Paula

Yes, we have some delegated authority in proportion to our responsibility. But these examples of authority point to that done by the entire congregation and not selected individuals such as “pastors”.

Teachers, for example (see James) will be held to a higher standard. Why? Because they are looked up to as examples. Yet even so, they are never given authority to rule or boss as individuals. Even elders were to be publicly reprimanded if they strayed (1 Tim. 5), and the minimum 2 witnesses were not specified to be from any select group. So while leaders have some authority and responsibility, it is not absolute; even they must answer to the people.

But all of this depends upon how “authority” is defined. The authority taken by leaders in The Institution has no basis in scripture. It is an autocratic rule which the people are not to question. It stifles the expression of various spiritual gifts and calls only some of them “authoritative” and thereby off-limits to many. It demands that all others follow its “vision”. It is very much like that taken by Diotrephes.

That would be an interesting study: why was Diotrephes someone John intended to rebuke? How was Diotrephes’ leadership wrong?