Kristen

BTW, I agree that authority in the Kingdom is based on the authority of Christ and His teachings, and on the inspired teachings of the apostles which later became the New Testament. “Authentein” is a word that is related to the word “authority,” and I think it does have something to do with authority. But I’m NOT saying (and I’m not sure Payne is saying) that “seizing authority” is the same as “assuming authority for themselves without a properly delegated authority from men.” Who properly delegates authority? God. In whose authority do teachers teach? In Christ’s. Men do not “delegate” authority. A congregation and its elders may acknowledge or recognize the giftedness of a person to teach, and that person may then be a “teacher” to teach God’s authoritative teachings. I think “teach-and-authentein” has something to do with overriding the acknowledged, recognized teaching gift of another and teaching as if you yourself had that acknowledged, recognized gift to be a “teacher.”
I hope that clarifies my position. 🙂