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1. ~~. TO BE IN SUBJECTION
; TO AUTHORITY
By: Elder Don FJ/iB

2. It is our aim in this article to teach God's children the right of
being in subjection to authority, who has this authority and who
does not have this authority.
In these modem times, we hear so much of people who are
demanding their rights and refusing to obey those over them. Men
in authority have to beg, compromise, bribe, and ask only in a nice
way to get people under them to do their will. School authorities
and teachers have lost control of the pupils. Parents have lost
control of their children who claim they have a right to do their
own thing. Our armed forces cannot exercise discipline over the
service men and women. Churches have rules of decorum which
are never exercised over the members for fear of hurting some
ones feelings.
It is the nature of man to be free. It seems to be a crushing burden
to be a slave to someone; people that are under dictators or tyrants
long to be free. This writer can remember when a prisoner of war,
the intense desire to escape and be free from his captors. Yet, in
turn, as we long to be independent and free in our nature, we also,
according to our nature, want to have other people under us in
servitude. We want to be superior to other people and force them
to do our will. We see dictatorship overcome only to have another
set up that is even worse or more severe.
So it remains in our lives, there must be some in subjection and
some in authority and the Holy Bible has to be the true guide.
There can be no other true guide but the inspired word of God. We
have Satan as an adversary that is continually upsetting the rule of
God or at least confusing our minds as to who is in authority and
who is in subjection. To be in subjection to the proper authority
brings happiness providing both the subjection and the authority is
according to the word of God. If we are in subjection but only in a
resentful, rebellious way, then our burden of bondage will be a
great trial and unhappiness. When one is placed in authority and
they exercise it according to the word of God, then the subjects, if
they submit, will be happy and content. They will even love and
revere the one in authority.
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3. Let us examine the word authority:
Matthew 7:29, "For he taught them as one having authority, and
not as the scribes." This word for authority in the Greek is
EXOUSIA, which means to have the ability, to be potent, having
the mastery. Our God is qualified to rule and if we subject
ourselves to Him, it will be of great benefit to us.
Hebrew 12:9 reads, "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh
which corrected us and we gave them reverence; shall we not
much rather be in subjection unto the Father of Spirits and live?"
God in his wisdom and authority over His subjects has also
designated authority to others under Him. The Greek word
EPITAGE means to have an authority by decree, placed or
designated authority. Titus 2:15 reads, "These things speak and
exhort and rebuke with all authority, let no man despise thy
youth."
God, having all qualified authority over His subjects (children)
also has the authority to designate authority and we as His subjects
are to willingly submit to them. Paul told Titus to rebuke with all
authority and being a young man, the older brethren would
probably resent him in his rebuking them.
To walk with God and enjoy this fellowship with Him we must be
, subject to them that have the Biblical rule over us. God will never
allow us to by-pass His designated authority and be prosperous in
blessings. Sometimes even God's rulers in this matter are not
qualified to rule, yet we need to be very careful in this matter if we
are to please God. 1st Peter 2: 18 reads, "Servants, be subject to
your master with all fear not only to the good and gentle, but also
to the froward." Froward means to be warped, perverse or
crooked.
A child of God need not feel he is under a crushing bondage
because this designated authority is for his good and for his
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4. edification. We can never live a life close to God without obeying,
and submitting to it.
Parents and Children
Aside from the fact that the children of God are under authority to
God to do His will, the number one authority in our lives is our
parents. In Ephesians 6: 1 Paul says, "Children obey your parents
in the Lord; for this is right."
Parents have been set over us by God for our good and their duty is
to train us to take our rightful place in our society. Ifwe would
submit to God's word, we would understand that there are times
when we have to be spanked, or corrected in a forceful way.
Proverbs 22: 15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child;
but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Our parents
corrected us because they wanted us to grow up and have the
pleasure of being respected citizens. We can only have this if we
have been disciplined to it. My father had to teach me to be honest
and how to make my word good by not lying. We have to learn
that it is wrong to lie.
