Where does a pastor get his authority?

Running Away From My Church Blog ^ | 1/7/2018 | Robert Messner

[tiredofallofit]

But that chain of authority is often not so clear in the church world, especially amongst non-denominational evangelicals. 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? Is it because we like what we hear? Or do we validate the authority because the pastor’s interpretation of the Bible jives with our own understanding? But who are we to even make that judgement? Why is our interpretation of the Bible any better than the person sitting next to us on the pew? And if we disagree with an aspect of the pastor’s views, do we have a right to question him? Or do we have to accept what he says because we have already consented to his authority?

[Iscool]

Not likely that the seed that was created, planted, nourished and protected (to this day) by Christ Jesus Himself "out grew" itself however branches that separate themselves from the vine wither and die.

Did the Magisterium at the end of Vatican II say 'Stop, this is the end of the line'??? Seems like your newest pope is continuing to nourish your Church...

[ealgeone]

True...principle still holds.

[GingisK]

Policy of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. A congregation calls the Pastor or its choice and can relive that Pastor anytime for cause. The process of removal is messy.

[BipolarBob]

Catholics don’t even worship on the same day as Jesus and the Disciples. So they technically might not have zero in common with the first Church but it is close to it.

[FatherofFive]

That’s a great book answer. Reality is much more difficult.

Yes, indeed. The Bible is a great book. And the reality of Scripture describes the Church established by Christ

[Iscool]

Another point to consider is that their scriptures were the Old Testament...........................

Another point to consider is that the apostle Peter considered the writings of Paul to be scripture, the final authority, with just as much authority as the Old Testament scriptures...

[FatherofFive]

“Now what Church had Peter as its first leader? None in Scripture.

Yeah, except for Scripture - “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.”

[PeterPrinciple]

Luk 24:27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

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This thread is about “authority” I am of Peter, I am of Apollos, I am of Paul.

I can never understand why no one claims Apollos any more.

But the authority Jesus always claimed was the Scriptures. That he would use the OT to explain himself to his disciples should give us pause...............

[ealgeone]

Yes, indeed. The Bible is a great book. And the reality of Scripture describes the Church established by Christ.

Except....not the Roman Catholic church.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

FoF,

It was based on Peter’s confession of faith and not Peter, d spite your assertion.

Even the Orthodox churches disagree with your claim and have since the time of the Apostles.

[FatherofFive]

love this Pope eh?

The Church has dealt with heresy for centuries. The heresy of Protestantism will eventually fall as the heresies of Gnosticism, Arianism and Apokatastasis

[BipolarBob]

So, do you think Peter is The Rock upon which your Church is founded? The gates of hell prevailed against Peter when he denied the Lord three times. He is not the cornerstone of Gods True Church. Only Jesus is. Peters confession that Jesus was the Messiah is the beginning of the Church. But not Peter. It could never be Peter.

[FatherofFive]

Except....not the Roman Catholic church.

Scripture says otherwise. You offer opinions, not Scripture

[ealgeone]

>>>Except....not the Roman Catholic church.<<<

Scripture says otherwise. You offer opinions, not Scripture.

Where?

Where is the Immaculate Conception? The Catholic Encyclopedia Online admits there it cannot be found in Scripture.

The Papacy? Nope.

Cardinals? Nope

The Mass? Nope.

Infant Baptism? Nope.

[af_vet_1981]

Their example is a good one for all to follow.

... they received the word with great eagerness,...

Not necessarily;
1. It is not an example for Christians to follow, but rather Jews who do not yet believe. The Messiah send the Apostle(s) to evangelize the Bereans (who were Jews, not Christians). They did not need to fact check the Apostles, except out of their own ignorance, weakness, and lack of spiritual discernment. Of course it was better for those Jews that they were willing to listen and compare what the Apostle(s) taught than to reject that teaching out of hand. They were more noble than the Jews in Thessaloniki, although some Jews in Thessaloniki also believed, as did some Jews in Berea.
2. It seems to me that the net result of trying to apply the Berean model to Christians is that there are thousands of different denominations, sects, or faith communities that do not agree on what the scriptures mean after they have searched the scriptures. Instead, there are millions of individuals who cannot even agree with a faith community and are their own authority for matters of faith and doctrine. This disunity is incongruent with the Messiah's teaching and prayer to the Father for all believers to be one.
3. Receiving the word with great eagerness is not enough.

It is better to keep the word and bring forth fruit.

And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Luke, Catholic chapter eight, Protestant verses four to fifteen,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[af_vet_1981]

Corporate policy but not Messianic authority

[Salvation]

But Peter repented.

[af_vet_1981]

I can never understand why no one claims Apollos any more.

He did not sign a book, like the Book of Hebrews ...

[PeterPrinciple]

1Co 3:21 So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you—
1Co 3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, ............

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So, what do you have to say about the above?

Your error is right there at the beginning and corrected by Paul..............

Again, go read it in context for better understanding.

[FatherofFive]

The protestant “reformation” is simply not Biblical:

“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. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1Cor 1:10-17

You could easily read the above as “One of you says, "I follow Luther"; another, "I follow Calvin"; another, "I follow Wesley"; still another, "I follow Christ."

Christians cannot be “perfectly united in mind and thought” when they have different beliefs on, say, the necessity of water baptism, while others believe “This is my Body” means “This is a cookie”