SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................................... 2 The Authority of Adam................................................................................................... 2 Natural Authority........................................................................................................... 3 Spiritual Authority.......................................................................................................... 5 The Source of Spiritual Authority.................................................................................. 6 Authority Over What?..................................................................................................... Application of Spiritual Authority................................................................................. !

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SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
Intro"#ction
Authority i" one of tho"e thin#" that everyone "eem" to $ant%&oth in the natural and in the "piritual. 'o$ever( our under"tandin# of "piritual authority i" &a"ed on the World)" concept and application of authority rather than *od)". It i" not an accident that the "cripture" tell u" that $e "hould have the mind of +hri"t and that our mind" need to &e rene$ed. Thi" i" &ecau"e "piritual thin#" cannot &e under"tood $ith the natural mind.
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. (1 Corinthians 2:1 !"SB#

,ecau"e of thi" $e have not under"tood "piritual authority &ut in"tead have applied natural thin-in# and natural authority to our under"tandin# and application of "piritual authority. Thi" ha" created ma.or pro&lem" in the +hurch.

The A#thorit$ of A"am

When *od made Adam( 'e had a purpo"e in mind for him that included a co/ operative endeavor for fulfillment.
God blessed them; and God said to them, $Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule o%er the fish of the sea and o%er the birds of the s&y and o%er e%ery li%ing thing that mo%es on the earth.$ (Genesis 1:2' !"SB#

*od told Adam that they $ere to do t$o thin#"0 12 &e fruitful( multiply and fill the earth3 and 22 "u&due the earth and rule over the livin# thin#". *od &uilt into Adam the de"ire and a&ility to rule. 'o$ever( 'e didn)t intend for Adam to rule $ithout 'im &ut $ould rule a" 'i" dele#ate in the earth. Adam)" rule over the livin# thin#" on the earth $ould flo$ from hi" fello$"hip $ith *od and under"tandin# of 'i" purpo"e". When Adam fell( the desire to rule $a" "till inherent in him( ho$ever( he lo"t the ability to rule in a #odly manner. Thi" i" $hat he pa""ed to the #eneration" that follo$ed. There $a" al"o another a"pect of Adam)" ruler"hip. ,ecau"e he ruled &efore the fall a" a dele#ate of *od( there i" al"o inherent in Adam)" de"cendant" the need to &e ruled a" *od ruled Adam.

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Nat#ral A#thorit$
4rom Adam $e receive natural authority( $hich i" the authority #iven to Adam that i" no$ $ithout *od. One could even "ay that thi" i" positional authority "ince man $a" #iven the po"ition of ruler"hip &y *od. *od allo$" u" to e5erci"e natural authority "o "ome "em&lance of orderly "ociety can &e maintained.
(%ery person is to be in sub)ection to the go%erning authorities. *or there is no authority e+cept from God, and those ,hich e+ist are established by God. (-omans 1.:1 !"SB# /herefore ,hoe%er resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they ,ho ha%e opposed ,ill recei%e condemnation upon themsel%es. (-omans 1.:2 !"SB# *or rulers are not a cause of fear for good beha%ior, but for e%il. 0o you ,ant to ha%e no fear of authority1 0o ,hat is good and you ,ill ha%e praise from the same; (-omans 1.:. !"SB# for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do ,hat is e%il, be afraid; for it does not bear the s,ord for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an a%enger ,ho brings ,rath on the one ,ho practices e%il. (-omans 1.: !"SB#

Natural authority i" u"ed &y *od to #overn the people of the earth. *od u"e" the ruler" of the earth for a mea"ure of &le""in# and for .ud#ment a#ain"t evil. ,ecau"e of the fall of Adam( natural authority i" taken rather than given. ,ecau"e it i" e5erci"ed $ithout the fello$"hip of *od it i" of the "ame nature a" the authority e5erci"ed &y Satan. ,efore he &ecame Satan( 6ucifer( at "ome point( decided that he $ould take authority over all( even *od.
$2o, you ha%e fallen from hea%en, 3 star of the morning, son of the da,n4 5ou ha%e been cut do,n to the earth, 5ou ,ho ha%e ,ea&ened the nations4 (6saiah 1 :12 !"SB# $But you said in your heart, 76 ,ill ascend to hea%en; 6 ,ill raise my throne abo%e the stars of God, "nd 6 ,ill sit on the mount of assembly 6n the recesses of the north. (6saiah 1 :1. !"SB# 76 ,ill ascend abo%e the heights of the clouds; 6 ,ill ma&e myself li&e the 8ost 2igh.7 (6saiah 1 :1 !"SB#

