Jesus Alone, Is the head of the Church...but he delegates his authority to men

https://billrandles.wordpress.com/2018/05/23/jesus-alone-is-the-head-of-the-church-but-he-delegates-authority-to-men/ ^ | 05-22-18 | Bill Randles

[pastorbillrandles]

And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,(Ephesians 1:22)

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23)

But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.1 Corinthians 11:3) He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.(Collossians 1:18)

Scripture is very clear about the fact that there is one head of the church…the LORD Jesus Christ. He is the source, the sole authority, His is the final Word on any subject, To be conformed to His Image is the goal of every expression of the church, there can be no doubt, His is the pre-eminence.

It is a gross distortion for any church to set up any man as “the Vicar of Christ” , the church is not to be man-centered, and it is possible that men can enter into the church and subvert the place of Christ in the people’s hearts. That is one of the definitions of a cult…when a man takes the place in the church of the Head, who is Christ.

The Apostle John gives an example, Diotrophes,

I wrote unto the Church, but Diotrephes which loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore if I come, I will call to your remembrance his deeds which he doeth, prattling against us with malicious words, and not therewith content, neither he himself receiveth the brethren, but forbideth them that would, and thrusteth them out of the Church. ( 3 John 9-10)

Diotrophes displayed an unChristian spirit, first of all, in that He loved the Pre-eminence. In other words, He regarded himself as “First” among the Saints, and the Chief Believer. He put his own word and desires above even the Apostles, and would kick people out of the church for the crime of accepting the teaching of the Apostles and citing the Apostles as authoritative.

The teaching of the Apostles is the only authoritative source of instruction for the church, other than the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament. The church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets and no Pastor, Elder, Prophet, Apostle or Evangelist has any right whatsoever to supersede them.

The mark of whether or not a ministry is even of God, has to do with whether or not they will ‘hear the Apostles”;

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.( I John 4:6)

Having said that, it is also true that Jesus ordained for the church principles of government, which grant to men delegated authority for the edification of the Church. Jesus is not personally going to exercise church discipline in a given situation, He has authorized Elders and leaders to do so. Paul set Titus in Crete and Timothy in the church of Ephesus to “set things in order”,

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:( I Timothy 1:3-5)

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: Titus 1:3)

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith; (1 Timothy 1:3-4 )

My point is that within the church there are authoritative positions, ordained for the purpose of order and edification. All Christians are equal and there is a priesthood of every believer, but there is also a God ordained ministry, gifted and delegated with authority to carry out their labor of love and mercy.

Titus and Timothy were not to be overbearing, but neither were they to be timid. They were appointed to ordain elders, and command certain to cease and desist from their false doctrines, and to see to it that there was public reading of scripture, correction of the erring in doctrine. All of these tasks require the use of authority. The church is not a democracy, there are officers in the church with responsibilities, which is the flip side of authority.

Even within Eldership, there are different functions and tasks; there are Elders who administrate primarily, and there are teaching Elders,

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.( I Timothy 5:11)

The Church is to be led by a variety of gifts and ministries each having the responsibility and authority according to their gifting. Obviously the prime model of leadership is to set an example, but there are times when Authority is exercised,

These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.(Ephesians 4:11-12)

It looks like Timothy was expected to wield God given authority, to command and teach… while at the same time live a life of an example… . The delegated authority has limits, which extend to the level of responsibility, no one is allowed to be a dictator or autocrat in the house of God. It extends to the standard of teaching and conduct within the church, and to the regulation of the ordinances , etc..

My point i that within the church there are legitimate cases where individuals wield delegated authority within the scope of their calling. This is neither autocratic or inappropriate, as long as it is done in the context of a properly functioning local church.

[DesertRhino]

He designates his authority to men? Ok cool, just show me a note to that effect, signed “JH of Nazareth” that designates you. Until then, you and I stand as equals before God.

Oh, Make sure it’s notarized.

[FatherofFive]

He designates his authority to men? Ok cool, just show me a note to that effect, signed “JH of Nazareth” that designates you.

“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

[righttackle44]

He designates his authority to men? Ok cool, just show me a note to that effect, signed “JH of Nazareth” that designates you. Until then, you and I stand as equals before God.

Oh, Make sure it’s notarized.

Don't need an notarized note. It's in Scripture, smart mouth.

In the Gospels:
"And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these…” – Matt. 10:1-2

Jesus speaking:
"19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20

It's in Paul's letters:
"God, who had sent Peter on a mission to the Jews, was now using me to preach to the Gentiles." Galatians 2:8

Finally, the word apostle MEANS "sent forth." Jesus sent fort the original 12. Then Paul was designated an Apostle, and he passed on pastor responsibility to Timothy and other pastors. In these days, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to Christians in Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, and 1 Peter 4:11.

