Spiritual Leaders in the Local Church - Chapter 3
The Authority of Spiritual Rulers In The Local Church
or
What is the sphere of their rule?
by Fred G. Zaspel
Published by Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, PA
copyright © 1987; revised, 1998. All rights reserved
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Chapter 3
The Authority of Spiritual Rulers In The Local Church
or
What is the sphere of their rule?
We have seen that the elders-bishops-pastors are given authority from Christ to rule His church. These and no others are commanded to rule and to be obeyed.It is necessary to recognize, however, that there have been errors to either side of this. Many elders have failed to exercise the authority given them in their rule while others have clearly exceeded their bounds. The next step, then, is to determine the realm or sphere of their authority. That they have authority cannot really be questioned; precisely what type of authority they possess must now be determined also.
Surveying the Evidence
Some statements specify very clearly that the elders rule in the Word. I Timothy 5:17, for example, speaks of some elders who rule particularly by "laboring in the Word and doctrine." The writer to the Hebrews commands the believers to follow the faith of their rulers (13:7). This is the idea behind Paul's command to Timothy to "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (II Timothy 4:2). Elders rule in matters of doctrine, faith.
Elders are further given rule in other matters of a spiritual nature. That is, they are responsible to take the principles of the Word of God and apply them to specific matters of personal life. This is what Paul had in mind when he commanded the Thessalonian believers to regard highly those who are "over you in the Lord" (I Thessalonians 5:12). This is also the point of Hebrews 13:17 which commands believers, "obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves." The elders have authority in matters of faith and its related practice.
Finally, the New Testament extends this authority over the affairs of the church generally. This is clear from passages which speak of their "overseeing" or managing the church in general without mentioning specifics (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-2). The elders are to be esteemed and held in high favor (I Thessalonians 5:12-13) and are to rule the church as they should rule their own house (I Timothy 3:4-5).
Conclusion
Elders are not given authority to tyrannically dictate in matters of no consequence. They are not authorized to give commands in trivial, non-moral matters. Neither are they permitted to demand total compliance in matters involving the Christian's liberty. Nor can their rule be followed when and if that rule is in conflict with the Word of God. Their authority is in the Word as it applies to matters of church and personal life and extends to the managing of the church in general. Therefore, the judgments of elders in regard to faith and its related practice are to be obeyed (of course, so long as such judgments are not in violation of the Word of God; cf. Acts 5:29). It would be in keeping with these principles to further give certain priority to their judgments in extra- scriptural matters of concern to the church (e.g., decisions regarding church organization, administration, etc.), although this privilege must not be abused.
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