk 2:10     “But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he said to the sick of the palsy), …”
  • Luk 4:32      “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.”
  • Luk 4:36      “And they were all amazed, and spoke among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.”
  • Luk 5:24      “But that you may know that the Son of man has power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto you, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go to your house.”
  • Jhn 5:27       “And has given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”
  • Jhn 10:18    “No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
  • Jhn 1:12      “But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:…”

Jesus has authority in teaching (truth). He has authority over sicknesses, evil spirits, forgiveness, to hold onto his own life or to lay down his own life. He has authority to give life. He has authority to judge.

In the end all authority will be rightly back with Jesus > Father

  • Rev 12:10     “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”
  • 1 Cor 15:24   “Then comes the end, when he will have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have put down all rule and all authority and power.”

Jesus’ authority questioned by the leaders

  • Mth 21:23   “And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you do these things? and who gave you this authority?”
  • Mth 21:24    “And Jesus answered and said to them, I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.”
  • Mth 21:2      “And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”
  • Mrk 11:28     “And say unto him, By what authority do you do these things? and who gave you this authority to do these things?”
  • Mrk 11:29     “And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.”
  • Mrk 11:3      “And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
  • Luk 20:2     “And spoke to him, saying, Tell us, by what authority do you do these things? or who is he that gave you this authority?”
  • Luk 20:8     “And Jesus said to them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Even those opposed to Jesus cannot escape the fact that he has authority. They question where he got it from. Their logic is: His authority is either from God of from Satan. Since he doesn’t keep the Law (as we think he should), he can’t be of God. Therefore he must be of Satan.

Jesus delegates authority to his disciples

  • Mth 10:1    “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
  • Mrk 3:15     “And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: …”
  • Mrk 6:7      “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits.”
  • Luk 9:1      “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”
  • Luk 10:19    “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
  • Rev 11:6      “These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues.”

Jesus gives his disciples authority over sickness, over evil spirits, over dangerous things, over forgiveness, over nature … and the power to judge. Essentially
a delegation of his own authority.

Good use of authority > increase of authority

  • Luk 19:17   “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”
  • Rev 2:26    “And he who overcomes, and keeps my works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations: …”

God will increase the authority of those who use the already given authority appropriately.

Examples of lawful authority: government, military, leadership
Political leaders called authorities

  • Luk 12:11     “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take no thought how or what thing you shall answer, or what you shall say: …”
  • Luk 20:20     “And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.”

About the institution of government

  • Mth 8:9     “For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.”
  • Luk 7:8      “For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.”
  • Luk 23:7     “And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.”
  • Rom 1:13     “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
  • Rom 13:2     “Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”

Normal delegation of leadership

  • Mrk 13:34     “For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.”

Normal delegation of government authority, here negative

  • Act 9:14     “And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.”
  • Act 26:10     “Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.”
  • Act 6:12     “Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests …”

Government’s authority is instituted by God, needs to be respected

  • Jhn 19:10    “Then Pilate said to him, You don’t speak to me? do you not know that I have power to crucify you, and have power to release you?”
  • Jhn 19:11     “Jesus answered, You would have no power at all against me, except it was given to you from above: therefore he that delivered me to you has the greater sin.”
  • Rom 13:3     “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: …”
  • Tit 3:1     “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready9 to every good work.”

Examples of authority: spiritual

  • 1 Cor 9:12     “If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.”
  • 1 Cor 9:18     “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.”
  • 2 Cor 10:8     “For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: …”
  • 2 Cor 13:10     “Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.”
  • 2 The 3:9     “Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.”
  • Act 8:19     “Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.”
  • Heb 13:10    “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.”

Examples of lawful authority: economic

  • Act 5:4    “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
  • 1 Cor 9:4    “Have we not power to eat and to drink?”
  • 1 Cor 8:9    “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.”

Examples of lawful authority: family

  • 1 Cor 9:5    “Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?”
  • 1 Cor 9:6    “Or only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?”
  • 1 Co 11:10    “For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.”

Humans giving authority to Satan

  • Rev 17:13    “These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”

Here evil humans (kings) give their authority to Satan.

Satan has authority

  • Luk 22:53    “When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
  • Act 2:18    “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
  • Eph 2:2    “Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: …”
  • Eph 6:12    “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
  • Col 1:13     “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: …”

Satan lost his authority the moment he rebelled against God, though he retained considerable power inherent in his nature. If Satan has any authority (“right to rule”) now it is an authority delegated to him by humans who do his will.

