I. THE SOURCE OF ALL AUTHORITY.
A. God is the ultimate source of all AUTHORITY.
1. By right of "Creatorship" - God WILL have the final word.
a. Gen 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
b. Job 38:1-7 "Where were you when I....?"
c. Jer 18:5-6 "...Cannot I do with you as this potter? ..as the clay
is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand..."
d. John 1:3 "All things were made by Him.."
2. By Essence.
a. Omnipotence - all powerful - II Pet 3:10-13; Rev 21:1.
b. Perfect Justice - Rev 20:11-15; I Thes 4:13-18.
c. Perfect Righteousness - Gen 2:17; Rom 6:23;
B. Two systems of "Authority." - God's & Satan's.
1. God's angelic creation:
a. Cherubim - highest in beauty, power & responsibility.
Gen 3:24; Ex 25:18; 26:1 Ezek 1:3-28; 10:20; Rev 4:6.
1) Michael - "The Archangel." Dan 12:!; I Thes 4:16; Rev 12:7-12.
2) Gabriel - "Messenger or revealer of divine purpose." Dan 8:15-27;
9:20-27; Luke 1:26-33.
3) Lucifer - "Son of the Morning" Isa 14:12.
4) Only three are mentioned in Scripture - more may exist.
b. Seraphim - Unceasing worship, purification, humility. Isa 6:1-3;
Rev 4:8.
c. Living Creatures - Unceasing activity, worship, linked directly
to God's judgments. Rev 4:8; Psa 103:20; Ezek 1:1-22; 3:13; 10:15-17.
2. After the fall of Lucifer, he set up his own authority structure
- identical to God's - Col 1:16 vs: Eph 6:12.
3. The "order" of angels - I Pet 3:22; Eph 6:12; Col 1:16
a. Thrones - "Thronos" - a seat of authority, head of government.
b. Dominions - "Kuriotetes" - those who rule, lord over, second in
command (military term for "XO")
c. Principalities, Rulers - "Archae" - those who govern an estate.
d. Authorities - "Exousia" - an ambassador, a messenger or revealer
of purpose, invested imperial responsibility.
e. Powers - "Dunameis" - ability to force, dominate, have power over.
f. Spiritual hosts of evil - "Pneumatika" - demonic unseen forces
all around us.
4. There is currently an active struggle going on between the forces
of God & the forces of Satan - this is known as the "Angelic Conflict"
- Eph 6:10; Dan 10:10-21; Rev 12:7.
5. Ultimately, God will destroy Satan and his system of authority -
Rev 19 & 20.
C. Direct delegation of authority by God - Husbands, Parents,
selected Old Testament individuals.
1. Old Testament prophets/judges - direct revelation, direct
instruction as to purpose, power to perform miracles to confirm
authority.
2. A few select Old Testament kings - Saul - I Sam 9:17; David - I
Sam 16:1.
3. Husband over wife & children.
a. Gen 3:16; Ex 21:14; Lev 20:9;
b. No other "qualifications" for authority are required, you have
authority because you are a father or husband.
4. Parents over children - Ex 21:14; Lev 20:9; Eph 6:1-3.
D. All other authority in society - in the church, as well as in the
society, is determined by "FUNCTION."
1. Each function is defined in scripture "ordained."
2. Qualifications are specific and must be met prior to holding
recognized office.
3. Rom 13:1 "There is no authority except from God, and those which
exist are established by God."
a. "Established" or "Ordained" - word from which we get institution.
b. To commission to a specific role or purpose - which is well
defined in scripture.
4. "Ordaining" men to the ministry - Specific requirements and role
functions - both defined in scripture. I Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-16; Heb
13:7, 17,
5. "Civil" authorities - requirements and role functions defined in
scripture.
E. Church Leadership (see Divine Institutions #5 for details).
1. Every use of the word "rule, " "authority," "lead," "govern, "
"preside," "shepherd," in both the New and Old Testament refer only to
gifted men called Elder, Bishop, Prophet, Shepherd, and Pastor - never
to a group of Christians called a "congregation." (see Leadership - 1).
2. The most common error concerning "congregational rule" is taken
from Acts 6:3. This has reference only to "Deacons."
3. Every instance of a man becoming an Elder results from direct
appointment by existing leadership - never congregational election,
Acts 14:22,23; Titus 1:5.
