GOD’S AUTHORITY VS. MAN’S AUTHORITY
LEVELS OF AUTHORITY – PART I
There is no authority that is of man. In the home, in the church, and in civil government, no delegated authority is unquestionable.
We are responsible to obey God’s word and to disobey any word that contradicts God’s word.
Disobedience is the exception rather than the rule – to be used only when the person cannot be reasoned with or approached or corrected in any way.
Isaiah 9:6 – The government shall be upon His shoulders. When God’s government is in charge there will be peace.
Isaiah 9:6, 7:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Upon the throne of David, and upon His Kingdom, He shall order it, and establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.
God’s government works by love (in home, etc.) to bring righteousness, peace, and joy. All three are present when He is ruling.
It is a delight to obey righteous authority – in a church, a home, or in civil government.
Romans 13:1 – Truth always frees – doesn’t bind. Controlling pastors + people who won’t be ruled by anyone = anarchy.
Subject is HIGHER authority.
Authority varies from level to level.
SEVEN (7) LEVELS OF AUTHORITY
First three levels do not belong to man, but are assumed/presumed by many churches.
LEVEL I – SOVEREIGN or IMPERIALAUTHORITY – Unquestionable
If they say “jump” you say “how high?”
For the believer, authority at this level is NEVER given to a minister –
Ephesians 1:17-23
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places
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;
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.”
Only JESUS has this level of sovereign authority over the Church.
Some ascribe this level of authority to some men – this is wrong. Scripture is clear – ONLY JESUS is over every other name named in the earth – above all power and might.
Hebrews 1: 1-9 – this anointing sets Jesus over all others.
“And again, when he brought in the firstbegotteninto the world, he said, ‘And let all the angels of God worship him.’
And of the angels he said, ‘Who made his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.’
But unto the Son He said, ‘Thy throne, O God is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.
You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Revelation 19:16
“And he has written on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!”
Even the apostle operates on the level of delegated authority –
LEVEL II – VERACIOUS AUTHORITY – The authority of TRUTH. 2+2=4; HARDHEADED? No, speaking with veracious authority.
Scriptures ascribe the qualities of truth to God. The Bible is the truth – THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS THE OFFICE OF SPIRIT OF TRUTH – HE INSPIRED SCRIPTURES.
II Timothy 3:16 – Scriptures are Spirit-breathed. Psalms 119:142 & 151.
John 17:17 – We are sanctified by the truth.
Satan always challenges veracious authority – “Has God said?”
Judge and weigh EVERYTHING by the scriptures. Judge not what man says about scripture, but WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS.
The Westminster confession was birthed out of an ecclesiastical conference in 200 A.D. that was convened to combat rampant heresies in the church. As a result, they set forth a list of confessions.
The first 3 articles have been the guideline by which the church has been governed for 2000 years:
- Nothing contrary to scripture can be true.
- Nothing in addition to scripture is binding.
- Every believer is responsible to search the scriptures to see if what is being said is true.
Acts 17:10 – Bereans – They received “rhema” (revelation), but checked “logos” to find if this is true.
All is to be judged by scriptures. If someone is prophesying, other prophets must be there to judge by scripture.
God never sent these ministries out alone. Paul rebuked Peter on the basis of scriptural truth; not on the basis of preference or prejudice. Every prophetic word must be judged by veracious authority.
Isaiah 8:20 – “If they speak not according to the Word it is because there is no light in them.”
Joshua 1 – read his encounter with Jesus.
Some say that post-ascension apostles have authority over the Word. THIS IS NOT TRUE.
LEVEL III – THE AUTHORITY OF CONSCIENCE
Romans 2:12-14; 14:23; I Cor. 8 & 11:25-29
Some say that a person is not able to discern what is right or wrong. Any normal person knows right from wrong – you know what you don’t want someone to do to you.
Reciprocally, we know what is wrong to do to others.
Any law in scripture is written to keep us from hurting someone or from being hurt. To observe His law is to preserve your own and everyone else’s welfare.
Conscience is God’s law written in the heart and mind.
We are to be subject to our conscience.
Your conscience is YOURS; not someone else’s.
When scripture is unclear concerning difference sexual practices between husband and wife, the marriage bed is undefiled; However, if you offend one another’s conscience, you sin – at that point a husband’s authority stops. The husband does not have authority over his wife’s conscience.
One man can’t put his conscience on another.
Defiled/evil/seared conscience – another whole study.
No man, regardless of his office in ministry, has the right to command you to violate the sovereign authority of Christ, the Veracious authority of scripture, or your conscience. These three levels are above man.
The next four levels could be horizontal rather than vertical. No one level is higher or more important than another.
LEVEL IV – DELEGATED AUTHORITY – The first one that man is involved in. This is the level of authority that every pastor and head of ministry is involved in.
Hebrews 13:17 – obey those who have rule – they watch out for your souls. The word RULE is probably not the best translation. This word really means administrator or shepherd-like caring for sheep. It is a giving of his life for his sheep.
This level of authority operates under the first three levels and wins the love and submission of those entrusted to his care through his own shepherd-like nurture and caring.
SUBMISSION: Each believer has the responsibility to search the Word and the heart of God and humbly bring to his leaders his VIEWPOINT of how each function of the church can best work to serve the common good of the body.(“viewpoint” vs. “opinion”)
Acts 6: 1-4
“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said, ‘It is not reasonable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables.’
Wherefore,brethren, separate from among yourselves seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.’
Anointing and the fruit of the Holy Spirit separates a group of servant leaders who are practiced in prayer and hearing the voice of God
Each believer must grow up into the fullness of AGREEMENT WITH GOD, and submit himself to the authority of the Word of God. This is the beginning of Christ becoming head of the Church
AUTHORITY NEVER EXTENDS BEYOND RESPONSIBILITY.
Never exalt, promote, or give honor to a man or woman who seeks authority or control – give it to one who seeks responsibility.
I do not have authority to spank my neighbor’s children or make decisions for my neighbor’s wife because I do not support her or the kids. I can spank MY children.
Any man who seeks authority without responsibility is a dangerous man. Satan tried to exalt himself above sovereign authority and so do some men.
Some have never submitted themselves to sovereign authority. They live a life of rebellion, reject God’s principles and law.
Even without the gospel, we know we are sinners because of our conscience.
(Note: Levels 5, 6, & 7 are covered in Part II)
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