Authority?

There is only one true authority. God Himself. There is only one reality. God Himself. Ultimately, when all is said and done, there is only God. So let's start here with this basic understanding that our transformation process is all about one thing - becoming one with God, allowing His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (in us, as it is elsewhere).

There has been much teaching recently on the subject of authority in ministry. As I listen to television preachers and even some local pastors teach or even just share their points of view on the subject, I find myself in an uncomfortable place.

Let's take the five-fold ministry concept as an example. This is a concept that often associates ministry gifts as "offices" within ministry institutions. Healthy ministries are said to be having all "offices" in operation. [Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers] in this model are offices often viewed as having a linear authority. This belief would place the apostle with authority over everyone else.

Here are some applicable scriptures regarding this teaching.

Eph 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (12) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

1 Cor. 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?

As I prayerfully considered this teaching, I was unsettled by it. I began to see the roles of authority dissolve, and the roles of service solidify. God is the greatest servant of all. His grace is limitless - but yet we usually don't consider Him to be a servant. Jesus was the one who washed the feet of the disciples to prove this point. He was showing us the Father as one who serves.

I also believe that as Jesus is the cornerstone of the church, He is joined with the apostles and prophets in the first foundational layer of church ministry - not the authoritative role, but the supporting role of the bottom foundational layer that serves and carries the weight of the church, as seen here. Eph 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

As stated in Eph 4:11 - The role of the apostle is a supporting role to build up the church by preparing God's people for works of service. I couldn't find any mention stated or implied of any authoritative roles or offices - only ministry gifts equipping to serve.

On the other hand I can't agree with Robert Bowman's statement either - "To claim that the church today needs visions and revelations through modern apostles and prophets of Christ is to deny the sufficiency of the Bible". Robert Bowman, president of The Center for Biblical Apologetics, also wrote that apostles and prophets role in the early foundational period of the church has been fulfilled, and when the apostles died - they were never replaced. Hmmm...

I tend to see spiritual things more fluid than solid, more lateral than linear. Some see authority, but I see teamwork and I see apostles as yielded people who can handle change. I see movement in roles, gifts, and purpose. I don't see offices, and I don't know anyone that has arrived to the highest level of spiritual achievement, other than Jesus. Even Jesus in His final hour of freedom, asked to have his cup removed before yielding to God's will - nevertheless let your will not mine be done, He said.

These are tough roles. They take all of us working together in unity and love. Who should we look up to? When we look up, we should see Jesus - He is not a respecter of persons, as we are all sons (male and female alike) and heirs according to the throne. No gender, no race, no human condition, that places authority of heaven in the hands of man.

I am reminded of the disciples passing by a stranger casting out demons in the name of Jesus. “Should we rebuke him? He's not one of us!”, they said. Jesus answered “if he's not against you, he is for you”.

In this circumstance, He would not allow his own disciples to take an authoritative role – because the love and ministry of the servant trumped all. Let us all see the authority of one another in unity of service as pictured here by Jesus. “If he's not against you, he's for you”, is a great building block for love, unity and authority in the body of Christ. Let us allow God to be God of all, and respect the authority of love in all who serve others. “The greatest commandment", according to Jesus, (regarding our behavior) "is this, that you love one another as God has loved you”

God's greatest blessings to you,
David R. Thayer
Net2Church Global Ministries