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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
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What is the nature...
- Thread starter Bible
- Start date
EvolvingChristian
Member
Hi Bible and welcome to CF 
There are fourteen definitions of the word authority listed below found in the Strong's Exhausted Concordance in the Greek Dictionary. Greek definition: (exousia, ex-oo-see'-ah) freedom, influence, delegate, jurisdiction, ability, control, force, privilege, strength, liberty, mastery, competency, power and right
I will use delegate for one of the aspects of the nature of the church being that of the body of Christ with He being the head of the body.
DELEGATE means a person who is authorized to act as a representative of another. God gives us his power and authority to be his representatives here on earth through diversities of those gifts given by his Spirit for the purpose of his ministry. In Gods ministry there are many functions to be performed in order for everything to run properly. If one person takes on the responsibility of to many functions in time that person will wear themselves out and their performance or duties will suffer consequences for themselves and everyone else involved. Jesus gave delegation to those twelve disciples he chose to further the kingdom of God by using many members, but as one body in faith. A leader is not greater than those who are under their authority for it takes many talents to function as a whole, but they do have the authority to oversee that everything is working properly. Even though God has given us his power and authority if we let this power overtake us in such away that we feel like we are superior to others than and there will be our own downfall. A delegation has to work as one body to maintain proper order to keep the task at hand moving properly and orderly.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Romans 12:4 for as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office:
Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
I will use delegate for one of the aspects of the nature of the church being that of the body of Christ with He being the head of the body.
DELEGATE means a person who is authorized to act as a representative of another. God gives us his power and authority to be his representatives here on earth through diversities of those gifts given by his Spirit for the purpose of his ministry. In Gods ministry there are many functions to be performed in order for everything to run properly. If one person takes on the responsibility of to many functions in time that person will wear themselves out and their performance or duties will suffer consequences for themselves and everyone else involved. Jesus gave delegation to those twelve disciples he chose to further the kingdom of God by using many members, but as one body in faith. A leader is not greater than those who are under their authority for it takes many talents to function as a whole, but they do have the authority to oversee that everything is working properly. Even though God has given us his power and authority if we let this power overtake us in such away that we feel like we are superior to others than and there will be our own downfall. A delegation has to work as one body to maintain proper order to keep the task at hand moving properly and orderly.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Romans 12:4 for as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office:
Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Christ is the head of the church, so we are all under His authority. This means that we must pay attention to what He and His apostles taught, so our standard of authority is the Bible. However, the Bible also teaches that leaders of the church are to be respected, insofar as they operate within the standard of scripture. IOW, a pastor or priest does not have absolute authority over the congregation.
As Christians, we should also submit to governmental authorities, insofar as they do not violate clear teaching of scripture. Rom. 13 explains this.
When the NT tells us to submit to one another (in the fear of Christ), it's not talking about absolute submission in the sense that we cannot say "no" to someone. Unity, harmony, and peace is what that is talking about. All authority is to be exercised in love, and all submission is to be exercised in love.
Hope this helps.