Parents must learn that teaching has to come from leading a good
example. If a child though, refuses to follow his parent's example,
and the parents are obedient to God, they will whip that child to
bring him into subjection. Parents also know that a child needs an
education, and it is the parent's duty to see to it that the education
is God honoring and administered according to God's rule. This
parent will be interested in who is teaching his child and will co­
operate with them in the child's discipline. If it is necessary to
spank the child or correct him in a severe way, the parent will back
the teacher up. The lack of discipline in our schools will disrupt
our whole society. It will ultimately ruin our whole country. What
a great responsibility has been placed upon us as parents and
children. Ephesians 6:4 reads, "And ye fathers provoke not your
children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord."
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5. Husband and Wife
This relationship perhaps should have been mentioned first.
Without a proper, truth oriented husband and wife relationship, we
could never bring up our children in the way they should go. The
wife must be in subjection to her own husband as unto the Lord.
Paul writes with authority from God, "Wives submit yourselves
unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord" (Colossians 3:18).
In turn, the husband, who is the designated authority, is to qualify
himself to rule. Paul continues in verse 19, "Husbands love your
wives and be not bitter against them." This is to be a loving
benevolent rule. It is God's will that husbands work hard and eat
bread by the sweat of his face.
1st Timothy 5:8 reads, "But if any provide not for his own and
especially for those of his own house he hath denied the faith, and
is worse than an infidel. If a man seeks to escape this
responsibility and does not treat his mate with a true benevolent
rule as unto a weaker vessel, he will fmd that God is his enemy and
his prayers will be hindered.
In the beginning of creation, God saw it was not good for man to
dwell alone, so He created a help-meet, a wife for him. God then
gave this man and woman laws and when in subjection to these
laws, or rules, they would find a measure of happiness in their
fallen state. The husband was to labor to make the living. The
woman was to bear children in pain and sorrow, to love her
husband and guide the house. Paul states that they, the women,
were to be keepers at home. Whenever this law is changed and
broken, this union then ceases to be the grace of life.
Much of the trouble in our society can be directly traced to women
working and leaving the children in the care of others. We have
become so ambitious and our standard of living so high that the
making of money has become the supreme driving force in our
society. We feel we can hold our children in the obligation that we
have given them everything. Fathers feel that they must not only
give their families what they need, but in many instances, whatever
they want. Husbands must work willingly for their families, and
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6. not feel he is being deprived of pleasure in that he can't spend his
money on his own pleasure. His indulgences only rob his family
of their right. In like manner, the wife is to encourage the husband
in his tiring labor and be more content with what he brings in. She
should show him that she is proud of him and thankful for the
living that he provides.
Very few wives today are able to believe or receive the scripture 1st
Peter 3:5-6, "For after this manner in the old time the holy women
also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection
unto their own husband." Let us pause to explain that this
adorning is not the putting on of apparel or dressing up, but the
adorning of a meek and quiet spirit. Verse 6, "Even as Sara
obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord; whose daughters ye are, as
long as you do well and are not afraid with any amazement." Most
wives today are afraid to depend upon their husbands and are
amazed that God expects them to. The cause of so many divorces
and broken homes today is the fact that God's marriage laws are
broken. Husbands do not take their responsibilities seriously and
do not qualify themselves to be the head of a family. Wives do not
submit themselves to the husbands authority set over them. They
each want their own way and the marriage is broken. A bad
example is set for the children who in turn set bad examples, which
brings us to our very serious marital problems today.
Labor and Management
We realize that this insignificant article can't change the labor
unrest in the world, but there are believing children of God who
wonder what is the right way. They are surrounded with labor
resentment and management injustice which causes them to be
confused in how to please God in this part of their life. Today it is
very difficult to be a Christian while working at public work.
Capitalist's exploit the laborers for their own selfish interests and
greed and are not in proper subjection to the will of God. The
worker then, who is not in proper subjection to God, retaliates with
slow downs in production, sabotage, stealing and faulty work.
When these conditions exist around a Christian, he is tempted to
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7. just go along with it. Ifhe is neglectful to know the will of God, it
will become his attitude also and he will sin against God.
The apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:5-8 says, "Servants, be obedient to
them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and
trembling in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with
eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the
will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the
Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any
man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be
bond or free."
This is a very difficult walk, one filled with many tribulations,
when we are surrounded by people who are filled with resentment
toward management. Labor unions are formed to protect the rights
of labor, and they become powerful forces that extort capital and
force them to share the wealth. They go on lengthy strikes to force
their way and in many cases cause employers to close their doors.
