But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (1Co 11:3 NKJ)
The headship that Paul speaks about in 1Corinthians 11 concerns headship within a family. In a family, the head of a woman is her husband. Christ is the head of both the husband and the wife directly; however, the wife is also under the authority of her husband who is under the authority of Christ. This means that the wife has both the authority of Christ and her husband (who is under the authority of Christ) over her. But, the husband is not under the authority of the wife.
This also means that only the husband is the head of his wife. All men are not the head of all women. A man is the head of only his own wife; not somebody else’ wife. A woman doesn’t need to submit to someone who is not her husband. She is not under the authority of anyone else except her husband, as far as headship is concerned. For instance, the son of a woman is not the head of his mother just because he is male; but, she has authority over her son.
The headship of Christ applies to the Church as a singular body. In this case, there is no difference between male and female. Male members in a church have no advantage over women. The Spirit is not given through gender discrimination; but is poured out upon all singularly and equally. God does not give His Spirit by measure (Jn.3:34).
The headship of man also means that the wife should not try to assume authority over her husband as if trying to disciple him.
And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. (1Ti 2:12 NKJ)
She is to learn from her own husband in silent submission (1Tim.2:11; 1Cor.14:25).
1Corinthians 14:34 doesn’t imply that any woman is submissive to the males in the church. She only submits to the authority of her husband, and to the God-ordained authority in the church that every man and woman in the local church is equally called to obey. A woman who is in need of learning must ask her own husband at home. She is not permitted to speak (unintelligibly and opinionatedly (lalea –unintelligible talk) in the church. However, she can prophesy and pray (1Cor.11:5,13).
Showing posts with label Authority. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Authority. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Authority of an Apostle
1. To appoint elders in the churches (Acts 14:23)
2. To address problems in a local church that the church is failing to handle (1Cor.1:10,11; Phil.4:1)
3. To execute discipline regarding moral issues in the church (Acts 5:1-11; 1Cor.4:21; 2Cor.13:10)
4. To authorize churches to execute discipline in the absence of the apostle (1Cor.5:3-5)
5. To answer doctrinal questions of a local church and to prescribe rules (1Cor.7:1,17; 8:1)
6. To charge the churches and individuals in office to do things important for the body of Christ (1Thess.5:27; 1Tim.1:3,18; 5:21; 2Tim.4:1,2)
7. To appoint and send trustworthy individuals to oversee local churches in a geographical area for growth, health, and proper order (Tit.1:5; 1Tim.3:1ff; Phil.2:19,25,29).
8. To give instructions for certain matters of contextual significance (the instructions are not universally applicable universally) (1Cor.7:12, 25).
9. To receive financial support for ministry (but, not to charge them more than is proper) (2Cor.11:8; Phil.4:15-18; 2Thess.3:8-9)
10. To instruct the churches regarding collection of offerings (1Cor.16:1,2).
11. To confront those who oppose the message of the Gospel (Acts 13:8-11; Tit.1:11)
12. To receive reports from churches established by the apostle (Phil.2:19; 1Cor.1:11; 5:1)
13. To receive and handle freewill contributions for all saints (Acts 4:35,37)
14. To be entrusted with funds for the saints who are in need (2Cor.8:1-4, 19; 9:12,13).
15. To deal with leadership problems in the church (3Jn.1:9-10)
2. To address problems in a local church that the church is failing to handle (1Cor.1:10,11; Phil.4:1)
3. To execute discipline regarding moral issues in the church (Acts 5:1-11; 1Cor.4:21; 2Cor.13:10)
4. To authorize churches to execute discipline in the absence of the apostle (1Cor.5:3-5)
5. To answer doctrinal questions of a local church and to prescribe rules (1Cor.7:1,17; 8:1)
6. To charge the churches and individuals in office to do things important for the body of Christ (1Thess.5:27; 1Tim.1:3,18; 5:21; 2Tim.4:1,2)
7. To appoint and send trustworthy individuals to oversee local churches in a geographical area for growth, health, and proper order (Tit.1:5; 1Tim.3:1ff; Phil.2:19,25,29).
8. To give instructions for certain matters of contextual significance (the instructions are not universally applicable universally) (1Cor.7:12, 25).