The ta-in# of authority i" a principle of Satan and i" directly oppo"ed to the principle of authority e5emplified &y the 6ord 7e"u". It i" po""i&le in our $or- to "tand $ith +hri"t in term" of doctrine and( yet( "tand $ith Satan in term" of authority. 8ride cau"ed 6ucifer to de"ire to u"urp *od)" authority//to a"cend to 'i" Throne. The re"ult $a" that 6ucifer &ecame Satan and no$ de"ire" to overthro$ all "u&mi""ion to *od)" authority. Thi" i" Satan)" 8rimary 8rinciple//"tand a#ain"t *od)" authority 9re"i"t2.
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It i" pride $ithin u" that cau"e" u" to har&or $ithin our heart" thi" "ame principle of Satan. :et( the "cripture" "ay that ;*od re"i"t" the proud &ut #ive" #race to the hum≤ 91 8eter 5052. :ou "ee( if $e ;"tand a#ain"t *od)" authority;( *od ;"tand" a#ain"t u";. 'o$ever( 7e"u" "ho$ed u" ho$ to ;"tand under *od)" authority; 9"u&mit2. It ha" al$ay" &een *od)" intention to #overn 'i" people throu#h "piritual authority and not natural authority. Our e5ample i" the children of I"rael. *od #overned throu#h the prie"t" and the prophet" &ut the people $eren)t "ati"fied $ith the arran#ement. It didn)t #ive the "ame appearance a" the *entile nation" $ho $ere #overned &y -in#". So( they told the prophet( Samuel( that they $anted a -in# li-e all the nation" around them.
/hen all the elders of 6srael gathered together and came to Samuel at -amah; (1 Samuel ': !"SB# and they said to him, $Behold, you ha%e gro,n old, and your sons do not ,al& in your ,ays. !o, appoint a &ing for us to )udge us li&e all the nations.$ (1 Samuel ':9 !"SB#

When Samuel prayed to the 6ord a&out thi"( the 6ord made it clear that( &y thi" re<ue"t( the people $ere re.ectin# 'im a" their =in#.
/he :3-0 said to Samuel, $:isten to the %oice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they ha%e not re)ected you, but they ha%e re)ected 8e from being &ing o%er them. (1 Samuel ':; !"SB#

Then( the 6ord told Samuel to $arn the people a&out the con"e<uence" of havin# a natural -in#.
$!o, then, listen to their %oice; ho,e%er, you shall solemnly ,arn them and tell them of the procedure of the &ing ,ho ,ill reign o%er them.$ (1 Samuel ':< !"SB#

When $e choo"e natural authority over "piritual authority $e need to pay clo"e attention to the con"e<uence". The nature of the natural i" different from the nature of the "piritual.
2e said, $/his ,ill be the procedure of the &ing ,ho ,ill reign o%er you: he ,ill ta&e your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen and they ,ill run before his chariots. (1 Samuel ':11 !"SB# $2e ,ill appoint for himself commanders of thousands and of fifties, and some to do his plo,ing and to reap his har%est and to ma&e his ,eapons of ,ar and e=uipment for his chariots. (1 Samuel ':12 !"SB# $2e ,ill also ta&e your daughters for perfumers and coo&s and ba&ers. (1 Samuel ':1. !"SB# $2e ,ill ta&e the best of your fields and your %ineyards and your oli%e gro%es and gi%e them to his ser%ants. (1 Samuel ':1 !"SB# $2e ,ill ta&e a tenth of your seed and of your %ineyards and gi%e to his officers and to his ser%ants. (1 Samuel ':19 !"SB# $2e ,ill also ta&e your male ser%ants and your female ser%ants and your best young
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men and your don&eys and use them for his ,or&. (1 Samuel ':1> !"SB# $2e ,ill ta&e a tenth of your floc&s, and you yoursel%es ,ill become his ser%ants. (1 Samuel ':1; !"SB#