This is done for the so-called reason to give the worker his rights.
We hear the slogan; "Indiana coal belongs to the coal union." Is
this a Christian attitude to feel that something they do not own
belongs to them? This is a very serious problem in our churches.
These attitudes are brought right into our churches if it is our
attitude at work.
We notice in the Bible that there are laws that govern both
management and labor. But the majority of the rules are to the
worker. Evidently there will be few in management who are in the
church, because it is so hard for a rich man to enter into the
kingdom of God. He cannot be humble and submissive and be rich
at the same time. There are commandments from God to the
employer that if he will be in subjection to God, he will be blessed.
Paul writes in Ephesians 6:9, "And, ye masters, do the same things
unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also
is in heaven; neither is there respect ofpersons with him."
A Christian is to be submissive to the will of God in this labor
relationship, although it is very difficult. Our good examples will
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8. draw much resentment and persecution, yet God can tum that
which was meant for evil to good. It would be better to leave a
good paying job for lesser paying labor than not be in subjection to
a froward employer. Many of God's children go along with the
union attitudes, lose their humility and love only to have a high
standard of living. What they are doing is trading their fellowship
with God for power and money.
Government and Citizen
Jesus prayed for His people who were not of the world but were in
the world. While in the world, God's people are citizens of many
different types of governments. Some are friendly toward
churches and some are hostile. Some governments believe the
ruler is divine and to be worshipped. Others allow freedom of
worship. In the Bible, this caused confusion among Christians as it
does today. God has set forth rules, to His children that please
Him, regarding this and we should be in subjection to them in the
proper way. The Pharisees tempted Christ with this question, "Is it
lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?" Christ, after he had asked
for a penny and inquired whose image was on the coin, made this
answer, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to
God the things that are God's."
According to the will of God, a Christian should be in subjection to
his government although it may be a government which has
conquered his homeland. If you use the coinage of a nation to buy
your food and raiment, then it is God's will that you be in
subjection to them up to a certain point. Caesar only gets tribute
that belongs to him yet the government is to be obeyed for us to
please God.
Paul writes in Romans 13:1-3, "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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,
resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to
themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works,
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9. 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."
This power under consideration means authority. It is ordained of
God. This would be a government that has laws ofjustice and
equity. It would be one that sets up a way so that we are able to
make a living, one whose money is good enough to buy our food.
We are to be law abiding and honest to this kind of government.
We are to pay oUr taxes in an honest way and to obey traffic laws,
etc. If the laws are not contrary to the laws of God, we are to obey
them. To be under oppression and bondage does not give the
Christian a right to be lawless, as he is under the law of God.
When Israel and Judah were under the Babylonian rule, God
commanded them to be obedient to the king as God himself had set
him up. Nevertheless, when Nebuchadnezzar gave the
commandment that they were to worship his golden image, the
children of Israel were to disobey. This would be to render unto
God the things that belong to God. Daniel and the three that were
cast into the fiery furnace served this king honestly and
respectfully, yet did not give him any service that belonged to God.
The apostle Paul, when a prisoner of the Roman government, was
brought before Felix, Festus and Agrippa, he always spoke
respectfully and in a reasonable way.
The early Christians who were persecuted and slain by the Roman
government were never found guilty of breaking laws, but in
refusing to recognize Caesar as being divine.
Paul exhorts in 1st Timothy 2: 1-3, "I exhort therefore, that, first of
all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be
made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Saviour."
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10. Authority and Subjection in Church
In the church of Christ, which is the body of Christ, there are many
gifts which are given for the purpose of glorifying Christ. These
gifts are the children of God who have come to the precious
experience of believing in Christ and have been brought into the
body of Christ by faith and the work ofthe Holy Spirit. As Paul
says in 1st Corinthians 12: 11-12, "But all these worketh that one
and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the
members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is
Christ." This body is not to be confused with the elect family of
God who was chosen before the foundation of the world; a people
chosen in Christ from every kindred, nation, tongue and people
from every age of time. This people, when born of God's Holy
Spirit, are children of God, fitted for Heaven's immortal glory by
the imputed righteousness of Christ's blood. All these people,
wherever they may reside or whenever they may have lived in
the histoty of the earth. have faith in their Almighty God, and
worship God in some fashion. However. they do not all
worship in truth. for to worship God in Spirit and in truth we
must have the glorious gospel of Christ preached to us. That is
the people to which I refer here.
