THE GLORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

By Gary Ray Branscome

Having been delivered from the power of Satan by the blood of Christ, the words, “We ought to obey God rather than men,” tell us that no one has the authority to stop us from preaching the gospel (Acts 5:29). While the words, “Don’t you realize that the saints will judge the world?” tell us that in the eyes of God those who trust in Christ are masters of all and servants of none (1Corinthians 6:2). The words, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who… being found in human form… humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross,” tell us that we are not to defy earthly authorities, [unless they command us to disobey God] but are to, “Submit… to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake” (Philippians 2:5-8, 1Peter 2:13). In short, for Christ’s sake we are to appear to men as servants of all and masters of none.

The words, “You are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s,” // “You were bought with a price; do not become the servants of men,” tell us that we are not to blindly follow men (1Corinthians 3:23 and 7:23). On the contrary, the words, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves,” // “I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say,” tell us that we are not to blindly accept any teaching that is contrary to the Word of God (Matthew 7:15 and 1Corinthians 10:15). Instead we are to search “the scriptures daily, to see,” if what we are being taught agrees with what the Bible explicitly says” (Acts 17:11).

The words, “You are not to be called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and you are all brethren. And do not call anyone on earth father: for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called masters: for you have one Master, even Christ,” tell us that all believers are equal before God (Matthew 23:8-10). That means that no religious leader can command us to accept his authority over the word of God. And, the words, “The son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called God,” tell us that anyone who does exalt his word over the Word of God should be regarded as an antichrist (2Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Because the Bible tells us that Christ’s “gift made some… pastors and teachers,” we know that Christ does provide those who trust in Him with godly pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). And, the words, “If any man speaks, let him speak according to God’s Word; if any man serves, let him do it with the ability that God gives,” tell us that those teachers that God provides will not use their position to exalt themselves, or teach contrary to Scripture, but will “speak according to God’s Word,” letting God’s Word be the authority (1Peter 4:11).

However, the words, “Do not listen to what the prophets who prophesy to you say: they give you empty hopes: they tell you about visions from their own imagination, and not from the mouth of the LORD,” warn us against assuming that every pastor or teacher is of God (Jeremiah 23:16). And, the words, “If anyone teaches otherwise, and will not agree with sound teaching, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine that is in accord with godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing,” tell us that we are not to listen to anyone who contradicts what the Bible plainly says (1Timothy 6:3-4). In short, we are not to listen to pastors or teachers because they are called and ordained, but because they speak the Word of God. In fact, the words “He who listens to you [the Apostles] listens to me; and he who rejects you rejects me; and he who rejects me rejects Him who sent me,” tell us that those who reject the word of the Apostles reject God (Luke 10:16).

Furthermore, the fact that those who trust in Christ are to judge what is being taught tells us that pastors are not mediators between God and His people, but servants of the flock. As it is written, “Feed the flock of God that is under your care… Not as lords over those in your care, but as examples to the flock” (1Peter 5:2-3). And, the words, “I tell you truly, Whatever you [the congregation] bind on earth will be bound in heaven: and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven,” remind us that the power of the keys rests with the congregation (Matthew 18:18). God’s people have a responsibility to see that the gospel is faithfully taught, and that the Word of God is not corrupted.