From his congregation, the Body of Christ.
The fact that THE SON OF GOD INSTITUTED the office of The Word and Sacraments also in the New Testament cannot be doubted. The church has been commanded to call and install ministers, and to this has been added, in the first place, the promise that GOD APPROVES of those who have been called by the voice of the church (my emphases)
-Martin Chemnitz
Where did Paul get his authority?
A Pastor has no authority, he is given a responsibility by the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. Authority implies control, and the ability to mete out punishment. A Pastor is simply a Shepherd keeping his flock safe and fed. Mostly with the knowledge of the Word, but also feeding the physically hungry of his flock.
>> If a man or woman steps up behind a pulpit and speaks to us authoritatively on matters of theology, why do we automatically accept this authority?
I don’t automatically accept his (or her) authority. I accept their calling to say something and listen. If their teachings are valid in accordance with Scripture, then I accept their teaching. If their leadership is in accordance with Scripture, then I accept their authority.
Not tough, not “slippery” at all. If the chain of authority is not clear, it’s probably because it isn’t present.
You can find the clear chain of proper authority in the One, True, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Christ Jesus.
But they speak and spread the truth as they know it.
What authority?
Speak for yourself, please. You might “automatically”accept someone else’s authority, but “we” do not. Generally being a civil person, I will give such a person the benefit of the doubt upon initial introduction, but if/when my ‘BS’ detector starts going off I will not hesitate to question ANYONE.
Actually, they are quite easy. Christ did not make it hard for His followers.
Christ told, and Scripture contains the answers:
First, Christ wanted us to be ONE in faith and beliefs: “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1Cor 1:10 Unfortunately, many Christians cannot agree on what the meaning of the word “is” is, as in “This IS my body”
Second, Scripture tells us what is the "pillar and foundation of Truth” And a hint – it is not Scripture - “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1Tim 3:15
Third, Scripture tells us a little about that Church Christ established - “Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Mat 16:17-18
Now what Church had Peter as its first leader?
I know there are may opinions on authority, but please use Scripture to support your opinion.
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Great questions....Paul said it best in Acts 17:11 - be like the Bereans. The only authority that you must lean on is the Bible - the Word of God. You must not be lazy, but judge everything you hear according to Torah, the Judges and prophets. He went to the Synagogue in Berea and they compared everything that Paul said against the scriptures. Then they believed. Don’t put your trust in any man or institution, but in the Word of God. If you don’t understand something, ask the person that is “teaching you”. If he or he can’t show you why they say something, then take what they say with a grain of salt. Most Churches have a Pastor(s) or Priests. If they can not teach you understanding, then keep searching the scriptures. The Pastors are not responsible for your understanding or your relationship with God - you are. God has put so many resources for your learning if you just seek Him. All you have to do is to do what you are commanded to do in Matthew 6:33 - Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Seek him first where He is - in your heart. In my opinion, of course, but your salvation doesn’t lie in a Church or Synagogue, but starts at the closest place to you - your heart.
Getting behind a pulpit is a different calling. That is a gifting from the Holy Spirit and God will equip those He calls. Not everyone has the same gift. Wanting to is not the same has having it. Jesus is the Head of the church and the under Sheppard is the pastor. If a Messenger of God is an angel, then the church preacher can be called an angel, aka Revelation, "The angel of the church at Ephesus".
The question for the lay person is, Is this person called of God or is he a pretender. That is where the gift of discernment of spirits come in. We are not given a gift of discernment, but a gift of discernment of spirits. We should be able to tell if a person is led by the Lord or is faking it.
If the person is not following the Lord, it will quickly become evident.
many today get their authority from a church governmental body to teach "their" dogma. That may or may not be the doctrine of the Bible. This is the problem with seminaries today. They teach what man has decided is "truth" in order for the facility to turn out a pastor in their denomination. Most teach error for the entirety of their term as a pastor and never have the Holy Spirit teach them the Bible Truth.
If God has revealed the truth to you, you certainly have the authority to start your own church and preach there. Ordination has nothing to do with anything of the Bible. Any authority worth having comes from Jesus and His work on the cross. When Peter told Jesus that He was the Christ in Matthew, and The Father Himself had to tell him this, Jesus established His church on the Holy Spirit revealing who Jesus was as the cornerstone of His new church. If you confess Jesus as Lord and Savior as the Son of God, you have the authority to preach that. So just having your own testimony that Jesus saved you and He is the Son of God makes you a member of God's family and gives you the right to be a Son of God. They pretty much have the authority from the King to represent Him as a Son.
A pastor gets his authority in the same measure he lays down his life for his flock.
Reread Jeremiah 23 for God's heart on the matter:
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.
A good pastor has no authority.
All authority flows through him.
A priest receives his authority through the reception of the Sacrament of Holy Orders administered by the Bishop.
Non-Catholics do not have that passing on of authority such as this.
His butt.
Very very very dangerous to accept the spiritual authority of any man or organization. To add to the chaos you can’t trust yourself. Trust only God. But how to know? We live on earth and a plain of confusion.