Purpose And Power Of Authority (31 page)

Earthly authorities can release authority and power, but God Himself is the Omni-potent (omnipotent) one. He is the Potentate above all potentates. All legitimate authority that exists on earth—whether the authority of a king, queen, mother, father, boss, or anyone else—finds its origin in God. Again, if God doesn’t give someone authority, then he has none.

Let us look at some general Scripture passages in regard to the earthly authority of governments, and then some principles that follow. I believe that “judgment” in the first passage refers to self-destruction.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.(Romans 13:1–2)

Keeping a close watch on [Jesus], [the religious leaders] sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” He saw through their duplicity and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.(Luke 20:20–26)

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.(1 Peter 2:13–14)

Governmental Officials Are Accountable to God

Since God establishes authority, government officials are responsible before God for their actions, and they are accountable to Him for how they carry out their authority. Likewise, citizens are to consider these officials as “God’s servants.”

The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth
should not betray justice.…A throne is established through righteousness.(Proverbs 16:10, 12)

Rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.(Romans 13:3–5)

We Are to Respect Governmental Officials

God sometimes gives governmental authority even to those who don’t seem to acknowledge Him, and He uses them in His purposes. Remember that Jesus told Pilate, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above” (John 19:11). While we might not always understand why this is so, we should respect and obey all governmental authority, as far as we are able to in accordance with God’s principles. We should give the Creator honor for the authority He has over all the earth and also respect His earthly authority.

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.(Titus 3:1–2)

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.(Romans 13:6–8)

One of the characteristics of freedom in a republic, a democracy, or a constitutional monarchy is that the citizens can question the elected officials in relation to the trust that has been given to them—what they are doing and saying. It’s the citizens’ right to do this; they are expected to do it in order to keep elected officials accountable in relation to their positions.

Yet holding officials accountable sometimes disintegrates into relentless criticism that offers no support or concrete suggestions and doesn’t allow leaders to lead. There is a difference between requiring responsibility from officials and mocking, slandering, and gossiping about them and dispensing unproductive blame. This behavior is contrary to the teachings of the Scriptures. We should respect the positions of governmental officials.

We Are to Pray for Governmental Officials

Instead of complaining and mocking, citizens who are living under the Creator’s principles and laws are called to pray for governmental officials—that they would exercise genuine authority and have wisdom for the decisions they need to make. Paul wrote,

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.(1 Timothy 2:1–4)

How many of us truly respond to Paul’s urging? When we understand the principles of authority, we take this responsibility seriously. Since all rulers and leaders are ultimately under God’s authority, then He is the authority we can appeal to in relation to their decisions and behavior.

God’s Authority Supersedes Earthly Authority

We must realize, however, that when earthly authority figures try to compel us to do what would conflict with or be contrary to the Creator’s higher principles and laws, we cannot obey the earthly authority but must obey God, instead. Jesus’ followers in the first century encountered this situation:

“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” [the high priest] said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”(Acts 5:28–32)

Note that Peter, who wrote, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men” (1 Peter 2:13), also told those in authority, “We must obey God rather than men!”

When we find ourselves in such circumstances, we have this encouragement from the Authorized Dealer, Jesus Christ:

When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.(Luke 12:11–12)

This is another example of our Ultimate Authority protecting us and being responsible for us.

Government Is Intended for Order, Peace, and Joy

True authority is derived from eternal truths and principles, and this authority produces order. That is why “law and order” may be found together.

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.(Proverbs 29:2 nkjv)

Sadly, the eternal truths and principles of authority are not being taught in many schools, which are often sponsored and overseen by governments. Teachers are instructing children that there is no absolute truth, and so the basis for the foundation of authority is eroded. Teachers are told by their principals and educational organizations that they aren’t to exercise authority over the children in the form of correcting them, and this approach spirals down to influence the children’s behavior. When children have no respect for authority, it leads to a deterioration of relationships with their teachers and principals to the point where the teachers can’t do their jobs, and some children are now killing each other and their teachers in the schools. Then we wonder why the system is broken. Again, where there is no genuine authority, there will eventually be chaos.

In contrast, wherever people have good, genuine law, based on the principles of the Creator—and obey it—there is order and peace in their communities. George Washington wrote in his farewell address as the first president of the United States,

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men & citizens. The mere Politican, equally with the pious man ought to respect & to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private & public felicity.3

Jesus Christ Is King of Kings

Ultimately, all government on earth will be that of order, peace, and joy because it will be under the direct authority of our Authorized Dealer:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.(Isaiah 9:6–7)

On [Jesus’] robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.(Revelation 19:16)

The realm of the church is sometimes mistaken for the “institution” of the church. And while the life of the church is manifested in individual churches, denominations, and other religious groups, the true realm of the church consists in the fellowship of all those throughout the world who have been restored to God through the Authorized Dealer, Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ Is the Head, or Primary Authority

For [God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him. (Colossians 1:13–19, emphasis added)

God established the church, Jesus Christ is its “Head,” and He delegates authority to certain people to lead in this realm.

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28)

It was [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness
of Christ.(Ephesians 4:11–13)

For through [Christ] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.(Ephesians 2:18–20)

Responsibilities of Church Leaders

All those appointed with leadership authority and other specific gifts of authority (see 1 Corinthians 12:4–11) in the church are accountable to the Head for how they use their authority, have certain responsibilities in relation to their authority, and must conduct themselves according to God’s principles and laws:

To the elders among you, I [Peter] appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.(1 Peter 5:1–3)

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:1–13)