4. All authority concerning the spiritual life of the congregation
is vested only in the "Elders" of that local church.
5. Since Leadership is a spiritual gift, and not an "elected
position" the duration is for life (or as long as the Holy Spirit sees
fit to utilize the gift) - not yearly.
6. For a congregation to assume the role of appointing spiritual
leadership, is a dangerous, presumptuous act, bordering on assuming the
role of the Holy Spirit.
Clearly an act of sin.
7. The official recognition of a position of Spiritual authority
known as "Elder" was confirmed by the existing elders in a manner known
as "ordination."
8. The recognized position of Elder was never a "training" position,
but was preceded by their observed "function." (I Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6
both - present active).
9. In all the first century church letters, references to church
leadership was vested in the "Elders" who were all "appointed" by the
existing leadership, never by the congregation. I Clement 44; 54.
F. Civil Government's purpose and function is clearly defined in the
Word of God (see Divine Institutions #4 for details).
1. Rom 13:3 - "Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.
2. V:4 - "He is a minister of God for good.
3. V:4 - "An avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
4. V:14 - "Them that are sent by God for the punishment of evil-
doers, and for the praise of them that do well."
5. Notice words used here: "DIAKONOS" - "Deacon, servant."
a. Paul always uses this word to refer to the attitude of service -
"as unto the Lord." - as a servant of God.
b. The civil government is a servant of God.
c. This is God's way of telling us that legitimate state officials
are to be the servants under God, not lords or sovereigns. When civil
authorities divorce themselves from God and the Bible, they become
self-styled lords and lawless and predatory in relation to men.
6. Government is ordained to be a terror to evil.
7. Evil - is any system of thought that is Satanic - contrary to the
Word of God.
G. Sinful manifestations and Satanic distortions that are impostors
are false representations - they are NOT ORDAINED OF GOD!
H. If any divine institution does not match up with its intended
function, structure and purpose as defined in the Word of God, it is
not that which it calls itself.
1. There is no legitimate reason for its continued existence.
2. If it attempts to destroy or harm any of the other four divine
institutions - it is a thief and is to be treated as such.
II. THE LIMITS ON AUTHORITY.
A. Direct delegation of authority.
1. Parents - no limits.
2. Husbands - no limits.
3. Old Testament Prophets and Kings - when they disobeyed God's
direct command, their leadership authority was removed. by God Himself
- not the people - Saul, I Sam 15:33.
B. Delegated authority - Church Leadership 1. Not to "lord" it over
the people.
2. As responsible before God to "Watch for the souls of the people."
Heb 13:7, 17.
3. When "Function" ceases - so does authority.
4. Where there is no function - there is no authority.
C. Delegated authority - civil government.
1. The only recognized Biblical form of civil government is a Godly
monarchy - not a democracy.
2. Deut 17:14-20.
3. Not to take to himself wealth at the expense of his subjects.
4. He must know and follow the Word of God - he is subject to it.
5. He must not become "Lifted up above his brethren."
I. INTRODUCTION
In all of scripture the most important theme is:
AUTHORITY & SUBMISSION
Even above salvation, for without this theme being made very clear,
salvation cannot occur. The very "LORDSHIP" (authority) of Jesus Christ
is at stake.
A. In every Divine Institution the qualifications and function for
leadership is clearly defined. It is the objective of Satan to confuse,
distort and destroy God's design for Godly leadership. The
qualifications and function for each institution are distinct, the
principles are identical for all.
1. Volition - The Lordship of Jesus Christ.
2. Marriage - The husband.
3. Family - The parents.
4. Nation - Civil Government leaders.
5. Church - Elders.
Every suggested "alternative" to God's design is EVIL
B. God's priority is on LEADERSHIP.
1. Because of poor leadership, the people suffer.
2. Poor leadership is doubly judged because of their failure to lead
according to Divine instruction.
3. When it comes to leadership, God does not excuse poor function
because of "immaturity or ability."
4. Godly leadership is a spiritual gift - not a developed natural
ability. It is a spiritual gift given to a man.
5. As with all spiritual gifts it is only functional as a man is
filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit. Sin in that man's life renders
the gift unusable.
C. Human Viewpoint (Satanic, evil) VS: Divine Viewpoint.
1. God's design for leadership is directly opposed to that of the
world.