Satan delegates authority

  • Rev 13:2     “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.”
  • Rev 13:4     “And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”
  • Rev 13:5      “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”
  • Rev 13:7      “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindred, and tongues, and nations.”
  • Rev 13:12     “And he exerciseু all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”
  • Rev 17:12     “And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.”

Satan delegates the authority given to him by the wrong choices of men to those doing his will, whether spirits or humans.

Satan promising authority

  • Luk 4:6   “And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.”

Satan claims he has authority over the kingdoms of the world. This is likely not true (or again only to the degree humans obey him). That Satan would give it to Jesus is definitely a lie.

Authorized judgment

  • Rev 6:8    “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”
  • Rev 9:3    “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.”
  • Rev 9:10    “And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.”
  • Rev 9:19     “For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.”
  • Rev 14:18     “And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.”
  • Rev 16:9     “And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.”
  • Rev 18:1     “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.”

God will bring about partial judgments on men, and finally full judgments on evil spirits and evil men.

Individual’s authority over oneself Gen 1-2

  • 1 Cor 7:37    “Nevertheless he that stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, he does well.”

Basic principles

  • To have authority means “to have the right to make decisions” or “to lawfully rule”.
  • It is distinguished from “power”, which is brute ability, but not necessarily lawful.
  • Authority originates in God. God has all authority. All authority comes from God.
  • Authority is always given. Authority cannot be taken. If one ‘takes authority’ he really ‘takes power’.
  • God has chosen to give (or delegate) authority to humans and institutions.
  • The basic institutions he has given authority to are:
    • the individual individual over oneself
    • the family parents over children
    • the government chosen representatives over people
    • the church spiritual leaders over followers
  • One can have authority but no power. One can have power but no authority.
  • Godly justice or the godly order is when the right humans and institutions are exercising their authority rightly (right authority and the appropriate power to act).
  • Human authority always has a limit.
  • Constant interplay of the different authorities of the people involved.

Four institutions with God-given authority

1) The authority of an individual over him- or herself               Gen 1-2
  • This one is so basic, that it is almost hard to recognize in the Bible or quote a verse for.
  • God has made humans in his image. Like God humans are selves, are persons, endowed with consciousness and the ability to think, feel, will, decide and act.
  • A human is not sovereign over everything, but he is sovereign over some things, primarily himself.
  • Human sovereignty is real. God has limited his sovereignty over humans to achieve human sovereignty. God will not dictate our thoughts, desires, decisions and actions. He will not overrule our decisions not wipe away the consequences of our actions. God gave humans the power to choose against God’s will, to reject God. Humans do not have to abide by him, they are not forced to spend eternity with him.
  • Humans have an own will and own sovereignty. This is visible for example with communication: A word spoken to a person doesn’t just ‘slip into his mind’, it is recognized as “a message coming from outside” and distinguished from own thinking. The person can then accept it (agree with it, believe it, place importance on it), or label it as doubtful, or reject it outright (disbelieve it, disagree with it). For example: a gospel broadcast doesn’t make everybody believe, even if it is truth. For details see “COM 12 – Foundations”.
  • This is also exemplified in Jesus’ life: he speaks truth, reaches out to people, shows the Father’s love, does miracles, masterfully teaches, convincingly argues … but people can walk away unconvinced, even hostile.
  • Self-government is the first real job and challenge, the primary battleground: to learn to lead oneself, to look at reality, to acknowledge consequences of actions, to not blame others but to take responsibility, to set goals, to do what it takes to reach them … all this is the had path to maturity and self-government.

 

Limits of a person’s sovereignty

  • This sovereignty has limits:
    • My sovereignty cannot overstep other people’s sovereignty. To use others, to deceive others, to dominate others, to hurt others is not acceptable.
    • My sovereignty cannot abolish the consequences to my actions that happen in a real world. God is trying to educate me about this real world, I can ignore him but consequences will still occur.
    • Since humans are not the creators of their own lives and even their very sovereignty is a gift given, they are not allowed to destroy or terminate themselves.
  • This sovereignty is dignity, potential, temptation, test and freedom all in one. With sovereignty comes accountability.
2) The authority of parents over children                   Gen 1-2
  • God establishes this by the very way children are conceived, born and dependent for years on caring parents.
  • Exo 20:12, Deu 5:16   “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”
  • Exo 21:15    “Whoever strikes father or mother shall be put to death.”
  • Lev 20:9    “All who curse father or mother shall be put to death.”
  • Deu 27:16    “Cursed by anyone who dishonors father or mother.”
  • Eph 6:1    “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
  • Col 3:20    “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord.”
  • God very clearly institutes the family as the place where children will grow up and invests the parents with real authority.
  • A child, especially as a young child but really though many years, is very at the mercy and quite literally in the power of his or her parents. It will eat what they provide, it will live where they live, it will enjoy or suffer the environment they create, it will be deeply influenced by their worldview.
  • God warmly affirms parents – even imperfect parents – in their parenthood:
  • Luk 11:13 “If you..who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children
  • Though not all parents are good or safe, God holds that usually parents are the best guardians for their children, and that no other institution (government, church, school) does a better job at raising them.

