Church Authority: Origin and Practice

What is the origin of church authority? What is the basis of church authority? What is the legitimate practice of church authority? What is the right response to church authority? All of these are important questions that require scriptural answers. The church being a New Testament institution founded by Christ during his public ministry and empowered by the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost we should not be surprised to discover that the New Testament has a good deal to say about church authority and how it is legitimately exercised. The New Testament provides precepts, principles, and patterns to help us understand and appreciate the authority committed to the church that Jesus started. We will begin considering this important topic by contemplating God as the source of, the origin of, all authority. All authority ultimately belongs to God. We will consider how God has exercised his divine prerogative in delegating authority to the human realm. This is true concerning the New Testament church. It is not that the New Testament church is without constraints and boundaries related to its delegated authority. However, it does have authority, and the authority is to be acknowledged by those who have covenanted themselves with a New Testament church. New Testament churches have a divinely inspired and preserved text to guide their faith and practice related to its authority. New Testament churches have Christ as their head. They are accountable to him. It is he who commends and condemns them. New Testament churches have the Holy Spirit as their administrator. He is the liaison between Jesus (the head of the churches) and the churches scattered across the continents. The Holy Spirit guides the churches into all truth and brings all things to their remembrance. New Testament churches have Holy Ghost-appointed pastors who are the messengers of the churches and through whom the Spirit provides leadership to which submission and obedience are the scriptural requirements. New Testament churches are autonomous and have equal authority, with limited jurisdiction. These are all areas that we will explore and contemplate from the pages of the Old and New Testaments. It is a worthy subject approached by an unworthy servant! What a great recipe for Him to get all the glory if any is to be had! Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:21
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Author/Artist:McEntire Jr DRE, James C
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