Authority must be understood by every Christian since it is the entire basis of our relationship with Christ.“Authority” means “the right to command and enforce obedience.” When we accept Jesus Christ as our “Lord,” this means that He is supposed to become our “boss” or “authority” over our whole life (Luke 6:46).
What is authority of authority in Christianity?
Authority must be understood by every Christian since it is the entire basis of our relationship with Christ. “Authority” means “the right to command and enforce obedience.” When we accept Jesus Christ as our “Lord,” this means that He is supposed to become our “boss” or “authority” over our whole life (Luke 6:46).
Does the church have political authority?
The church does not have political authority. Church members are citizens like every other citizen of a country. But the church, as an organization, is not endowed with political authority. Christians may run for political office but they must never use their political authority to force Christ upon anyone.
Why is submission to authority important in the Christian life?
In addition, the Bible becomes the source of authoritative instruction for our Christian Life (2 Tim. 3:16). Since submission to authority is basic to Christian Life, it is important that we understand that all authority is a God-given institution, and all types of authority are related.
Does the church have the authority to force conversion?
Scripture is the Christian’s highest authority on Earth. No person can or should attempt to make laws or rules to govern the Christian life that exceed the scripture’s authority. 2.) The church does not have the authority to force conversion through coercion.
Why do some Christians detach themselves from the Church?
One of the common reasons that some Christians “hop” from Church to Church, or detach themselves entirely from Church participation, is that inwardly they foster an “independent spirit” which resists authority. They don’t wish to be corrected or to confront truths they would prefer to avoid.
Why should followers of Christ be obedient to secular laws?
God’s Word says that followers of Christ should be obedient to secular laws and government, because according to scripture, secular authority is intended to be a “minister of God for our good” (Rom. 13:4), and serves His purpose of keeping law and order on the earth (1 Pet. 2:14-15).
What does the Bible say about being submissive to the Church?
The Bible says, “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” (Heb. 13:17).
What does it mean when you accept Jesus as your Lord?
When we accept Jesus Christ as our “Lord,” this means that He is supposed to become our “boss” or “authority” over our whole life (Luke 6:46). In addition, the Bible becomes the source of authoritative instruction for our Christian Life (2 Tim. 3:16).
What is the concern with authority?
The Concern with Authority. Authority must be understood by every Christian since it is the entire basis of our relationship with Christ. “Authority” means “the right to command and enforce obedience.”.
What was the impact of the 1960s nonconformist revolution?
The nonconformist revolution of the 1960’s, together with the widely publicized scandals in government, helped to promote a trendy, stylish disregard toward ethics, laws and authority figures. However, despite these popular secular attitudes, authority remains as a very important institution to God, one which is critical for Christians …
Why does God place a high value on authority?
To begin with, God places a high value on authority because He is the one who created it. The Bible says that all authority comes from and originates with God. He is the absolute source of authority in the universe, and has delegated His principle of authority to mankind to maintain order in the world.
What is the root of authority?
It turns out that the root of authority—in a self-giving that engenders new life in others —is also the secret to the crisis of Christian influence in the world. Insofar as we are content to enjoy our spiritual superiority and leave others to wallow in their sins, we will naturally have little or no influence. Insofar as we exercise Christian authority primarily to separate what we consider the wheat from the chaff, no one will experience new life through our efforts. Thus no one will see in us the inherent authority which is so often eagerly embraced when perceived in wise mentors or experienced guides.
How does divine authority come from?
Actually, we can. But to do so we must realize that Divine authority derives only indirectly from Divine power. It is because God is the author (the beginning, the source) of all things that He has authority over all. It is because God uses His power to bring creatures to life and perfection that He has a claim on creatures to be obeyed. In the deepest Christian sense, God’s authority derives from His sacrificial love. He establishes His claim through self-giving. He suffers in order to redeem.
What is the central act of Christian worship?
It is no accident that the central act of Christian worship is the celebration of the Eucharist, in which Christ gives Himself again and again so that we may be united in love with Him. This actuates a process of Divine assimilation which gradually leaves every impurity behind. The Eucharist and the entire sacramental economy transform both the individual soul and the Church into the bride without spot or wrinkle. While Christ is the head or the origin of this union, it is inherently fruitful as the Church herself becomes Christ’s sacramental presence to the world down through history.
1. God institutes government (the Bible, but Romans 13 too)
To read an article that outlines how Romans 13 fits into the big picture of God’s governance of his creation, click here.
2. Satan corrupts government (the Bible, but Revelation 13 too)
To read an article that balances Romans 13 with the book of Revelation, a book that shows how money and power can corrupt governments, click here.
6. Despite what we might think, God reigns over all nations at all times in every way. He turns heads of kings. He raises up Pharaoh. He brings low Nebuchadnezzar. Assyria is his axe. So God is not waiting for nations to adopt biblical law before he sits as king
These statements come from the Bible. So read the relevant verses Bible, some of which you can find cited here.
8. The basic distinction between government and church is this: the government exists to promote peace and order (roads, trade, defence, etc.). The church promotes the Word and Sacraments. These are practical distinctions, but ones rooted in the nature and authority of the church and state that God has instituted
The word Sacraments refers to baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Word refers to preaching, although it also implies proclaiming the Word, which is Jesus. This distinction is massively important, and you can read more about in my article here.
