Submission to Spiritual Authority
Just a couple of thoughts I had on the subject of submission to spiritual leaders in the church.
First of all, there are many clear and emphatic scriptures in the Bible about submission to spiritual leaders……and it’s all wonderful. The Bible is very clear on the subject of submission, not just in the church, but also for husbands, wives, children, and employees, to civil, parental, and spiritual authority.
As I read the scriptures I see a couple of words in the Bible that are synonymous with submission; Honor, respect, giving, love and humility
Find a person who understands submission to authority and you’ll see a person who is humble, full of love, unselfish, accountable, and personally responsible.
Find a person who does not understand submission to authority and you’ll see a person who is prideful, full of criticism, selfish, self ruled, and spiritually irresponsible.
BIBLICAL SUBMISSION IS NOT SLAVERY, It is a very fundamental principle of life that is to be practiced in the world and the church.
There are many scriptures on how spiritual authority should govern and guide the church as well as instructions about the right response to authority, both civil and spiritual.
Understand the principle of submission and you’ll understand the practice of submission
WARNING: Beware of people who are always finding fault with the leadership of the church and the church it’s self, for they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Their heart is rebellious and their fruit is pride and dishonor. They seek to destroy people, the church and even the faith while lifting up themselves and their “cause”. They are bitter against leaders and long for control. Watch out for them for they claim to love God and His commands.
Let’s go to the scriptures about submission to spiritual authority:
- Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Jesus is head of the church and He has established these offices as well as people to be leaders with authority in those offices over the church. God also has given these leaders the responsibility to serve, oversee, and establish HIS word and commands for HIS church in the earth
- Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
Clearly this is not talking about civil authorities, but spiritual authority. It says OBEY and SUBMIT. (swear words to some Christians). But Paul also said, PRAY for spiritual leaders.
Submission to spiritual authority is about a functional relationship of love and honor, to God first, then to man
Look at these two scriptures about honoring spiritual leaders.
1 Tim. 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Thess. 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are
over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
I’ve noticed that people who have the biggest problem with authority in the church usually carry resentment because they want to be in charge themselves and can’t be.
More than ruling over people, spiritual authority has an obligation to Jesus Christ to love, feed, and protect the flock of God. And God has given them His grace and authority to govern. Along with that responsibility comes instruction, counsel, warning, correction, and even rebuke when necessary. Spiritual authority is more than a title; it is a relationship with people. They stand as servants, ministers, and even spiritual parents in the lives of God’s people.
1 Cor. 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sonsI warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
In many instances Paul gave commands to the church and even put people out of the church for disobedience and sin. In fact one time Paul said that the leaders of the church were to turn someone over to Satan that they learn not to blaspheme. Listen to this scripture;
2 Thess. 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Leaders are to be a strong godly example and to lead in strength and certainty. However, many people are offended by this quality and cry “spiritual abuse”. They are simply offended at God’s word rather than the leader.
- Eph. 5:20-25, 28
Vs. 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Vs. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Vs. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
The principles of submission in this passage are submitting in the fear of God and as unto the Lord and loving and giving as Jesus did.
“Children obey your parents…because it’s right” (Eph. 6:1)
“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord” (Col. 3:20)
Submission isn’t a power struggle but rather a mutual relationship of love, humility, and respect.
Submission is a principle that should be practiced in every area of life, including the church, for it is godly order and divine principles for safety and success.
AGAIN; Understand the principle of submission and you’ll understand the practice of submission
Many Christians who do not want to submit to the authority in the church do not want to submit at home.
- 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
This is another example of spiritual leadership and authority
As Christians we are commanded to LOVE and SERVE one another. (Gal. 5:13)
The real love of Jesus is expressed through submission
This is not about the abuse of a title but rather a mutual relationship of love, humility, and respect that starts with our submission to God first than man.
Shocking scripture about Civil Authority;
Rom. 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
- The correlation between governmental authority or “non-spiritual” authority and God’s authority is very clear.
- God has not only established authority among men but, honors their judgment and punishment
- “The higher powers” or “rulers” are called MINISTERS OF GOD
(vs 4) so one could say that they are a type of “spiritual authority” - First the natural then the spiritual. Why would God expect you to obey the natural authority and not the spiritual authority? Isn’t it God that places pastors and elders over the church to feed the flock of God and to watch over the church?
NOTICE: Only those breaking the law have an issue with the law! It’s the same in the church; only those who hate authority will not submit to authority. But those who understand the principle of authority understand the practice of submission .
Two examples:
- Joshua with Moses
Numbers 27:20 (the Lord speaking to Moses about Joshua’s ordination) And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
Joshua 1:16 And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. 17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
We see that the principles of submission were operating in the Old Testament in the Life of Moses and the Children of Israel, who were called “the church in the wilderness” by Stephen in the Book of Acts.
A key here is that Joshua was referred to as, “Joshua, the servant of Moses” long before He was placed as the Leader. Also Joshua was called the “minister of Moses”.
Submission is about being a servant out of love for God and others. Jesus constantly admonished the disciples to be servants and to lay their life down for the Gospels sake instead of being concerned about ruling over people.
