Scripture?
Matt. 10:1,40
1And 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....13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you...40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent meMatt. 16:19 and 18:18 -- 18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven
Luke 9:1 1Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. and 10:19 19Behold, 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. then Luke 10:16 16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. and Luke 22:29 29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; and Acts 20:28 28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
The authority comes with a price as the sub-shepherds who fail will be doubly judged by God
They have a duty to ensure that what was taught to them by their teachers and to their teachers by THEIR teachers, all the way back to Christ, is held true.