2. Today's worldly view:
a. Dale Carnegie - promote yourself.
b. Management training - manipulate people to accomplish your
objective.
c. America is a "Democracy" so the church should be also.
d. "Good" management in the world is "foolishness" to God.
D. The "Church" today has adopted the world's ideas of leadership.
1. Robert Schuller - "Hour of Power, " - leadership training.
2. Manipulate people - emotions & guilt.
3. Navigators - go for the "sharp" people.
4. "Congregational" church government.
5. "Election" of spiritual leadership.
E. Bad leadership in any area (world or church) results in:
Pain, Suffering & Death (7 forms).
1. Lev 26 - 5 cycles of discipline.
2. Every man in leadership should seriously consider Jer 23 before
ever assuming that office.
II. LEADERSHIP DEFINED: WORDS USED IN SCRIPTURE.
A. PROISTEMI -- FUNCTION WORD! ("pro" - "before") ("istemi" - "to
set) "To set before (as leader)."
"To cause to stand (active voice) "To establish a thing before."
"Rule, to be over, to stand before, to lead, attend to."
"Come to a stand, " (mid/pass, aor/perfect act.
1. All indicating care and diligence.
2. "To put oneself at the head." "To go first, " "To preside."
3. Used 8 times in N.T. - only in intransitive forms of the verb.
All have the sense of "to lead."
4. All have the context of "to care for."
5. Rom 12:8 "The one taking the lead (proistemi) in diligence."
(pres mid part). * Leading as a spiritual gift - not a congregational
right!
6. I Thes 5:12 "Now we ask you brothers to know the ones laboring
among you and taking the lead (proistemi) of you in the Lord and
admonishing you. (pres mid part).
7. I Tim 3:4 "The one ruling (proistemi) his household well, having
children in subjection with all dignity." (pres mid part).
8. I Tim 3:5 "But if anyone does not know how to rule (proistemi)
his own household, how will he care for the church of God?" (aor act
inf).
9. I Tim 3:12 "Let deacons be one wife husband, ruling (proistemi)
well children and their own households." (pres mid part).
10. I Tim 5:17 "The well ruling (proistemi) elders of double honor
let be deemed worthy, especially the ones laboring in speech and
teaching." (perf act part).
B. HEGEOMAI - AUTHORITY WORD!
HEGEMONEUO - To govern, lead, rule, to be a prince or governor -
Pontius Pilate - governor of Judea.
HEGEMONIA - To reign - Tiberius Caesar - Luke 3:1
HEGEOMAI - To rule, govern, lead, be chief - Matt 2:6; Lk 22:24; Heb
13:7, 17,24.
"Rule, lead the way, go before, take dominion, guide."
1. To take a stand - the one who jumps out and takes a stand.
2. Initiative taken by the one leading - not speaking of causing
someone else to take a stand.
3. Heb 13:7 "Remember the ones leading (hegeomai) you who spoke to
you the Word of God, whom looking at the result of conduct, you imitate
their faith." (pres mid Part - plural).
4. Heb 13:17 "Obey the ones leading (hegeomai) you and submit for
they watch on behalf of your souls as account rendering in order that
with joy this they may do and not groaning for profitless to you is
this." (pres mid part - plural).
5. Heb 13:24 "Greet all the ones leading (hegeomai) you and all the
saints." (pres mid part - plural).
6. This is a function word used only for "Elders" within the local
church. It is never used in connection with the local congregation.
7. The final authority in the local church is vested in the "Elders."
C. POIMAINO - "To act as a shepherd."
1. Rule - Rev 2:27; 12:5; 19:15,
2. Indicating that the governing power exercised by the shepherd is
to be of a firm character - Matt 2:6.
3. In the O.T. term is used (Exodus) "to lead, guide, go before."
4. Congregational leaders called shepherds - Eph 4:11.
5. The work of "shepherds."
a. I Peter 5:2-4 to "Care" for the congregation.
b. Acts 20:28 - to "Care" for the congregation.
c. Acts 20:29 - to "combat" heresy.
c. John 21:16 - to "feed & lead."
6. These shepherds are the leaders of the local church, I Pet 5:1;
Acts 20:17, 28.
D. EPISKOPOS - "Overseer" - "BISHOP."
1. "EPI" - over + "SKOPEO" - to look or watch.