Submission is a position you take and then a condition you live
- Jesus submitting to his parents or those over Him in the Lord.Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Jesus not only showed us submission to natural authorities but He also demonstrated submission to spiritual authority when he said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)
Look at the results of His submission to His natural authority,
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52
And of course look at the results of His submission to His spiritual authority…….
Jesus developed favor with God and man by being under authority and therefore being answerable for His character
Look at the lives of those who do not like spiritual authority, most often they refuse to be answerable for their character.
NOW:
Has there been abuse with spiritual leaders? ABSOLUTELY! Just as there has been abuse with money, love, and freedom, but that doesn’t make those things bad or invalid. The mistakes by church leaders and Christians is not an excuse to violate godly principles. But they must be upheld and practiced the way God intended.
The Bible is very clear about how spiritual leaders and authority in the church ought to behave and minister. It gives several strong warnings towards abusive and greedy leaders. Jesus called them hirelings and on many occasions openly rebuked them.
Being a spiritual leader in the church is not about the title one has but rather the responsibility of the title.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s
heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
IN THE END:
When you understand the principle of submission you’ll understand the authority of God. The point of submission to spiritual leaders, governmental leaders and parents is love and submission to God first then to man.
1 john 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Good post.
I have found that sometimes God will let you get into a misunderstanding or a disagreement with a spiritual leader to test you. Our ability to correctly navigate this and deal with the misunderstanding in our attitude and situation is the measure of our maturity.
I’ve found many bitter, dsillusioned sheep roaming around. Most often they have become that way – not because they were prideful and arrogant — but because someone in leadership took advantage of a willingness to submit, and took it to extremes. If you read some of the examples of abuse in churches, you marvel at how some have survived in the church, and cease to marvel at why some have left the church.
Thanks for this information. I believe it is an informative, accurate biblical representation of authority. In fact, I have incorporated most of it in our fundamentals course.
Hebrews 13:17 the word translated obey, is also translated as agree, assure, belive, to have confidence in. As the church leadership teaches, you should listen and be pursueded to follow, ONLY if what they are teaching is found in Gods word. In Jonestown, the people were told they must submit to Jim Jones, and albeit an extreme case, they submitted and drank the Kookaid laced with poison, and almost 1000 people died. In Hebrews 5:9, the word obey is translated, to hear under, to listen attentivly. To heed or to conform to a command. Hebrews 5:9, is speaking of obedience to Jesus Christ. Its speaking of if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. On the other hand Hebrews 13:17 is once again speaking of being teachable by the leadership of your church. It is not telling you to blindly follow everything that someone in your leadership might want you to do. The word “rule” in this verse, means to lead or to guide.
The leadership of your church will not be standing with you, when you stand before God. Every person will personally give an account of their lives. Jesus and the apostles never taught that a believer is to do anything that a leader in the church tells you to do. A true leader is not a commander, but according to Jesus, is a servant. A proper study of Gods word is important for theological reasons. Hebrews 13:17 is commonly quoted in connection with the Biblical view of authority and submission. If you misinterpret this verse, it will have effects that can be very damaging to the church. Many times this verse is taken out of context, allowing many to abuse their authority in the church without being questioned, and God forbid you question them. If you question them, you will get labled bitter, devisive, trying to break up the church, a sheep in wolves clothing etc. The misuderstanding to this verse, typically comes from a misunderstanding of the greek translation of the word obey. The mis-teachings on this, typically end up in a continual preaching on submission to authority, and you will do as we say, or you are out of here. This kind of teaching comes from a lack of understanding of the scriptures.
If pastors and leaders in your church are continually preaching on submission to their authority you can be assured, that trouble is just around the corner. If pastors are telling you who you can and can not fellowship with, this is not biblical teaching. If pastors or leaders in your church or people you attend church with have shunned you, ignored you, judged you, gossiped about you, for whatever reason, then you need to get counsel outside of your church, because chances are you are in an unhealthy church environment.
Pastors, and church leaders have no place and no right to try to control your life under the guise of “submission to their authority” and tell you what you can and can’t do, or if you do this, we will stop talking with you. We will stop fellowshipping with you, or kick you out of the church. That is control, manipulation, and them running your life, and is not biblical teaching, and has no place in the church. They have no right to point their finger at you and judge you, and treat you bad, under the guise of, “it’s tough love” or, “we do this because we care about you”.
They have no right to make life decisions that are between you, God and your family. It’s not their business. If you want to ask them for counsel, or advice, that’s another thing. Then they of course are free to counsel you, but not demand that you do what they want you to do.
I do believe in BIBLICAL SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY. This is what biblical submission is: A pastors biblical authority over you is to teach the word of God, and to represent the word of God. A true shepherd, won’t demand submission, or shout you down from the pulpit, or try to control and manipulate your life.
The ultimate authority in your life, is your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Not a pastor, telling you what they feel you should or should not do. Using it in that context is not scriptural in the least, but takes holy scripture out of context, and twists it to make it work for those in question.
God bless you all