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Originally Posted by YP0534
Yes, but, brother Paul, you are assuming the part that you should prove.
You seem to believe that secular rule and "church authority" are somehow related.
I would have to testify to you that this is exactly the error in the Local Church that so many here are really concerned about.
God's authority which exists within the Body is entirely of a different kind from that found in secular governments and organizations, as also is the submission thereto.
Brothers Nee and Lee unfortunately didn't really see this problem for some reason and apparently neither do you. But this is really an essential element of recovery that has been lost since Rome first took charge in erroneously asserting the existence of a "universal church" modeled after and even joined to the secular government of Rome.
I hope you will consider this point more fully.
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Here's a very famous quote from the Lord Jesus Christ regarding submission to authority:
Quote:
Matthew 22:21
"Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
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Do you think the Lord Jesus Christ was exempted from the governing authorities in His time and He was only answerable to the heavenly authority?
I believe I am aware of the difference between "secular rule and "church authority" " but we cannot deny the very Word of God:
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Romans 13:1
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
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The "secular rule and "church authority" " are both established by God. Whether we like it or not our submission to them must be absolute.