Discipleship Series-YOUR PASTORS & LEADERS

 For Bethel's Thursday night Bible Study Class, Bro. Jonathan Walker taught on a portion of the Discipleship Series on the topic of Your Pastors & Leaders.  He was given the daunting task of talking about summitting to those in authority. Before he went into depth of the lesson, he did make a reference to Daniel Chapter 3 which is in reference to the time when you do not submit to authority and that is if it's against God's word and law. As I have done in the past, I will pull a portion of the lesson directly from the notes that are posted on the Bethel App. Bro.  Walker did not get very far into the lesson. I will share a small portion of it with you here.

Romans 13:1-7 – “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. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” Ephesians 4:11-12 – “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” 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.”

Amplified version of Romans 13:1-7: “Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment. 2 Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them]. 3 For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation. 4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God’s wrath and escape punishment, but also as a matter of principle and for the sake of conscience. 6 For this same reason you pay taxes, for [the civil authorities] are official servants under God, devoting themselves to attending to this very service. 7 Render to all men their dues. [Pay] taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.”

Government and civil administration are obviously permitted, allowed and ordained of God. 1. Rebellion, disobedience, revolt and insubordination are not of God. In 1 Samuel 15:23 rebellion is equated with the sin of witchcraft. 2. The law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7) teaches us that if we sow disobedience and rebellion we will reap the bitter fruit of insurrection and insubordination. C. The apostle Paul clearly expected believers to teach and practice obedience to civil government. • Titus 3:1 – “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates...”

 The only time we are instructed to disobey the instructions, laws and commands of civil authorities is when obeying them would contradict the principles of the Word of God. • Acts 5:29 – “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” 2. When man’s laws do not contradict God’s laws, we are accountable to obey man’s laws. In instances where a conflict exists, we are accountable to obey God first and foremost. 3. This even includes the unpleasant responsibility of paying legal taxes (Matthew 22:21, 17:24-27). D. To resist governmental authority is to resist God. God considers our obedience to human government as part of our obedience to Him. • 1 Peter 2:13-15 – “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” 

If it is important that Christians obey civil authority, how much more responsible and accountable we must be toward spiritual authority. • 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.” 1. Amplified version of Hebrews 13:17: • “Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them – continually recognizing their authority over you; for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account (of their trust). (Do your part to) let them do this with gladness, and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you (either).” 2. Just as civil authority is ordained of God, so spiritual authority is bestowed and ordained of God. B. Disregarding, rejecting, or substituting God’s order of authority always brings calamity. 1. The rebellion of Korah: Numbers 16

 Four men (Korah, Dathan, Abiram and On) gathered together 250 distinguished princes of Israel and rebelled against the authority of Moses. These insurgent leaders said to Moses, “You are not the only holy person among us. We are all holy. Why do you set yourself above us to tell us what we should do?” Korah inspired a revolt against Moses’ leadership because he felt that since he also heard from God he was, therefore, not subject to the authority of Moses. God was so angry at this mutiny that he caused the ground to open up and swallow Korah and his 250 followers in a pit of fire.

God’s church is a theocracy, government by Almighty God, Himself.

God’s appointed ministers do not preach, teach, administrate or govern to please people – God’s leaders minister in order to please God. • Galatians 1:10 – “…do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

Jesus Christ is the head (chief authority) of the church, the body of Christ

Ephesians 5:23 – “…Christ is the head of the church...” • Colossians 1:18 – “And he (Jesus Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” B. The Church is the body of Christ – each member of the church is an active, vital part of the body of Jesus Christ on earth. • 1 Corinthians 12:27 – “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 

God is good.