The nature of natural authority i" that the one $ho e5erci"e" it >$ill ta-e?. A" in the a&ove "cripture" the -in# $ill ta-e of the people" provi"ion"( finance"( heir"( and inheritance. 'e $ill ta-e until you &ecome a "lave to the one $ho rule" over you.
!e%ertheless, the people refused to listen to the %oice of Samuel, and they said, $!o, but there shall be a &ing o%er us, (1 Samuel ':1< !"SB# that ,e also may be li&e all the nations, that our &ing may )udge us and go out before us and fight our battles.$ (1 Samuel ':2? !"SB#

They $anted a -in# &ecau"e they $ere tired of their o$n re"pon"i&ilitie". They $anted the -in# to fi#ht the &attle". They $anted the -in# to &e di"played to the $orld full of pomp and circum"tance. They $anted to &e li-e all of the other nation". Thi" i" the nature of natural( $orldly authority0 it i" full of po$er( pre"ti#e( .ud#ment( and fi#htin#.

S&irit#al A#thorit$
All "piritual authority ha" it" &a"i" in *od and i" received from *od. It cannot &e ta-en &ut only received a" *od #ive" it to u". 7e"u" did not ta-e authority &ut received it from the 4ather.
"nd @esus came up and spo&e to them, saying, $"ll authority has been gi%en to 8e in hea%en and on earth. (8atthe, 2':1' !"SB#

When the 4ather made 7e"u" &oth 6ord and =in#( 'e &ecame the ruler of the =in#dom of *od and it i" from 'i" po"ition a" =in# that 'e e5erci"e" authority.
then comes the end, ,hen 2e hands o%er the &ingdom to the God and *ather, ,hen 2e has abolished all rule and all authority and po,er. (1 Corinthians 19:2 !"SB#

Since 7e"u" ha" all authority( $hat authority i" 'e a&oli"hin# in 'i" =in#dom? 'e i" a&oli"hin# all natural( po"itional( "ecular authority that ha" &een ta-en under the principle of Satan $ithout re#ard to *od. 7e"u" clearly $arned u" of the difference &et$een the authority of the $orld and 'i" authority.
But @esus called them to 2imself and said, $5ou &no, that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it o%er them, and their great men e+ercise authority o%er them. (8atthe, 2?:29 !"SB# $6t is not this ,ay among you, but ,hoe%er ,ishes to become great among you shall be your ser%ant, (8atthe, 2?:2> !"SB#
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and ,hoe%er ,ishes to be first among you shall be your sla%e; (8atthe, 2?:2; !"SB# )ust as the Son of 8an did not come to be ser%ed, but to ser%e, and to gi%e 2is life a ransom for many.$ (8atthe, 2?:2' !"SB#

7e"u" clearly contra"t" the $ay the $orld handle" authority and the $ay that $e "hould a" 'i" follo$er". Spiritual authority ha" nothin# to do $ith &ein# #reat or e5erci"in# authority over people &ut in"tead i" "ervice to other". Natural or $orldly authority "ee-" to &e "erved and e5erci"e authority over a" many people a" po""i&le( $herea" "piritual authority "ee-" to "erve other" and never "ee-" to e5erci"e authority over people.

The So#rce of S&irit#al A#thorit$

A" $e "a$ in @atthe$ 2 01 ( all authority ha" &een #iven to 7e"u". 'e reco#niAe" no other authority than that $hich i" in 'im"elf. The authority re"ide" in $ho 'e i" not from the 'i" #overnment. 'e i" the only "ource of authority. What a&out the +hurch? Boe" the +hurch have any authority? :e" and no. There i" no inherent authority in the +hurch. There i" only authority dele#ated &y 7e"u". A" 7e"u" rule" 'i" =in#dom there i" authority $ithin the =in#dom to #overn accordin# to the plan" and purpo"e" of the =in#. 'i" authority i" only loaned to u" a" $e $al- under 'i" #overnment &ecau"e only then i" it reco#niAed in the "piritual realm. In @atthe$ $e have the "tory of the Coman +enturion that came to 7e"u" for healin# for hi" "ervant. When 7e"u" "aid that 'e $ould come( the +enturion "aid that it $a"n)t nece""ary for 7e"u" to come in per"on &ut 'e could "pea- the $ord and hi" "ervant $ould &e healed. 7e"u" "aid thi" $a" #reater faith than anyone in I"rael e5erci"ed. Why? ,ecau"e the +enturion under"tood governmental authority.
"nd ,hen @esus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to 2im, imploring 2im, (8atthe, ':9 !"SB# and saying, $:ord, my ser%ant is lying paralyAed at home, fearfully tormented.$ (8atthe, ':> !"SB# @esus Bsaid to him, $6 ,ill come and heal him.$ (8atthe, ':; !"SB# But the centurion said, $:ord, 6 am not ,orthy for 5ou to come under my roof, but )ust say the ,ord, and my ser%ant ,ill be healed. (8atthe, ':' !"SB# $*or 6 also am a man under authority, ,ith soldiers under me; and 6 say to this one, 7Go47 and he goes, and to another, 7Come47 and he comes, and to my sla%e, 70o this47 and he does it.$ (8atthe, ':< !"SB# !o, ,hen @esus heard this, 2e mar%eled and said to those ,ho ,ere follo,ing, $/ruly 6 say to you, 6 ha%e not found such great faith ,ith anyone in 6srael. (8atthe, ':1? !"SB#