9. To receive financial support for ministry (but, not to charge them more than is proper) (2Cor.11:8; Phil.4:15-18; 2Thess.3:8-9)
10. To instruct the churches regarding collection of offerings (1Cor.16:1,2).
11. To confront those who oppose the message of the Gospel (Acts 13:8-11; Tit.1:11)
12. To receive reports from churches established by the apostle (Phil.2:19; 1Cor.1:11; 5:1)
13. To receive and handle freewill contributions for all saints (Acts 4:35,37)
14. To be entrusted with funds for the saints who are in need (2Cor.8:1-4, 19; 9:12,13).
15. To deal with leadership problems in the church (3Jn.1:9-10)
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Authority and Power
The Greek word for authority is exousia and the word for power is dunamis.
Authority and power go together. Authority is backed by power. Authority uses and releases power.
1. Jesus had authority over diseases; but, He healed by the power of God (Luke 5:17; Mark 5:30).
2. Power is tangible; authority is official (Mark 5:30; Acts 4:31)
3. One can be filled with power; but, authority is delegated (Acts 6:8)
4. Faith releases the power of God (Eph.1:17,18,19; Mark 5:30; 9:23)
However, power of authority in politics differs from power of authority in the church and elsewhere. There is no authority greater than God since there is no power greater than God's - He is the Supreme Almighty.
1. Political authority uses physical power and force to enforce the law and execute justice (Matt.20:25; Rom.13:3-6)
2. Church authority has been given spiritual power to battle against spiritual forces of wickedness, to flash God's light, and to exercise the discipline of godliness in the Church (Luke 9:1; 10:19; 2Cor.10:4; Eph.6:10ff; 2Pet.1:3; Eph.3:20).
Authority and power go together. Authority is backed by power. Authority uses and releases power.
1. Jesus had authority over diseases; but, He healed by the power of God (Luke 5:17; Mark 5:30).
2. Power is tangible; authority is official (Mark 5:30; Acts 4:31)
3. One can be filled with power; but, authority is delegated (Acts 6:8)
4. Faith releases the power of God (Eph.1:17,18,19; Mark 5:30; 9:23)
However, power of authority in politics differs from power of authority in the church and elsewhere. There is no authority greater than God since there is no power greater than God's - He is the Supreme Almighty.
1. Political authority uses physical power and force to enforce the law and execute justice (Matt.20:25; Rom.13:3-6)
2. Church authority has been given spiritual power to battle against spiritual forces of wickedness, to flash God's light, and to exercise the discipline of godliness in the Church (Luke 9:1; 10:19; 2Cor.10:4; Eph.6:10ff; 2Pet.1:3; Eph.3:20).
Authority of Jesus
1. He had all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt.28:18)
a. He always had it as God (John 17:5)
b. He had authority from God and gave it to His disciples (Matt.8:9-10)
c. After His resurrection, He was glorified and given all authority as the Second Man (Matt.28:18)
a. He always had it as God (John 17:5)
b. He had authority from God and gave it to His disciples (Matt.8:9-10)
c. After His resurrection, He was glorified and given all authority as the Second Man (Matt.28:18)
2. He had authority in teaching (Matt.7:29)
3. He had authority over demons and the powers of darkness (Mark 1:27)
4. He had authority over diseases (Matt.4:23)
5. He had authority to forgive sins (Matt.9:6)
6. He had authority over nature (Mark 4:39,41; 11:21)
7. He had authority over life and death
a. Over His life (John 5:24; 10:17,18)
b. To kill and to resurrect (Mark 10:28; Luk 7:14; 15; John 5:25)
c. To give eternal life (John 17:2)
3. He had authority over demons and the powers of darkness (Mark 1:27)
4. He had authority over diseases (Matt.4:23)
5. He had authority to forgive sins (Matt.9:6)
6. He had authority over nature (Mark 4:39,41; 11:21)
7. He had authority over life and death
a. Over His life (John 5:24; 10:17,18)
b. To kill and to resurrect (Mark 10:28; Luk 7:14; 15; John 5:25)
c. To give eternal life (John 17:2)
8. Authority to execute judgment (John 5:27)
Authority of the Church
The Church has authority in Jesus Name
1. In doctrine - To preach the Gospel and uphold the truth of God (Matt.28:18-20; 1Tim.3:15)
2. On earth and in heaven - to bind and to loose (Matt.18:18)
3. Over diseases and death - To heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead (Matt.10:8)
4. Over demons (serpents and scorpions) - To tread over them and to cast them out (Luke10:19)
5. Over nature and situations (mountains, trees, creatures) (Mark 11:23; Matt.21:20; Mark 16:18)
6. To pray and receive (John 15:16; 16:24,26)