2. Exercising oversight.
3. "Presbuteros" an elder, is another term for the same person as
bishop.
4. Acts 20:17 & 28.
5. The term "elder" indicated the mature spiritual experience and
understanding of those so described.
6. The term "bishop, " or "overseer," indicates the character of the
work undertaken.
7. "Bishops" (plural) were to be in every church Acts 14:23; 20:17;
Phil 1:1; Tit 1:5; Jas 5:14.
8. This word does not imply the entrance upon such responsibility,
but the fulfillment of it.
9. It is not a matter of assuming a position, but the discharge of
the duties.
E. PRESBUTEROS - Elder
1. Indicating their maturity and spiritual experience.
2. A position of honor and dignity.
3. Authority which is a result of maturity & experience, not
positional, but functional authority.
I. OLD TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP.
A. Principles and lessons on leadership from the lives of Godly men:
Abraham, Job, Moses, Joshua, Nehemiah, David, Elijah, Paul...
B. The downfall of King Saul - I Sam 15:23 "Because you have
rejected the Word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king."
1. When a man in leadership rejects the authority of God's Word, God
rejects him as a leader.
2. God never distinguished between "Political" and "Spiritual"
leadership, - first & foremost was spiritual leadership. A qualified
spiritual leader was then eligible for political leadership.
3. Today the world (and even the church) attempts to make them
always two men, never one (separation of church & state).
C. Review O.T. history of Israel & Judah.
1. Israel = northern kingdom (Samaria.) 2. Judah = southern kingdom
(Jerusalem).
D. Begin with prophets Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah & Ezekiel - all lived
about 7th & 8th century B.C. -- Implications of bad leadership.
1. Hosea 4:1, 6, "Hear the Word of the Lord, children of Israel; for
the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because
there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land...My
people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected
knowledge, I will also reject you."
2. People become as their leadership.
Hosea 4:9 "And there shall be, like people, like priest; and I will
punish them for their ways, and reward them for their doings."
3. Isaiah 9:16 "For the leaders of this people cause them to err;
and they who are led of them are destroyed."
4. Failure of leadership - Ezek 22:26-31 "Her priests have violated
my law, and have profaned my holy things; they have put no difference
between the holy and profane, neither have they shown difference
between the unclean and the clean, and have hidden their eyes from my
sabbath, and I am profaned among them."
E. Leaders in the Old Testament were men who themselves were under
authority.
1. They never started out to be "Leaders." (As the world produced
leaders).
2. They knew how to serve.
3. Their leadership was entirely given by God.
a. David - Where was he when God chose him? - keeping sheep. - What
did he do after he was chosen - went back.
b. Moses - 40 years in the desert as a sheepherder. - When chosen
said, "I can't speak."
c. Joshua - served Moses. - "Take off your shoes!"
d. Nehemiah - A cup bearer for the King.
e. Amos - (7:14, 15) "I am no prophet, neither am I a prophet's son,
but I am a herdsman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit; and the Lord
took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go,
prophesy to my people."
f. Luke 16:12 "If you have not been faithful in that which is
another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?"
4. God has always rejected men who tried to force their leadership
on people (human viewpoint).
F. Jer 23: Read this regularly - God gives no "Slack" to poor
leadership, men who "adulterate" and "prostitute" the Word of God.
V:1, 2 "Woe to the shepherds (pastors) who destroy and scatter the
sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. Therefore, thus saith the Lord God
of Israel against the shepherds (pastors) who feed my people. You have
scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them;
behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord."
(judgment of bad leadership).
V:9-11 "My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my
bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man who wine has
overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of His
holiness. For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing
the land mourneth, the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up,
and their course is evil, and their force is not right. For both
prophet and priest are profane; yea, in My house have I found their
wickedness, saith the Lord."
V:13 "I have seen folly in the prophets; they prophesied in Baal,
and caused my people to err." (Pro - Cease my son to hear the things
that causes you to err).
V:16-17 "Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, harken not unto the words of
the prophets that prophesy unto you. They make you vain; they speak a
vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. They
say to those who despise me, The Lord hath said, You shall have peace;
and they say unto every one that walks after the imagination of his own
heart, No evil shall come upon you."
V:21 "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran; I have not
spoken to them, yet they prophesied."
V:25-27 "I have heard what the prophets said, who prophesy lies in
My name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy
lies? Yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who
think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they
tell every man."