When the apostle Paul was in Athens, Greece on a journey, he
toured this great city, and viewed the statuary of the Greek
temples. Seeing that the Greek city was given wholly to idolatry,
Paul says in Acts 17:22-23, "Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars'
hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are
too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I
found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you."
This was a devoted, worshipping people, yet in ignorance they
were worshipping a god that that they felt for but knew very little
about. This was a people of God, with faith in God, but having no
knowledge of how or why they should worship Him. So Paul,
through the gospel, declared this unknown God to them. This was
the age (world) that was to come, as Paul again speaks of in
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11. Ephesians 2:6-7, "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to
come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
When this wonderful knowledge of Christ comes, then our faith in
God is increased to also have faith in Christ. This is a gifted
people to be able to show forth the praises of Him who hath called
them out of darkness into His marvelous light. As each one is
gifted by the Holy Ghost, it is for the purpose of glorifying Christ
while we live here on earth, and God has set the members,
everyone of them, in the body as it has pleased Him (1 st
Corinthians 12:18). They are brothers and sisters in Christ, no one
of them more honorable than the other. As we are the recipients of
the grace of God, we can easily see that others are better than self.
Paul, the greatest writer of the New Testament, never lost sight of
the fact that as Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;
Paul felt to be the chief, or greatest of sinners.
Now in this wonderful body, there are many gifts, a diversity of
gifts, which God has placed there and when these gifts function in
their proper place and order, Christ is praised. It is a body of
Christ that acts like Christ. In this body, which has so many gifts,
it seems necessary in God's sight that these gifts be subject, in
some ways, one to another. Some are to be in authority and some
in subjection to this God-designated authority, that there be no
confusion in the function of this body. The command was that all
things were to be done decently and in order.
The apostles seem to be the highest authority of all the gifts given
among men. They had miraculous gifts such as raising the dead,
casting out devils and healing the halt, lame and blind. These gifts
were to prove that the Lord and the Kingdom of Heaven had come
and the law service was to be done away with. Some of the
apostles were to be authority of the highest order as Peter said that
even after his decease we were to have these things always in
remembrance. Luke, who wrote two books of inspired scriptures
said in Luke I: 1-3, "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set
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12. forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely
believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which
from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all
things from the very first..." We are to be in subjection to this
apostolic authority and the power of their being inspired to write
the scriptures. The word of God is to be our infallible guide in the
way of truth. We are not to distort the truth, neither are we to
manufacture truth to fit any of our desires or worldly lusts. It is
honoring to God to subject our lives to the words of the apostles
and writers of truth. Also, we should build on the foundation and
not try to illY foundations.
Today, the apostolic days are over and as Paul said of his
departure, "Now I commend you to God, and the word of His
grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance
among all them which are sanctified."
Paul, in his further address, gave instructions to the Elders ofthe
church in Acts 20:28, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to
all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers..."
The chain of authority is now passed on to the Elders, who are
called Bishops, the meaning of which is overseer. These men
would be the pastor-teacher gifts that are given by Jesus to His
church. These men are designated to this post by the Holy Ghost
and are under His influence and guidance. Paul writes in Hebrews
13:7, "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have
spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering
the end of their conversation." The authority of the apostle is now
given to the pastor-teachers and they are to be followed. The word
"remember" means to exercise or punish your mind in memory.
We are to punish our mind in memory lest we forget the words of
God which they have spoken.
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13. Hebrews 13: 17 reads, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and
submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must
give account... "
These ministers have been put in authority over the church by the
Holy Ghost and they must give an account to God for the spiritual
welfare of His people. God's people should submit themselves to
their words and obey them. As the brethren now all have gifts to
exercise they are to exercise them under the oversight ofthe pastor.
They are to exercise in order and without confusion and they are to
do it under the direction of the pastor. One of the qualifications of
an Elder is that he bring-up his children under subjection, without
riot (unruly); one that ruleth well his own house having his
children in subjection with all gravity.
A healthy Spiritual church will be in subjection to the rule of the
pastors teaching. His attitude toward them will be as a loving,
caring father. This church will praise God and Christ with the
proper exercise ofthe different gifts. As the brethren exercise their
gifts, they are not to usurp authority one over the other except in a
Bible way.
