kerryn

Hello Cheryl and Lin

(if this is too much of a tangent, pls feel free to delete it cheryl… i am just ‘processing’ my own thoughts!)

i have been having a bit of a look at the issue of ‘authority’ this week – especially in terms of how this might relate to the analogy of Christ as head (kephale) of the Church as husband is head of the wife (eph 5). What amazes me is that so far in my reading (and it’s not been exhaustive by any means, so correct me if i have missed something important…) scripture does not actually emphasise Christ’s authority OVER the church. I do believe that as King of kings and Lord of lords Jesus has all power on heaven and earth (eg Mt 28:18) which of course includes the Church. Yet Scripture does not (from what i have studied so far) highlight Christ’s authority “over” his Body. Rather, Christ’s authority is over the “principalities” and “powers” of (eg: Eph 1:19-23) and exercised FOR his Church (Eph 1:22). Col 2:10 states we (the Church/Body of Jesus) have been given the fullness of Christ who is the head over every “power and authority”. It seems that those who misunderstand authority/power described in the verses that follow in Col 2:16-19 etc find themselves disconnected from THE HEAD. The ONLY head of the Church or ‘in’ the Church is Jesus Christ himself. No pastor/apostle/prophet etc is ever to be called/understood as the ‘head’ of the church. The example scripture uses to describe the husband as “Head” over the “wife” in Eph 5 as Christ is head over the Church has no emphasis on ruling or authority, but the most radical example (esp in the patriarchal society of the day) of selfless martyrdom – demonstrated by our wonderful Lord himself. Matt 20:20-28 emphatically states Jesus’ teaching on “authority” – the members of his Body are NOT to Lord it over one another as the “gentiles” do… but follow his example and become servant to all. Even when Jesus sends out his 12 disciples in Matt 9 it is about them using his authority over sickness/ disease/demons etc…. not over other people.

Cheryl, I heartily agree wtih your comments that no pastor has inate authority over a congregation. He (or she!) may be called to teach, but the Body is called to test everything he says in a loving Spirit-filled manner so that all may grow up into maturity together in Christ – not all grow into “being” the “head” themself. “All authority on heaven and earth” remains Christs. He works HIS power/authority through us as we represent him as His Body. But I don’t believe anyone gets to “claim” authority over another person. Even Paul ‘defending’ his apostleship to the Corinthians states “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. ?? For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (2 Cor 10:17-18). Paul tells the Galatians to watch out that neither he/ nor even an angel bring a ‘new’ gospel (Gal 1:7) and congratulates the Bereans for testing everything (Act 17:11), a sentiment echoed in other passages (cf. 1 Thess 5:21).

Dear Jesus, please help us to exercise YOUR authority over powers, principalities, demons and sickness but help us to serve our brothers and sisters in humility and submission.

(-:
kerryn