V:32 "Behold I am against those who prophesy false dreams, saith the
Lord, and do tell them, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my
people to err by their lies, and by their instability; yet I sent them
not, nor commanded them; therefore, they shall not profit this people
at all, saith the Lord."
G. Jer 24 - Vision of the Basket of Figs.
1. Divine discipline on a nation because of believers (leaders).
2. Because of the leadership over God's people - pastors.
H. Lev 26 - "Five Cycles of National Discipline" - brought on a
society by the failure of those responsible for spiritual leadership.
I. Only cure - II Chron 7:14 - God's people - to return to the "Laws
of Divine Establishment" for all five institutions.
II. NEW TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP.
A. In the Old Testament, God chose His leaders directly, by divine
revelation, and gave them miraculous gifts to confirm this authority
given to them.
1. Prophets - revealed God's will - (no scriptures yet).
2. Elders - even in Egypt - general leadership. They took God's
revealed Word and lead the people.
B. How do we get our leaders today?
1. The World.
a. People manipulation.
b. Popularity contests.
c. Laws of Divine Establishment - Divine principles.
Christian Parents must give their children Godly Heroes, Real men to
emulate - not make believe characters. Pro 2:20 - Train your children -
"To walk in the paths of Godly men, and keep the paths of the
righteous."
HEROES - our children need Godly heroes - Training
2. In this dispensation, God operates through His church, the Body
of Christ. God is still in the business of giving us leaders.
C. Today, within the Church, much confusion exists on just how God
provides His Church with leaders.
1. We have gone to the world for our selection - "Democracy." If the
world has it, so should the church.
2. Leaders are leaders because they lead - if the Body did not need
to be led, God would have not provided leaders.
3. Authority in the Church is because of maturity and Gifts, not
because of popular vote, or majority vote.
4. Obedience - if I only obey that which I already agree with, that
is not obedience.
5. We cannot use of the book of Acts (Acts 6:1-4) alone as the basis
for selection - Acts is a book of transition, not a book of doctrine.
(reference is to Deacons anyway, not Church leaders - Elders.)
6. "Charasmatic" movement prime example - Use of Acts as doctrine.
7. In this dispensation, the Epistles provide us with the doctrinal
basis which God uses to provide leaders.
D. Ephesians chapter 4 is the most conclusive. I Tim 3 and Titus 1
list the character qualifications.
1. 4:1-6 - The unity of the Church.
2. 4:7-8 - The diversity within the Church.
a. "Gave gifts to men" - from Psalm 68:18 - A military victor has
the right to give gifts to those who are identified with him.
b. Christ having captivated sinful people by redeeming them is
Victor and gives from them as gifts to the church.
c. Romans 12 & I Cor 12 speak of gifts given to believers, Eph 4
speaks of gifted believers given to the church.
3. V:11 "HE" - emphatic in the Greek to denote that Christ Himself
gives the gifted people. (ref to v:8-10) (See NIV)
a. I Cor 12 - God the Holy Spirit gives "Spiritual gifts."
b. Gifted men are given by Christ to the Church.
4. NIV - "He gave some to be" (gave - predicate accusative)
a. Apostles - the original 12 (office) + others.
b. Prophets - to reveal God's will until scripture was completed.
c. Evangelists - church planters, missionaries.
d. Pastors and Teachers - two characteristics of the same person.
Pastor - comforting & guiding
Teacher - instructing, oversee
5. I Cor 12:28 - "God has set ("etheto" = appointed) some in the
church to be apostles, prophets, teachers.."
6. Purpose - 4:12-16 - to equip believers - to give them stability
doctrinally.
E. The Role of "Gifted" men. (Teaching Pastor).
1. God takes a man who already has teaching and leadership gifts.
2. Qualified in accordance with I Tim 3 & Titus.
3. ALREADY "Functioning" within the ministry.
4. Recognized by a local assembly as one who is already "Watching
for their souls."
a. "Teaching Pastor" is what he does.
b. "Elder" is his title.