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The +enturion reco#niAed that 7e"u" $al-ed in "piritual authority. That $a" $hy 7e"u" had only to "pea- the $ord and 'e $ould &e o&eyed. The +enturion under"tood thi" &ecau"e( he too( $al-ed in #overnmental authority and could( &y a $ord( direct tho"e for $hom he $a" re"pon"i&le. I have "een the"e "cripture" t$i"ted and u"ed to .u"tify a $orldly authority of >lordin# it over? 9$hich 7e"u" condemned2. The >"hepherdin# movement? u"ed the"e ver"e" to empha"iAe that the +enturion $a" >a man under authority? and u"ed thi" to "ay that $e all mu"t &e under authority to a >"hepherd? and #ive o&edience to him even if he $a" $ron# 9.u"t a" Sarah o&eyed A&raham $hen he "aid "he $a" hi" "i"ter $hen they $ent to D#ypt2 tru"tin# *od to protect u" from the "hepherd)" mi"ta-e". They "aid that to >have authority? one mu"t &e >under authority?( $hich( in the &roade"t "en"e i" true3 ho$ever( their application meant that one had to &e >under? another per"on)" 9"hepherd)"2 authority. When the +enturion "aid that he $a" >a man under authority?( he meant that he derived hi" authority from the #overnment that he "erved. 'e didn)t have authority &ecau"e he $a" under an army commander. 'e had authority &ecau"e he $a" part of the #overnment)" army. 'ad he left the army( none of tho"e of $hom he "po-e $ould o&ey him anymore &ecau"e he no lon#er had any #overnmental authority. It i" the "ame in the =in#dom of *od. We e5erci"e governmental authority( $hich i" loaned to u" a" lon# a" $e live and $or- under 'i" #overnment. To e5erci"e authority one mu"t have the right to do "o. To attempt to e5erci"e authority $ithout havin# the ri#ht to do it ma-e" it illegitimate authority and put" it in the cate#ory of the $orld and the principle of Satan. There are criteria that mu"t &e met in order to $al- under 'i" #overnment. The mo"t &a"ic i" the "ame that i" re<uired to function a" a "on of *od.
*or all ,ho are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (-omans ':1 !"SB#

Dven a "on $ho i" to &e the heir doe" not have carte blanche authority.
!o, 6 say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a sla%e although he is o,ner of e%erything, (Galatians :1 !"SB# but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. (Galatians :2 !"SB#

While I am "ure that there are "ome accommodation" made for the heir( in practice( he doe"n)t e5erci"e authority &ut in"tead i" tau#ht( directed( trained and other$i"e mana#ed until the appropriate time "et &y the the father. Why $ould the father not allo$ the heir 9"on2 to direct the "ervant" until he came of a#e? ,ecau"e he $ould fulfill hi" every "elfi"h de"ire( indul#in# him"elf $ith comfort and laAine""E I" it not the "ame $ith u"?

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A#thorit$ O*er +hat,

In the +hurch today( many "pea- of havin# authority over "ome num&er of people or "ome num&er of churche" or "ome num&er of mini"trie". ,ut( i" thi" $hat 7e"u" had in mind? 7e"u" #ave very "pecific authority to the di"ciple"0
@esus summoned 2is t,el%e disciples and ga%e them authority o%er unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal e%ery &ind of disease and e%ery &ind of sic&ness. (8atthe, 1?:1 !"SB#