 

Limits of parental authority

  • As with all authorities, parental authority has limits:
    • Deu 13:6-11 no idolatry even if enticed by family. Faithfulness to God has to take priority over family pressures
    • Deu 5:17 “You shall not murder.” Parents have no right to the life of a child, or to end the life of a child, by extrapolation to hurt a child. This includes a prohibition for so-called honor killings.
    • Deu 18:10 do not sacrifice children / make them pass through fire.
    • Lev 18:21 no offspring sacrificed to Molech. A child cannot be sacrificed in any way to its parents’ religious convictions.
    • Deu 23:17-18 no children into temple prostitution. No right of the parent to force or sell a child into prostitution (religious or otherwise).
    • Lev 18:6-23 no sexual abuse of children, grand-children
    • No right of parents (or relatives) to sexually use a child.
  • These examples may look extreme, but are of extreme importance: The life, safety, soundness, sexuality, body and mind of the child are sacrosanct.
  • Gen 2:24 man who marries must leave parents:
  • No right of parents to continued priority and first allegiance in the case of a married child. Parental authority has to be one of loving, nurturing, developing and releasing, not a demanding of continued obedience, unchecked loyalty or total allegiance.
  • The command to honor parents is universal (not age limit), but the command to obey parents is addressed to children (age limit).
  • For more details, see “FAM 07 – Parental Authority & Limits”
3) The authority of government                                Gen 9
  • The need to address crime is implicit in God addressing Cain’s hatred and finally murder of Abel (Gen 4:1-16). Injustice escalating is implicit in Lamech’s revengeful words (Gen 4:23-24) and emerging human leadership in the “heroes of old, warriors of renown” (Gen 6:4).
  • But it is after the flood where God for the first time explicitly ordains government, probably precisely to prevent or discourage a situation like before the flood: “Whoever sheds the blood of a human, by a human shall that person’s blood be shed; for in his own image God made humankind” (Gen 9:6).
  • When Israel has become a numerous people and is freed from Egypt, God establishes their first government. It seems that this is the first of many significant interventions of God to make Israel into a functioning nation (Exo 18:13-27, Deu 1:9-18).
  • In the transition period Moses had been the leading figure, with Aaron at his side, but now leadership is broadened: in a participative process representatives of the people are chosen for the function of judge (judiciary) and official (executive) as described in Deu 1:13-18 and 16:18-20. For details see “GOV 01 – Appointing leaders” and “GOV02 – Judges”.
  • God gives the right to choose political leaders to the people (all tribes and persons), who then choose representatives for themselves. Therefore the authority of government comes from the people they govern.
  • But an elected government has the authority to hold everyone accountable to the law. It’s very function is to ensure just judgment, which is the same as lawfulness in the land. In New Testament language: the government must restrict and punish evil people so that normal people can live in peace (Rom 13:1-7).
  • So government is a God-ordained institution with true authority. The authority comes from being chosen by the people governed and extends to ensuring they are lawful.
  • But not beyond:

 

