This post will address just one line of the
shepherdingwords.org website. The sheer volume of things to unpack and crooked lines to set straight on the website is so large it is prohibitive, but maybe a few examples will suffice to make the point.
In the deputy authority article, in the “Is deputy authority Biblical?” section, one line says: "In ascension He sent out apostles as His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20; Eph. 6:20; 2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10)…”
They support this statement with numerous verse references…..but let’s actually look at those verses! (In some cases I will include part of the prior verse for context):
1. 2 Cor. 5:20 - …And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
This verse is very clearly about ambassadors whose specific responsibility is to spread a ministry or message of reconciliation. Just a few verses later in chapter 6 he clearly states they are "servants of God". This is very clearly an ambassadorship to BRING people to God…..not to BE God to people. In no place is a top-down "deputy authority" type ambassadorship mentioned or implied.
All reading should note…..we now all have this ambassadorship. We all can bring and have the authority to bring the message of reconciliation to people. This is not a verse that can in any way support the “deputy authority” granted to a select group in the churches as passed off and mis-applied by the co-workers.
2. Ephesians 6:20 - 19 And for me, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known in boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in a chain, that in it I would speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Again, the ambassadorship mentioned here is to spread the gospel. It is not a top-down authoritarian situation in which those underneath must submit whether the authority is right or wrong. In these verses the ambassador is even in chains! The heavy-handed, fear-based "deputy authority" of the LSM local churches is so far from this verse it is not even funny.
3. 2 Corinthians 10:8 – For even if I should boast somewhat more abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord has given for building you up and not for overthrowing you, I will not be put to shame.
Let’s look at how Paul talks in this chapter in other surrounding verses:
-10:1 – But I myself Paul….in person am base among you…
-10:5 – ….take captive every thought unto the obedience of Christ.
-10:9 – I say this so as not to seem as if I am terrifying you through my letters,
-10:10 – …his [Paul’s] bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible.
-10:12 – For we do not dare to class or compare ourselves with any of those who commend themselves…
-10:13 – But we will not boast beyond our measure but according to the measure of the rule which the God of measure has apportioned to us…
-10:14 – For we are not extending ourselves beyond our bounds…
-10:15-16 – …according to our rule unto abundance, So that we may announce the gospel unto those parts beyond you
This authority, as stated in 10:8, is for building up. The rest of the chapter is repeatedly clear that this is a meek, lowly authority. Just as Jesus demonstrated while on earth. This is not the deputy authority of the local churches.
4. 2 Corinthians 13:10 – Therefore I write these things while being absent in order that when present I would not [have to] use severity, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for overthrowing.
Once again, authority is for building up, not overthrowing or strongarming. It is well worthy to acknowledge the prior verse 9: “For we rejoice whenever we are weak and you are powerful; this also we pray for, your perfecting.”
Concerning the phrase “…we rejoice whenever we are weak”, one Bible commentary says this – “Appear to be so, look like persons disarmed of all power and authority; the apostles rejoiced when they had no occasion of exerting themselves, and of exercising that high office, and extraordinary commission they had received of Christ Jesus:”
Does this sound like the local church deputy authority to you?
Bottom line: These verses do not remotely support deputy authority in the way it is spoken from the podium or practiced in the local churches.