gengwall

Cheryl #11
Exactly what I was trying to say. Burleson is not advocating the complete destruction of all hierarchy and authority in the church. His assertion is that “authoritarian control” is misused and abused authority. He is still in a position of authority in his church, but he exercises his authority through humility, service, and love.

There are three words used in the NT for church authorities. Now, Strongs may have it wrong, but here is what they say about each specifically as it applies to the church.

presbyteros – elder
2) a term of rank or office
b) among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably.

episkop? – bishop
b) oversight
1) overseership, office, charge, the office of an elder
2) the overseer or presiding officers of a Christian church

diakone? – deacon
1)) to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon
c) to minister i.e. supply food and necessities of life
2) to take care of the poor and the sick, who administer the office of a deacon
3) in Christian churches to serve as deacons

Now – if people can’t see any hierarchy and authority in those definitions, I really can’t help them. even the position of deacon, while primarily a serving position, still required administration which involves authority. There simply is no way to wave a magic wand and pretend that even in the earliest days of the church that there was no authority structure.