a. To pray for the people of God for their protection and for spiritual victories (Eph.6:18; 2Thess.3:1; Heb.13:18)
b. To pray for all men (1Tim.2:1)
c. To pray for political rulers and change political history (1Tim.2:2)
d. To pray to receive what they need from God's resources provided for them
1. In doctrine - To preach the Gospel and uphold the truth of God (Matt.28:18-20; 1Tim.3:15)
2. On earth and in heaven - to bind and to loose (Matt.18:18)
3. Over diseases and death - To heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead (Matt.10:8)
4. Over demons (serpents and scorpions) - To tread over them and to cast them out (Luke10:19)
5. Over nature and situations (mountains, trees, creatures) (Mark 11:23; Matt.21:20; Mark 16:18)
6. To pray and receive (John 15:16; 16:24,26)
a. To pray for the people of God for their protection and for spiritual victories (Eph.6:18; 2Thess.3:1; Heb.13:18)
b. To pray for all men (1Tim.2:1)
c. To pray for political rulers and change political history (1Tim.2:2)
d. To pray to receive what they need from God's resources provided for them
7. To forgive or retain sins of people against them (John 20:23)
8. To rule and appoint and serve each other in submission, love, and humility (Matt.20:25,26; Tit.1:5)
9. For discipline in the Church (1Cor.5:4,5,11; 4:21)
10. For the execution of God-given responsibilities in the world (Mark 13:34)
11. God-given authority in the Church must be honored (Heb.13:7,17; Jude 1:8)
12. Church authority is pastoral, servant-minded, and ruled by love (1Pet.5:2,3,4).
God will entrust more authority in the age to come to the one who is faithful to fruitfully use all the authority given to him/her here on earth today (Luke 19:17)
8. To rule and appoint and serve each other in submission, love, and humility (Matt.20:25,26; Tit.1:5)
9. For discipline in the Church (1Cor.5:4,5,11; 4:21)
10. For the execution of God-given responsibilities in the world (Mark 13:34)
11. God-given authority in the Church must be honored (Heb.13:7,17; Jude 1:8)
12. Church authority is pastoral, servant-minded, and ruled by love (1Pet.5:2,3,4).
God will entrust more authority in the age to come to the one who is faithful to fruitfully use all the authority given to him/her here on earth today (Luke 19:17)
Authority of the Devil
The devil has also some authority (exousia) in this world (Acts 26:18). There are authorities and rulers of darkness in the heavenly places (Eph.6:12), against whom the Church is engaged in a battle. The authority of the devil is called "power of darkness" (Col.1:13).
These evil authorities have been disarmed by Jesus; so, they have no power over the church. (Col.2:15; Matt.16:18). The child of God is delivered from the authority of the devil and from the kingdom of darkness and is transferred to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18; Col.1:13). He is a citizen of heaven and is protected by the forces of heaven (Phil.3:20; Psa.91:11; Heb.1:14). The devil has no authority over the believer (1John 5:18).
However, the world still lies under the wicked one (1John 5:19)
The devil is called the Prince of the power (exousia) of the air, the spirit that now works among the disobedient (Eph.2:2; Job 2:2)
He is called the god of this world or age (2Cor.4:4)
His workings are known as the mystery of iniquity (2Thess.2:7)
The devil will give great power and authority to the Anti-Christ during the 7-year Great Tribulation (Rev.13:2) (He tried to approach Jesus too, but failed (Luke 4:6,7).
But, Jesus will bring the devil and his powers to an end (Rev.17:13,14; 19:20; 20:10).
Sometimes, God allows the devil to oppress His servants; but, God controls the whole event and protects His servants (Job 2:6; 2Cor.12:7; 1John 5:18; 1Pet.1:5; 5:8,9; James 4:7)
These evil authorities have been disarmed by Jesus; so, they have no power over the church. (Col.2:15; Matt.16:18). The child of God is delivered from the authority of the devil and from the kingdom of darkness and is transferred to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18; Col.1:13). He is a citizen of heaven and is protected by the forces of heaven (Phil.3:20; Psa.91:11; Heb.1:14). The devil has no authority over the believer (1John 5:18).
However, the world still lies under the wicked one (1John 5:19)
The devil is called the Prince of the power (exousia) of the air, the spirit that now works among the disobedient (Eph.2:2; Job 2:2)
He is called the god of this world or age (2Cor.4:4)
His workings are known as the mystery of iniquity (2Thess.2:7)
The devil will give great power and authority to the Anti-Christ during the 7-year Great Tribulation (Rev.13:2) (He tried to approach Jesus too, but failed (Luke 4:6,7).