11. The state can bind our outward actions as they pertain to our civil or outward acts
When someone feels they cannot do a certain civil action, we generally call this a conscientious objection. Confusing this category with our conscience before God is legalism, false, and damning because it makes our conscience before God reliant on the government who can bind our external actions. But we are perfectly free lords of all men.
What does the Bible say about kings?
The Bible does in fact command Christians to “submit … to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1) and to pray “for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence ” (I Timothy 2:2). These words even more striking when we realize that Paul penned them during the reigns of the Roman emperors Nero and Caligula, two of the worst tyrants known to history.
Is Nebuchadnezzar a servant?
After all, the Bible calls King Nebuchadnezzar God’s “servant” (Jeremiah 25:9). This obviously does not imply that Nebuchadnezzar was a godly man. The long and short of it, then, is that God is always in charge. We may not trust the governing authorities, but we have to trust Him.
Do Christians have to cooperate with the ruling powers?
The point is clear. As long as we can do so without denying Christ or compromising our faith, we must always strive to cooperate with the ruling powers. That doesn’t necessarily mean that we will endorse all of their policies or approve of every specific action they take. This is especially true in a democratic society, where it is the duty of responsible citizens to examine public servants with a discerning and critical eye. Nevertheless, Christians are responsible to uphold biblical righteousness in a hostile culture while also expressing respect for its leadership.
Is God sovereign over human events?
God is sovereign over human events. At the same time, He gives people the freedom to make their own choices and go their own way. In other words, no one can become a king, emperor, governor, president, assemblyman, or senator apart from God’s will.
What is the power of the believer in Ephesians 4?
One of the most vital areas of the believer’s authority is his power to successfully stand against Satan. Ephesians 4:27 says, Neither give place to the devil. In the sixth chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul describes the armor that we as believers are to wear in combat against Satan.
Why did Jesus come to earth?
He came to earth as a man for one reason: to re-capture the authority that Satan had stolen through Adam’s disobedience in the garden. Jesus was called the last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45). After securing that power and authority, He freely gave it over into the hands of those who would believe on Him–you and me.
What does Paul pray for in Ephesians?
In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul prayed a prayer for the body of believers in Ephesus. One part of that prayer was that they know the exceeding greatness of his power to those who believe (Eph. 1:19). That exceeding great power is the same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies. Ephesians 1:21 tells us that Jesus is seated far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named.
Why did Peter come to earth as a man?
“He came to earth as a man for one reason: to re-capture the authority that Satan had stolen through Adam’s disobedience in the garden. ”.
How to run Satan out of your affairs?
You have the power and the authority to take the Word of God, the name of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit and run Satan out of your affairs. Don’t pray and ask God to fight Satan for you. You are the one in authority. Take your responsibility and speak directly to Satan yourself and stand your ground firmly.
What does it mean to put on the whole armor of God?
YOU put on the whole armor of God that YOU will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. YOU take the whole armor of God that YOU may be able to withstand in the evil day; and having done all, YOU stand.”. God has given you the power and the authority to stand against Satan and his destructive works.
What is the position of new creations?
As new creations we have been put in a position of power and authority– a position delegated to us by God through Jesus Christ. Along with that authority come certain responsibilities. I want us to examine God’s Word concerning that position and the authority we have in Him.
What authority did Paul exercise in the Corinthian Church?
Before we look at the authority of the church, let’s examine the authority that Paul had as an Apostle and see how he exercised his authority with the Corinthian church. Paul is an example of godly, spiritual authority. In I Corinthians Paul exercised his authority as an Apostle to order corrective measures in the Corinthian church. Paul wrote about the church’s approval of immorality, their abuse of the Lord’s Supper, their wild and out of control church services. He even gave orders regarding marriage, divorce, and the conduct of women. Paul’s scope of authority touched upon everything in the life of the church, yet unlike many in the world who hold authority, he did not issue orders that were designed to bring him personal benefit. Rather, Paul’s exercise of authority was designed to benefit his readers instead of himself. “ [I am] not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved” – ( I Corinthians 10:33 ).
What did Paul write about in the Corinthian Church?
Paul wrote about the church’s approval of immorality, their abuse of the Lord’s Supper, their wild and out of control church services.
How did Paul exercise his authority?
First, he exercised his authority in a fatherly way. Second, he exercised his authority firmly, with conviction, and did not compromise what was right. Let’s look at these two practices individually. Paul exercised his authority in a fatherly way.
Why not be wronged Paul?
When it comes to divisions in the church, Paul urged forgiveness rather than revenge. Paul recognized that such lawsuits between believers were exercises in unforgiveness and revenge, which are not supposed to be marks of the Christian church. Paul told his readers, “Why not rather be wronged?” It was better, in Paul’s view, to be taken advantage of and forgive it, than to file a lawsuit against a fellow Christian and damage their reputation and witness before unbelievers.
How many areas of authority does the church have?
Generally speaking, there are four areas of authority that God has granted to the Christian church. Each local church body has each of the four. These areas of authority are all derived from God, through the exercise of the standards laid out in the Bible. The church has the authority to teach God’s word.
Why did Paul not compromise?
When it came to the reputation of the church, because of the sin of its members , Paul did not compromise. He was firmly convicted that the Corinthian’s behavior brought shame to the Gospel, even telling the Corinthians, “I say this to your shame.”
What is the authority of the Bible?
The Bible is a book of authority, and the Christian church is also an organization that carries authority from its founder, Jesus Christ. The authority of the church is derived from God, and as such, it exercises its authority under certain conditions. Before we look at the authority of the church, let’s examine the authority …