Lesson 16: Non-Biblical Authority

Hierarchical Authority

In lesson 2, we studied the change from autonomous, independent churches to a large international organization that is the Roman Catholic Church. Many religious groups are organized along similar hierarchical structures in which the control of an entire religious body is in the hands of a few people or, in most cases, one person. Often the ruling group and the head of the religious body claim a special relationship with God (Vicar, apostle, etc.) not enjoyed by the members of the church. Some even claim special power to intercede on behalf of the people before God. Many claim to communicate directly with God, receiving revelations from Him to manage the church. Since so many people claim to speak with and for God, yet teach different things, we should evaluate their claims from the Scriptures. In Ephesians 4:11-16, Paul lists the roles that God gave some men in the church to strengthen it. Jesus appointed His apostles to be witnesses to carry the gospel message into the world. However, no one can qualify as an apostle today (Acts 1:21-22; 2 Corinthians 12:12). We have no need for modern apostles for the work of the apostles continues through God’s word. Of course, unscrupulous men will usurp this office (2 Cor. 11:12-15). Going back to Ephesians 4, Paul said that the church is like a body but there is only one head who directs and rules the body, Christ (Ephesians 4:15; 5:23). The Bible has given no man the position of “Christ on Earth” (Vicar). Jesus rules His kingdom from His heavenly throne (Acts 2:36). If God intended a governing body to rule over the whole church, where are the offices (and their qualifications) and the governmental structure in the Bible ? T he Bible lists the qualifications for the leaders of the local churches, the elders, in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. It also describes their work and the local limit of their authority in Titus 1:9-10, 1 Timothy 5:17, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. God gave no broader hierarchical structure for the church though many existed within the Jewish and Roman governments at the time of Christ. There is no Bible authority for earthly rulers in the church higher than the local eldership.

Creeds

Many religious bodies codified their beliefs into creed books. Some are in que s tion and ans we r format (catechism) whereas others are formal declarations of belief (confession of faith). The churches of a particular denomination are administered by the creed. The religious leaders— sometimes members as well—must often affirm allegiance to the creed. A primary problem with creeds is their human origin and divisive nature. Since different religious

Non–Biblical Authority

groups have different creeds, a prerequisite to unity is to remove the creeds. The early church did not have a creed book; they only followed God’s word. Benjamin Franklin, the restoration preacher, had this to say about creeds:

“If a creed contains more than the Bible, it contains too much, and whatever it contains more than the Bible is objectionable, and it is rejected because it contains too much. If a creed contains less than the Bible it contains too little, and wherein it contains less than the Bible, it is wrong, and the creed is rejected because it contains too little. If a creed differs from the Bible, it is wrong where it differs from the Bible, and is to be rejected because it differs from the Bible. If a creed is like the Bible, it is useless, for, in that case, the Bible will certainly do as well as a creed like the Bible. There is no other ground a man can take… ‘What, then, is to be done with all the creeds?’ says a man. Do with the whole of them as some of the preachers have done with the Bible—pronounce them ‘a dead letter,’ There can be no general union [of Christians] till they are abolished…As long as a single one of them is in force anywhere, schism will exist.” (The

Gospel Preacher

Light Publishing. 319-320.)

Traditions

Jesus rebuked the Jews for raising their traditions to the level of Law and even supplanting the Law with their traditions, Matthew 15:1-9. In that instance, it was not wrong to wash hands before eating, but the Jewish leaders made it an ordinance; part of the law. These traditions, as requirements of obedience, constituted vain worship, Matthew 15:19. The apostles encouraged the believers to follow the traditions they delivered, 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3: 6. The apostles had the authority to do this (Matthew 18:18) and their traditions, which had the force of law, were preserved in their writings. It is wrong, however, to require obedience to the traditions of uninspired men. Sometimes, matters of convenience can become traditions. When one attempts to change “the way we have always done it,” we must make sure that the objections are scriptural. One church used to cover the Lord’s Supper plates with a sheet before service to keep flies off the emblems. When the church moved into a new building, the fly problem was gone so they did not need the sheet. However, some objected to removing it, feeling that the Lord’s Supper should be covered and the cover removed in their ceremonious tradition. They were inadvertently adding another emblem to the Lord’s Supper by requiring the cover. We must make sure that our expediencies do not become law for us. When someone suggests a change, we must first ask if it is a change in God’s order or man’s tradition. Never change the first; do not fear changing the latter.

Questions for Discussion & Study

1. Besides scriptural reasons, what dangers exist when churches unite under a central authority?

2. What member of the church has a special relationship to God that the other members do not have?

3. Are deacons in a leadership role over the congregation? Explain.

4. Why are creed books divisive?

5. What are some traditions that we might incorrectly treat as law?

6. If we can change a man-made tradition, are there any practical we should not change it? (example: time of service, order of worship)