Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
Power of position is either something conferred by another, exerted by force, or granted by consent. But no matter how closely you think you can link power and authority, they are never the same thing...
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I was addressing power as it is revealed in the Scripture. I am an outsider to the LC, so I can't address how authority has been abused in the LC. From what I've heard here, Witness Lee was disqualified from Biblical authority as a church leader according to Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3 a long time ago and his writings after the disqualifying events should be considered dubious. Such is also the case when Nee demanded allegiance to himself to return to leadership in Shanghai(?) after having been away in London.
Romans 13 addresses exousia speaking of evil civil authorities. There is no authority apart from what God ordains. That doesn't mean that there aren't bullies, thugs and warlords that exercise power violently but have no legitimate position of authority from God.
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.