Eldership

Peter Debelak · 09-16-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSA

Biblical authority is determined by our subjection to the authority of the Lord. There is no authority in the church apart from the Lord.

There are abuses of the authority in the church. But to deny authority itself because of the abuses is to go way too far. It is the same as denying parenthood just because some parents abuse their children.

Does the bible treat submission/obedience to spiritual authorities the same as it treats submission/obedience to human authorities?

When I saw "human authorities" - I am speaking of parents, governments, teachers, etc...

Authority for human authorities is static - it resides in the office and is not contingent on the person's acts being right or righteous. Does the Bible treat spiritual authority the same way?

If you say spritual authority resides in "offices", then I think the notion that "There is no authority in the church apart from the Lord" is difficult to maintain. That is, unless you propose that once someone holds a particular "office," then it is impossible for them to do other than the Lord's will. But we know this is impossible and thus, it is hard to maintain both propositions:

1) spiritual authority resides in an "office"
2) there is no spiritual authority apart from the Lord

Finally, do not take arguments here (at least not my arguments) as attempting to debunk spiritual authority. There is always spiritual authority and often it manifests through other believers. I am just discussing whether that authority is always static, in an office, and in a set structure. I wonder whether that view would have prohibited Paul from submitting to Ananias - or any of us being open to the fact that the Lord can speak to us through others, even those who don't hold any "office."

Also, I am not sure what you mean when you say meeting "in some kind of small groups that are detached from the rest of the body in our city." Really, I have no idea what this means - especially not in relation to whether eldership is prescribed. Could you elaborate?

Peter