5. Responsible to "LEAD" and to "FEED." - He must be obviously
gifted by the Holy Spirit with Leadership gifts. - Not obviously
"Talented" by the worlds standards of leadership.
a. LEAD - there must already be followers - a 2nd generation. How
many others are going on and living for the Lord as a result of this
man's life and ministry? - If none, then he is not a LEADER!
b. FEED - He must be able to "cause" growth (only the Holy Spirit
causes real spiritual growth). He must have the spiritual giftedness to
not only communicate the Word of God, but he must know what to teach
and when to teach it. The ability to use a "Sunday School quarterly" is
not the ability to "Feed."
c. "RULE" - I Tim 5:17 "Let the elders that rule well be counted
worthy of double honor, "
1. "Proistemi" - "To stand before"
2. As a military officer who both stands before his troops in
leading as well as in responsibility.
F. God puts a high premium on leadership. Obedient leadership is
doubly blessed, disobedient leadership is doubly judged.
1. I Tim 5:17 "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of
double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.."
2. James 3:1 "Not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the
greater judgment."
3. Luke 12:48 "For unto whom much is given, of him shall be much
required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the
more."
4. Acts 20:26 "Wherefore, I testify unto you this day, that I am
pure from the blood of all men; for I have not shunned to declare unto
you all the counsel of God."
5. Ezek 33:8 "When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt
surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way,
that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require
at thine hand."
G. God does not excuse ignorance, slothfulness, or irresponsibility
as it pertains to the responsibilities of those in positions of
leadership within the local church.
H. When a man assumes a role of leadership (elder), God holds him
responsible to function efficiently and effectively within that role.
I. Church leadership positions are not "training" positions.
1. You should not give quarter to a leader who is "Adulterating" The
Word of God.
2. II Cor 2:17 "For we are not as many, who corrupt the Word of God;
but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in
Christ." "Make merchandise of, Peddle, Huckster, Adulterate,
Prostitute."
J. The qualities and characteristics listed in I Timothy and Titus
are not all that is required for an elder. Heb 13 - relationship
between the church and it's leadership. This is the type of
relationship that is the result of these characteristics. This
additional quality (watching for souls) is a result of spiritual
maturity and pursuit of his "Ministry" in the lives of those around
him. He doesn't assume a position of leadership and then begin to build
these types of relationships.
1. Heb 13:7, 13 "Remember them who have the rule over you, who have
spoken to you the Word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end
of their manner of life. Obey them that have the rule over you, and
submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must
give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for
that is unprofitable for you."
2. The basis for the believers submission to leadership is based on
the fact that leadership is first FUNCTIONING. That a "watching for
your soul" is already in progress.
3. In all Divine Institutions - submission to authority is always
the result of properly functioning leadership.
a. The wife is to submit - respond to the husband's leadership. The
husband is never to force submission.
b. Nation - Rom 13 - submission based on proper function. (Serious
problem with believers who do not know Doctrine - Divine Institutions,
Laws of Divine Establishment, Rom 13.)
4. The passage indicates there were elders there who were already
watching for the souls of the people, but due to false teachers (V:9),
the people were being carried about by various teachings. The people
were exhorted to obey and submit to those who were there who loved them
enough to "Watch for their Soul."
5. If a man does not understand and accept the responsibility to
"Watch for Souls" (stand before God, responsible for the leadership,
teaching, protection, direction...) he is not qualified as an Elder.
6. V:7 indicates these men where men of the Word - men who had
already shared and taught the Word to these people.
They were an example to these people. I Thes 1:5-10; 2:8-11, 19,20;
3:9-12; 4:11; Phil 1:7; Eph 1:16-17; Col 1:9-10; I Tim 1:3-4.
K. Sober Warning
1. I Tim 5:22 "Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily, and thus
share responsibility for the sins of others.."
2. Context is on church leadership "Elders."
3. To lower God's standards for leadership - because of ignorance or
expediency results in Divine Discipline. - "Good" intent becomes the
source of discipline.
4. James 3:1 "Not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the
greater judgment."
L. Disqualification from leadership.
1. The key issue is "blameless" this is the first qualification
listed in I Tim 3 and Titus 1. When anything in the life contradicts
biblical principles in a man's life, he is not qualified for the
positions of leadership. He may be discredited and bring discredit upon
the body by his past sins (though forgiven by God) by the observing
world.
2. I Cor 9:27 "But I keep my body, and bring it into subjection lest
that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be
as a castaway."
Paul knew that the day personal holiness ceased to be a part of his
life, his effectiveness also ceased. He would be disqualified from his
ministry.../ |