But, Jesus will bring the devil and his powers to an end (Rev.17:13,14; 19:20; 20:10).
Sometimes, God allows the devil to oppress His servants; but, God controls the whole event and protects His servants (Job 2:6; 2Cor.12:7; 1John 5:18; 1Pet.1:5; 5:8,9; James 4:7)
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Political Authority
Political authority is from God and political authorities are appointed by God (Rom.13:1). In fact, God calls one of the secular political authorities as the anointed of God (Isaiah 45:1). A political administrator is called as God's minister or servant (Rom.13: 4,6). Political authority in the world is usually secular (Matt.22:21; 1Cor.5:12,13). The Bible teaches us that when the just and righteous are in authority, people rejoice; but, when the wicked rule, the people groan (Prov.29:2). Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Prov.14:34).
Nature of Political Authority
1. Temporal
a. Began after the Noahic Flood (Gen.9:6)
b. Will be brought to an end by Christ at the end of this age (1Cor.15:24)
2. Rules by Fear (Rom.13:3,4)
3. God-given and God-appointed (Dan.4:17,25; 5:21; Rom.13:1)
4. Represents God's authority (Rom.13:2)
5. Moral - Law and Rule appeal to Conscience (Rom.13:5)
6. Secular - i.e., separate from religion (Matt.22:21; 1Cor.5:12,13; Rom.13:6,7)
7. Has God-given power to execute temporal justice (Rom.13:4; Prov.16:14,15)
8. Is not sovereign in itself, but accountable to and limited by God (John 19:10,11; Acts 12:21,22,23).
Forms of Political Government Seen in the Bible
1. Anarchy - anti-government; "might is right" versus rule of moral law (Gen.6:1,2; Jdg.17:6)
2. Patriarchal - Rule by the Head of a family or clan (Gen.9:24-27; 14:22-24)
3. Theocratic Judiciary- Mosaic Law (which included rule by Judges (Jdg.2:16-18). The main role of the Temple ministry was to educate the people in the Laws of God and to clarify questions regarding the application of law (Eze.44:23,24); but, the elders were executives of justice (Exo.18:21,22,25,26) ; temporarily sought in post-exilic period (Ezra 10:14)).
5. Monarchy (1Sam.10:19) - There came a point when kings could interfere with the temple, but not against the Mosaic Law (1Kgs.8:17-19; 1Kgs.2:27).
6. Oligarchy or Aristocracy (Prov.22:7)
7. Totalitarian (Dan.8:23-25)
8. Democracy (Matt.27:21,22 - Of course, the Roman government was not democratic, but the episode referred here has a democratic sense to some extent).
Nature of Political Authority
1. Temporal
a. Began after the Noahic Flood (Gen.9:6)
b. Will be brought to an end by Christ at the end of this age (1Cor.15:24)
2. Rules by Fear (Rom.13:3,4)
3. God-given and God-appointed (Dan.4:17,25; 5:21; Rom.13:1)
4. Represents God's authority (Rom.13:2)
5. Moral - Law and Rule appeal to Conscience (Rom.13:5)
6. Secular - i.e., separate from religion (Matt.22:21; 1Cor.5:12,13; Rom.13:6,7)
7. Has God-given power to execute temporal justice (Rom.13:4; Prov.16:14,15)
8. Is not sovereign in itself, but accountable to and limited by God (John 19:10,11; Acts 12:21,22,23).
Forms of Political Government Seen in the Bible
1. Anarchy - anti-government; "might is right" versus rule of moral law (Gen.6:1,2; Jdg.17:6)
2. Patriarchal - Rule by the Head of a family or clan (Gen.9:24-27; 14:22-24)
3. Theocratic Judiciary- Mosaic Law (which included rule by Judges (Jdg.2:16-18). The main role of the Temple ministry was to educate the people in the Laws of God and to clarify questions regarding the application of law (Eze.44:23,24); but, the elders were executives of justice (Exo.18:21,22,25,26) ; temporarily sought in post-exilic period (Ezra 10:14)).
5. Monarchy (1Sam.10:19) - There came a point when kings could interfere with the temple, but not against the Mosaic Law (1Kgs.8:17-19; 1Kgs.2:27).
6. Oligarchy or Aristocracy (Prov.22:7)
7. Totalitarian (Dan.8:23-25)
8. Democracy (Matt.27:21,22 - Of course, the Roman government was not democratic, but the episode referred here has a democratic sense to some extent).
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