Thi" i" clear. The di"ciple" $ere #iven authority over unclean "pirit" and every -ind of di"ea"e and "ic-ne"". When 7e"u" "ent them out in pair"( 'e( a#ain( #ave very "pecific authority to them.
"nd 2e called the t,el%e together, and ga%e them po,er and authority o%er all the demons and to heal diseases. (:u&e <:1 !"SB# "nd 2e sent them out to proclaim the &ingdom of God and to perform healing. (:u&e <:2 !"SB#

A#ain( it i" clear0 authority over all demon" and to heal di"ea"e. And( the purpo"e for $hich the authority $a" #iven i" al"o very clear0 to proclaim the =in#dom of *od and to perform healin#. They $ere #iven authority &y 7e"u" to proclaim and to perform the purpo"e" of the =in#. When 7e"u" "ent out the "eventy( they $ere only directed accordin# to the plan of the 6ord. They $eren)t "ent to .u"t anyplace &ut only to the place" $here 'e $a" comin#.
!o, after this the :ord appointed se%enty others, and sent them in pairs ahead of 2im to e%ery city and place ,here 2e 2imself ,as going to come. (:u&e 1?:1 !"SB#

When they returned and $ere e5cited a&out the fact that the demon" $ere "u&.ect to them( 7e"u" told them $hy0
$Behold, 6 ha%e gi%en you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and o%er all the po,er of the enemy, and nothing ,ill in)ure you. (:u&e 1?:1< !"SB#

Notice that in all of the"e ca"e"( 7e"u" #ave authority over "piritual thin#" "uch a" demon" and "ic-ne""e" &ut never #ave any of them authority over people. 6i-e$i"e( 7e"u" ha" #iven u" authority over all of the po$er of the enemy "o that $e mi#ht overcome &ut the "cripture" "ay "pecifically that $e don)t $re"tle $ith fle"h and &lood( that i"( people. It $ould "eem to me that "o many in the +hurch have it &ac-$ard". They $ant to e5erci"e authority over people &ut have very little authority in "piritual matter". Only One ha" &een #iven authority over people and that One i" 7e"u".
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@esus spo&e these things; and lifting up 2is eyes to hea%en, 2e said, $*ather, the hour has come; glorify 5our Son, that the Son may glorify 5ou, (@ohn 1;:1 !"SB# e%en as 5ou ga%e 2im authority o%er all flesh, that to all ,hom 5ou ha%e gi%en 2im, 2e may gi%e eternal life. (@ohn 1;:2 !"SB#

We function a" the >under #uardian" and mana#er"? of the >heir" of "alvation? until they come of a#e and function a" "on". 8aul "pea-" of thi" $hen he "pea-" of the authority #iven to him.
*or e%en if 6 boast some,hat further about our authority, ,hich the :ord ga%e for building you up and not for destroying you, 6 ,ill not be put to shame, (2 Corinthians 1?:' !"SB# *or this reason 6 am ,riting these things ,hile absent, so that ,hen present 6 need not use se%erity, in accordance ,ith the authority ,hich the :ord ga%e me for building up and not for tearing do,n. (2 Corinthians 1.:1? !"SB#

So( $e "ee that $hen it come" to people( even 8aul)" authority $a" limited to the "pecific purpo"e" of the 6ord for &uildin# up. Thi" had to do $ith the apo"tolic $orof the =in#dom and 8aul)" function a" a >ma"ter &uilder?. We are #iven "piritual authority to fulfill the function of our callin# and to accompli"h the $or- that the 6ord ha" a""i#ned.

A&&lication of S&irit#al A#thorit$

The crucial a"pect of "piritual authority i" ho$ it i" applied to the +hurch. The pro&lem that ha" occurred previou"ly i" that our application of authority ha" &een &a"ed on our under"tandin# of authority a" &ein# over people 9authority applied accordin# to the World)" principle"2. 6et)" loo- at the "cripture" $ith the under"tandin# of authority a" "ervice3 that it relate" to function3 and that leader"hip i" &y e5ample. 7e"u" repeatedly e5pre""ed authority in term" of e5ample(re"pon"i&ility( and function &y u"in# the picture of "hepherd" and "heep. Shepherd" lead "heep &y #oin# in front( never &y drivin# them from &ehind. We thin- of >&ein# in char#e? a" havin# the authority to order people around. Thi" i" not the $ay 7e"u" thou#h of >&ein# in char#e?.
"nd the :ord said, $Cho then is the faithful and sensible ste,ard, ,hom his master ,ill put in charge of his ser%ants, to gi%e them their rations at the proper time1 (:u&e 12: 2 !"SB#