Limits of governmental authority

  • Government has no right to control people, make demands on their allegiance and
    cooperation beyond the law. Government must protect the sovereignty of the individual (the individual freedom of thought, conscience, religion, speech, movement, association etc.)
  • Paul expresses this like this: “Pay to all what is due them – taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due” (Rom 13:7). Paul based this on Jesus, though Jesus brings in the contrast “Pay to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Mrk 12:17). For the government to demand absolute allegiance, total obedience or worship is a total overstepping of its boundaries.
4) The authority of spiritual leadership                          Gen 14ff
  • The first mention of an acknowledging of spiritual leadership is Abraham being offered bread and wine to and blessed by Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High (Gen 14:17-20).
  • Genesis doesn’t give much context, other than that Abraham, after his victory over the four kings in order to rescue Lot, makes a clear distinction between the King of Sodom, from whom he will accept nothing, and the King of Salem, whom he gives tithes to (first mention of tithe in the Bible). The author of the book of Hebrews links Melchisedek to Jesus (whether as a type or an epiphany), whom Abraham acknowledges as superior, as of God and as a spiritual leader.
  • At Sinai God chooses the tribe of Levi to serve him after they have proven zeal for God in difficult circumstances (Exo 32:29). After this God chooses Moses’ brother Aaron as the first High Priest, and his sons after him as the priestly family. The choosing of the Levites and Aaron’s family are in perpetuity, priesthood becomes a hereditary function. The priesthood is a thoroughly established and stable institution.
  • God later chooses prophets from various tribes at various times to perform different functions in a pattern quite different from the priesthood, but these prophets are none the less spiritual leaders and God’s mouthpiece.
  • In the New Testament God by his Spirit gives different gifts, roles and functions to different believers. Paul says about spiritual gifts: “All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses” and “Now there are varieties of gifts … services … activities, but it it the same God who activates all of them in everyone … for the common good” (1 Cor 12:11, 12:4-7). Again there is no merit or exclusivity or hierarchy of gifts mentioned.
  • Though for elders and deacons character requirements are put in place (Titus 1:5-9, 1 Tim 3:1-13), it is important to realize that titles like “apostle”, “evangelist”, “teacher”, “elder” etc. were used quite fluidly in the first church with none of the rigidity of today. For more detail see “CHU 05 – Church leadership”.
  • The function of the priests was in intercession and presentation of sacrifices (on behalf of the people to God) and in representation and law teaching (on behalf of God to the people). Priests were mediators and were meant to be examples of obedient lives and lawful behavior. For more details see “CHU 01 – Priests”.
  • The function of the prophets was to be a mouthpiece for God, giving people God’s perspective on their current situation, convicting of sin, calling to repentance and showing the future fruit of either obedience of disobedience. (Only in the case of unsolvable legal disputes or unknown murder cases did the priests have a role, Deu 17:8-13, 21:5). For more details see “CHU 04 – Prophets”.
  • It is clear then that the authority of spiritual leaders comes from directly God. It is not elective nor representative, but by God’s design and will only. It is not depending on the merit of the individual person (one became priest not by being good) but solely on God in his sovereignty choosing this person as his representative.

 

Limits of spiritual authority

  • It is very important to realize that spiritual leaders had no political power, no tools in hand to force people’s obedience or enforce their will other than being a voice of conscience and living exemplary lives.
  • If people were guilty of immorality that was also illegal, not priests but the government was the institution to act. But many things God calls immoral were not punishable under the law.
  • The only disciplinary power a spiritual leader had was excommunication (Deu 23:1-2 “not admitted to the assembly”, 1 Cor 5:5).
  • A spiritual leader therefore should not command agreement, conscience or obedience. A spiritual leader should teach, model, explain, admonish, challenge and – if necessary – warn, but he or she must respect the sovereignty of the individual.
  • This distinguishes true spiritual leadership from spiritual control like that found in cults.
  • Paul counsels clearly: “Test everything, hold fast to what is good” (1 The 5:21). The final sovereignty over the mind, heart and conscience of an individual is the individual him- or herself. They are commanded to test. They are commanded to decide what to do with an incoming message, even from a spiritual leaders.
  • Paul strongly counsels against overstepping one’s own conscience (Rom 14:13-23). The highest authority in a person’s life is them submitting themselves under God and acting to the best of their understanding of the Word of God, the Spirit’s guidance and their conscience. A spiritual leader counseling people to go against that is on very difficult ground indeed.

 

Balance of submission to authority and obeying conscience

  • There is a fine balance here: The importance of submission to leadership (a general Biblical principle) and the importance of never acting against conscience.
  • Some people wander from one spiritual leadership to another and whenever a leader starts addressing needed issues of character or behavior, the person doesn’t receive correction or conviction and moves on to the next church or leader. By doing so this person stunts their growth, development and potential.
  • On the other hand there are well-meaning but over-bearing spiritual leaders which exert too much influence, even power over an individual. If so, a genuine Christian setting takes on cult like characteristics, throwing the person into much confusion, deep insecurity and heart-rending internal conflict. Especially in the case of young, inexperienced and not yet mature persons this can be devastating and very hard to resist.
  • Often this is compounded by hierarchical church structure and a theology heavy on submission. Actually, settings like that become unwitting temptations for spiritual leaders to overstep boundaries and not only hurt people deeply but be pulled into wrong behavior themselves.
CHURCH