1st Timothy 2: 11-12 reads, "Let the woman learn in silence with all
subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp
authority over the man, but to be in silence." This teaches us that
teaching in the church is to be the duty of men. This is sometimes
understood as meaning that a woman cannot talk or make a noise
in the church house. In our experience, we know a church that had
this rule, yet they had a woman clerk. This isn't teaching silence
in the meeting house, but a silence in the body of Christ; a silence
that is to be entered into when we are baptized into the body of
Christ. This silence means to hold one's peace, or to be a listener
and learner and not a teacher. This word for authority is
"authenteo" in the Greek which means to dominate or to act of
one's own self or to have one's own way.
A woman is to have a meek and quiet spirit, dependant upon her
husband and leave the rule of the church up to the men. Also, they
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14. are not to rule behind the scenes, as Jezebel, who ruled through her
husband. It is not teaching that a woman cannot take part in the
worship of God with her voice. She has the privilege of singing,
telling her friends what great things the Lord has done for her, to
ask forgiveness, and to encourage others. It would be only right in
our feet-washing services for women to openly express their love
for each other. 1st Corinthians 11:5 states, "But every woman that
prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her
head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven." Paul is
teaching that a woman, being in subjection to her husband, ought
to wear a covering veil. This veil was to show publicly that she
was married and in subjection to her husband. Now, the wrong
was not in the praying and prophesying in the meeting, but doing it
while at the same time throwing off the subjection to her husband.
Paul was not on the side of women's liberation from the rule of the
husband, neither is our God, who has the authority to begin with.
The word for prophesy does not mean preaching or teaching. It
means to be an inspired speaker. In the Acts of the Apostles, it is
noted that Phillip, the evangelist had four daughters that did
prophesy (Acts 21 :9).
In the teaching of gifts given to the church is the subject of
prophesy. What is it? What is its place in the church? Again, the
word means inspired speaker. This does not mean a foretelling of
the future, but only speaking according to the will of God. If we
are under the influence of the Spirit of God, many times we will
speak of things to come, but only according as the Bible teaches.
It could even be something that is past in a way of remembrance.
A gift of prophesy could well be a visiting preacher. Although the
pastor has the oversight and responsibility of teaching his flock,
this doesn't take away the right of a visiting minister to preach the
truth as he sees it. Rather, it would be his obligation and duty to
preach as he is led of the Spirit, and in this way, things of error that
may have crept in will be exposed. Also, his words might verify
and ratify that which the pastor has spoken. The brethren would
then be established in the mouth of witnesses. Also, brethren that
refuse to be pastured and taught, who will not obey them that have
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15. the rule over them, are apt to get a prophet sent to them from God.
He will not be a father but a judge. His preaching will be
condemnation and a call for repentance.
Pastor and Deacons
In the early days of the church, the apostles were the only
authority. It seems they became so busy with the affairs of the
church that they were neglecting their prayers and their preaching,
so they called for help. The church selected men, filled with the
Spirit and wisdom, and they were appointed (ordained) deacons,
which in the Greek language means servants. Elders, it is taught,
are servants or slaves of God to the church. Deacons are appointed
as servants in an office. They are not appointed to rule the church
but to do the things that the church wants done under the direction
of the pastor. In the beginning, they were to assist the ministers in
the care of the widows and to administer to each man as they had
need. This teaches that the finances of the church were put into
their hands to distribute to the needs of the brethren. The needs of
the pastor would be included in this. These ordained men are to be
helpful to one another but never to usurp authority over one
another. The pastor is the overseer whom the Holy Ghost has
appointed. As the minister preaches the word of God and the
church obeys the word, they will be generous with the poor,
support the pastor, etc. In this they will direct the deacons in this
work. They must be in the Spirit to have compassion and love for
the people. They must have wisdom to do this work with equity
and justice.
We have the practice in churches today of sending deacons as
ordained authority to form presbyteries to ordain Elders and
deacons. This is a tradition of man that has sprung up yet it is a
direct violation of scripture and is a usurping of authority by the
deacons. Let us take the word "presbytery;" it is found only once
in the Bible. The meaning of this word in English is "Elders." The
Greek word "presbuterion" is the plural for Elder, or an order of
Elders. The Greek word "presbuteros" is the singular meaning of
Elder. In this, the meaning of the word presbytery is a group of
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16. Elders. This word does not mean a group of ordained help or
authority. The authority to ordain deacons and Elders is given to
Elders as is the authority to baptize and conduct communion. This
is a part of their office. The deacons have their office and if they
use it well. they purchase to themselves a good degree and great
boldness in the faith.