In thi" "cripture &ein# >in char#e? dealt $ith function and the re"pon"i&ility of providin# food( not $ith the authority to order people around. We al"o "ee thi" concept applied &y 8aul.
But ,e re=uest of you, brethren, that you appreciate those ,ho diligently labor among
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you, and ha%e charge o%er you in the :ord and gi%e you instruction, (1 /hessalonians 9:12 !"SB#

In thi" "cripture havin# >char#e over you? relate" to function and their re"pon"i&ility i" to #ive in"truction 9food2. A#ain( thi" ha" nothin# to do $ith orderin# people around. Of cour"e( the "cripture that i" <uoted &y tho"e $ho thin- of authority a" a po"ition $ith the ri#ht to demand o&edience i" I Timothy 501F0
/he elders ,ho rule ,ell are to be considered ,orthy of double honor, especially those ,ho ,or& hard at preaching and teaching. (1 /imothy 9:1; !"SB#

They empha"iAe the $ord >rule? a" in >I)m top do# and it" my $ay or the hi#h$ay?. 'o$ever( the $ord tran"lated a" rule mean" >to #o in front?( >lead? 9"ound" li-e a "hepherd)" .o&( doe"n)t it?2. Thi" $ord i" al"o tran"lated a" >mana#e?. The one $ho #oe" in front i" to &e our e5ample a" $e loo- at their conduct and faith.
-emember those ,ho led you, ,ho spo&e the ,ord of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. (2ebre,s 1.:; !"SB#

Thi" i" $hy $e can offer o&edience and "u&mi""ion. We are &ein# o&edient and "u&mi""ive to the 6ord in them and to the .o& function that the 6ord ha" #iven them. They mu"t #ive an account to the 6ord concernin# their conduct to$ard their .o& re"pon"i&ilitie".
3bey your leaders and submit to them, for they &eep ,atch o%er your souls as those ,ho ,ill gi%e an account. :et them do this ,ith )oy and not ,ith grief, for this ,ould be unprofitable for you. (2ebre,s 1.:1; !"SB#

They -eep $atch over our "oul" .u"t li-e a "hepherd -eep" $atch over the floc- and are re"pon"i&le to *od for thi" function. It i" intere"tin# that the Ne$ American Standard ,i&le tran"late" >rule? a" mana#e $hen "pea-in# of the re<uirement" for Over"eer" and Beacon".
He must be one ,ho manages his o,n household ,ell, &eeping his children under control ,ith all dignity (1 /imothy .: !"SB# (but if a man does not &no, ho, to manage his o,n household, ho, ,ill he ta&e care of the church of God1#, (1 /imothy .:9 !"SB# 0eacons must be husbands of only one ,ife, and good managers of their children and their o,n households. (1 /imothy .:12 !"SB#

The idea of mana#in# i" pro&a&ly clo"er to the intended meanin# of the u"e of the $ord >rule?. We under"tand that $e mana#e that for $hich $e are re"pon"i&le. A department mana#er in a &u"ine"" only ha" authority over the &u"ine"" function" and ho$ people relate to the nece""itie" of operation". The mana#er ha" no authority over the employee" for non/.o& related conduct e5cept a" it affect" .o& performance.

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The Over"eer" or elder" of the +hurch #o &efore the people to lead &y e5ample and conduct in order to provide in"truction and mana#e the floc-. They are held accounta&le &y the 6ord for ho$ they perform the"e function". We are to "u&mit to the 6ord in them and o&ey 'i" in"truction" throu#h them a" they $al- in #overnmental authority. The +hurch( li-e the +hildren of I"rael $hen they told Samuel that they $anted a -in#( ha" re.ected the #overnment of the =in#dom for the #overnment of the World Sy"tem. Worldly authority only ta-e" and -eep" on ta-in# until all are in "ervitude to it3 $herea"( "piritual authority "erve" li-e a father "erve" hi" family( &uildin# them up and de"irin# for them fulfill their purpo"e. There are no >office"? in the +hurch. Only "ervant/leader" called of *od to function accordin# to 'i" plan and purpo"e for the completion of the $or- fore/ordained for them that many "on" mi#ht &e &rou#ht to #lory that *od may &e all in all. The Word tell" u" that $e are not of thi" $orld. Then( let)" act li-e itE

2004 Art Nelson

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