Those gifts are used in service to the Church. So you and I stand spiritually equal in Church before God, but not in calling or service. And Christians are called to be submissive to those placed in spiritual authority over us: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrew 13:17. So then who placed those in Spiritual authority the Church? In the context of the Hebrews 13, Paul is obviously and apparently writing of those placed in spiritual authority over us by the Lord God Himself.

So aren't you speaking in rebellious opposition? If so, then the Lord rebuke you.

[pastorbillrandles]

How about Acts 16:18 ? But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. BTW He delegates, not designates. We are both equals before God already. That has nothing to do with what I am talking about.

[FatherofFive]

"So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.” John 20:19-23

Looks like Christ delegated the authority to forgive sins to the men he established as His priesthood.

[Responsibility2nd]

In I Timothy and in Titus, He instructed men to be elders and deacons over the local church. They have authority over us, and they are accountable to God for the job they do.

This reply - along with all the many others - leads me to think you may wish FR had a feature to allow you to take back your snarky post.

But oh well. Live and learn.

[Salvation]

**The teaching of the Apostles is the only authoritative source of instruction for the church, other than the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament. The church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets and no Pastor, Elder, Prophet, Apostle or Evangelist has any right whatsoever to supersede them. **

Amen.

And do most people know who the rightful successor to Christ and the apostles is?

[GingisK]

Given the current Pope, this requires some discernment. Mankind is downright unreliable, so I have my own relationship with the Father through Christ. In short, the clergy can kiss my enormous ass.

[ealgeone]

Read ahead to Acts where we see how the disciples actually did this.

Hint: It wasn't in a confessional booth and the people repenting didn't have to say a bazillion Hail Mary's or do other "penance" for their forgiveness.

[ifinnegan]

“And do most people know who the rightful successor to Christ and the apostles is?”

Are you trying to say their are successors who will propitiate the sins of the world? Or who will write new scripture, add to the Bible? Or present additional Gospel or doctrine?

[ealgeone]

>>**The teaching of the Apostles is the only authoritative source of instruction for the church, other than the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament. The church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets and no Pastor, Elder, Prophet, Apostle or Evangelist has any right whatsoever to supersede them. **<<

Amen.

And do most people know who the rightful successor to Christ and the apostles is?

It isn't the RCC.

God can and does call men to serve His kingdom. Paul is a good example of this. He was not one of the original disciples, yet God called him to minister to the Gentiles.

God still calls His servants to this day.

[ealgeone]

Are you trying to say their are successors who will propitiate the sins of the world? Or who will write new scripture, add to the Bible? Or present additional Gospel or doctrine?

Roman Catholicism has already done this along with the Mormons.

At the Council of Trent, the Roman Catholic Church official proclaimed their man made derived "Sacred Tradition" to be equal to inspired Scripture.

What those "Traditions" are the Roman Catholic cannot tell us.

http://www.thecounciloftrent.com/ch4.htm

[Luircin]

Yes, and it’s whoever follows the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. The Popes in the 14 and 1500s and Pope Frank are NOT recipients of the authority of Christ.

Should anyone claim authority that he doesn’t have, specifically by contradicting Jesus and the Apostles... well Paul in Galatians was rather graphic about what they should do to themselves.

[unlearner]

“He designates his authority to men?”

Yes, he does. Every person is required by God to submit to others. Even Christ Himself demonstrated willing submission to His Heavenly Father as well as His earthly parents, though He Himself is God. If Christ demonstrated submission, how much more does God expect disciples of Christ to submit to authority?

We live in a day of buffet-style Christianity—a day when “every man does that which is right in his own eyes.” But this is not how God ordained things. And rebellion against God-ordained authority is very dangerous.

Ephesians 5:21
Submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord.

Jude 11
Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

To learn what Jude is referring to about Korah, see this passage in Numbers:

Numbers 16:3, 23, 24, 31-33
[The sons of Korah] gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”... So the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.’”... Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.

[Luircin]

The question being, how can you tell which authority is ordained by God?

I know the answer I live by, from Scripture, but what about everyone else?

[unlearner]

“The question being, how can you tell which authority is ordained by God?”

When you accept that you do not have the right to go in to any random church and demand to select its leaders, then recognizing legitimate leadership comes down to following the leadership of the local church where God directs you to be in fellowship.

This needs to be a church that proclaims the Word of God. A believer who sincerely seeks God’s will in this matter and is listening to God’s direction will find believers with whom he or she can fellowship.

The general qualifications of church leaders are specifically listed in several places in the Bible. It should be apparent that these are followed.

[DesertRhino]

Yeah, he didn’t point out people running the show today. By that logic, Pope Francis is legitimate in “authority” over others.

[DesertRhino]

“Don’t need an notarized note. It’s in Scripture, smart mouth.”

What some call candor, others call a smart mouth. No scripture today places some clown alive TODAY in “authority”.

[Luircin]

Hear hear.