Oh that God would open our blind eyes! We, as a people. ignore
the office of the deacon in its proper use which is to care for the
church, the sick and those in need. We do not supply them with
proper funds to carry on this work but we will go contrary to the
scripture by sending them out to ordain. This is not being in
SUbjection to God's designated authority.
The excuse is made that some times deacons are wiser and they
know more about the candidate that is to be ordained, therefore
they are more qualified than Elders. Could not this same excuse be
given when there is someone to be baptized? Would the deacons,
according to the scriptures, be allowed to baptize? Let us, as the
body of Christ, submit ourselves to Christ, who is head of the
church, by submitting ourselves to His designated authority. In the
early church, the murmuring among the brethren was stilled when
deacons were appointed. The ministers returned to their prayers
and the ministry of the word and God blessed His church. Acts 6:7
reads, "'And the word of God increased; and the number of the
disciples mUltiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of
the priests were obedient to the faith."
Preachers in Subjection
In 1st Peter chapter 5, Peter is exhorting the Elders (Presbuterion)
to feed the flock of God which is among them. These Elders are
the ministers of God's church. The word "Elder" is the only legal
title for a preacher found in the Bible. That an Elder is a preacher
is proved by the command to "feed the flock" of God. In Acts
20:28, Paul is speaking to the Elders at Ephesus as overseers to
feed the church of God. They are not ordained "Reverends." They
are not "Bishops" or overseers of each other, except as Pastors of
15

17. churches. Elders, when ordained, are not over each other in
authority except they be pastor of the church where one would
have his membership. These men are undershepherds of the Lord
as He is the chief Shepherd. Peter's exhortation is, "Yea, all of
you be subject one to another, and be clothed with hwnility ... " If
they are truly hwnble before God, they will never be jealous of
each other and will cooperate with each other. They will be able to
enjoy one another's preaching and above all, love each other and
have a great respect for one another's talents.
In 1st Peter 5:5 we have this statement to consider, "Likewise, ye
younger, submit yourselves unto the elder." This word "younger"
in the original Greek means "new" or "fresh". In 1st Timothy; 3 :6,
there is a word "novice" which in the Greek means "new
instructed" or "taught". These words are very close together in
meaning. This is a man that is called of God to preach the Gospel
who is just beginning in the ministry. His growth in the ministry is
to be watched over by the Elders though he may not be a young
man in years. He is only younger, or a new preacher, in spiritual
growth. A man is ordained an Elder when he has matured in both
knowledge and experience. If he is ordained too soon, while still a
novice, Paul says he will be lifted up with pride and fall into the
condemnation of the devil. In that condition, he will have lost his
hwnility and cause a great loss of fellowship among the Elders. A
young preacher should never be ordained an Elder until he has
grown older or matured in knowledge and experience. Sometimes
there seems to be a shortage of local preachers and churches will
ordain men that exercise their gift too quickly because he has
grown to the point that he is able to preach at length. It is the
Elders' responsibility to judge this young minister in his growth
and ordain him at the right time. Paul says in 1st Timothy 5:22,
"Lay hands suddenly on no man ..." A young preacher must
submit to this designated authority.
At an ordination for an Elder, there must be a judgment to
determine if: he is called to preach, he has and is established in
preaching the truth, he is walking in truth and last and perhaps the
most important, he has matured enough. To the young minister we
16

18. write, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of
the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith,
in purity ...give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to
doctrine ...meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them;
that thy profiting may appear to all." "And if a man also strive for
masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully."
In conclusion, let us love one another, not envying one another,
submitting ourselves to one another, and to the will of God. Let us
submit willingly to the designated authority of God, and let those
that have the rule submit themselves to God to be a qualified
authority. This will be an obedient, loving church in the sight of
God, and to the children of God around it.
17

19. TO BE IN SUBJECTION
TO AUTHORITY
By: Elder Don Ellis
..

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