because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do
this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be
of no benefit to you" (Hebrews 13:17). Yes, the Bible clearly states
that God gives some individuals spiritual authority over others. There
are various levels of authority in any person's life, and each of
these levels may involve different people in different positions of
authority. Of course, we must begin with the highest authority, which
is God. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heaven
and the earth." Everything that exists was created by God, and by that
fact, God has ultimate authority, or sovereignty, over all things.
When Moses delivered the law to the Israelites, God's sovereign
authority was the basis on which they were to submit to it
(Deuteronomy 4:39–40).
When Job was wrestling with the problem of pain and suffering in his
life, he acknowledged that God made all things, and no one is able to
challenge His authority (Job 9:1–12). In the Old Testament, one of the
titles reflecting this authority is "the most high God" (Genesis
14:22), and in the New Testament, He is called "Lord of heaven and
earth" (Acts 17:24). Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh, holds all
authority (Matthew 28:18) and has distributed some of that authority
to various people on earth. Because of our sinful nature, and because
of the abuses or failures of authority that we have experienced, most
people struggle on occasion with submitting to authorities.
One level of authority that God has granted to men is civil or
governmental. Romans 13:1–6 states that "the powers that be are
ordained of God." Whether rulers are believers or not, and whether
they recognize it or not, their civil authority is actually a type of
spiritual authority, for "they are God's ministers," exercising power
on God's behalf. When we resist their authority, we are actually
resisting God. The Bible reminds us in Colossians 3:22–24 that our
submission and service to human authorities should be done "heartily,
as to the Lord, and not unto men."
Another level of authority established by God is within the home.
Ephesians 5:22–24 commands wives to submit to their husbands as they
would submit to God, because the husband is the head of the wife, just
as Christ is the Head of the church. This ladder of authority is
stated again in 1 Corinthians 11:3, showing the woman submitting to
the man, who submits to Christ, who submits to the Father. Children
are commanded to submit to their parents in Ephesians 6:1, and
Colossians 3:20 adds that this is well pleasing to God.
Just as God established authority within civil government and the
home, so He established specific authority within the church. As
Christians, we are all joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) and have
full access to God by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). Though God is
no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11), He has chosen to place some in
positions of authority for the sake of order and growth (Ephesians
4:11–13). The early church recognized the authority of the apostles
and submitted to their teaching and direction (Acts 6:2; 15:2). Next
to the apostles in authority were the elders, or pastors, of the
churches. As Paul and Barnabas established churches in their
missionary journeys (Acts 14:23), they ordained elders in every
church. These elders (presbyters) were responsible for teaching
(pastoring), supervising (being a bishop), and being examples to the
church (1 Peter 5:1–3). As spiritual leaders, these elders have a
greater responsibility to God (James 3:1) and must meet the
qualifications God has established (Titus 1:5–9; 1 Timothy 3:1–7).
Believers are told to acknowledge and respect those who are over them
in spiritual matters (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13) and even to support
them financially (1 Timothy 5:17–18).
In matters of authority, the underlying guiding principle is
submission. First Peter 5:5–6 says, "Young men, in the same way be
submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with
humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives
grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty
hand, that he may lift you up in due time." In God's matchless wisdom,
He has chosen some to hold authority and others to be under that
authority. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that He has also
taught that one of the highest qualifications for those in positions
of authority is humility. "If any man desire to be first, the same
shall be last of all, and servant of all" (Mark 9:35). This is the
example that Jesus, the highest spiritual authority, gave when He
became the humblest of all and submitted to die in our place
(Philippians 2:7–11).
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