What Does the Bible Say About Authority in the Church?
If you’re wondering what the Bible says about church leadership and authority, read the following passages. St. Paul warns against putting tax collectors and Gentiles in positions of authority. Peter also warns against doing the same. These passages give us a clear idea of who ought to be in authority and who should not.
St. Paul
The apostolic commission of the apostle Paul is a powerful example of the power of apostolic authority in the church. The apostolic commission gave Paul the ability to teach and preach the gospel and it is through this authority that Paul pursued his mission. Although Paul possessed great gifting and calling, he wisely exercised his authority. He knew when to confront his opponents, when to set aside his rights, and when to make appeals. Most importantly, he acted with love in every situation.
The epistles of Paul are a fascinating study in this regard. Not only do they contain the authority of the apostle himself, but they also demonstrate the authority of eyewitness testimony. This evidence, combined with the testimony of the first apostles, supports the claim that Jesus came from God. While Paul’s authority as an apostle was well-established, he also had an encounter with Jesus that redefined his identity. Paul continued to follow the path of Jesus for the rest of his life.
Nevertheless, Paul remained wary of his rivals. He criticized several of his contemporaries as false apostles and ministers of Satan. He also vilified competing preachers in Corinth and Galatia as false apostles and ministers of Satan. His writings also provoked the Jewish authorities against him and influenced the early separation of the Christian church from Judaism.
Paul’s authority in the church was so powerful that he was often called “the Apostle of the Gentiles.” Though Acts does not mention his death, it is believed that he was killed in Rome under Nero around the year 64. The apostles’ day is celebrated on June 29.
Paul had authority in the church, but his authority was disputed by the Corinthians, who thought it was right to despise him. The Corinthians also believed that it was their right to despise the Apostles of the Lord. They had many teachers within their congregation. They were prone to reject the apostles and the gospel.
The letters of Paul represent a significant part of the NT. His letters deal with theological, ethical, and pastoral issues. Most scholars agree that he wrote Romans, Galatians, Philippians, and Ephesians. There are some differences in style, but the epistles are considered to be Paul’s own work.
Pauls authority is based upon his ability to preach the gospel. His mission has been made possible through the ongoing interventions of God. As a result, Paul frequently equates the gospel with manifestations of divine power, but the gospel alone is not sufficient. The gospel must be preached to reach the hearts of the Gentiles. Paul explicitly states this in Romans 10:8, 14 and 15.
Paul’s authority in the church is grounded in his mission to preach the gospel to Gentiles. His grace, in other words, is more than a consecration for priestly service, but is designed to bring Gentile believers to God in sanctification. As such, Paul can boast about his mission as a priest and a minister of Christ to the Gentiles.
Paul established churches in Greece and Asia Minor and wrote public letters to the churches in those regions. He made at least three journeys to preach the gospel, including his first missionary journey to Antioch. During his second journey, Paul and Barnabas separated because Barnabas wanted to take John with him. Paul and his followers continued their mission in Phrygia and Galatia. They then sailed to Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean.
Paul’s authority in the church is well-documented throughout Scripture. His conversion from a Christ-hating persecutor to the leading advocate of the faith is one of the clearest indications of his anointing by Jesus. However, the apostle’s missionary work wasn’t free from challenges.
St. Peter
Peter’s role in the early church is significant. In the gospels, he is mentioned more often than any other apostle. Acts and Matthew both list him first, and Matthew refers to him as “first among the apostles.” Peter is also referred to throughout Paul’s letters. Several biblical accounts place Peter in the center, giving him authority over the church.
Peter emerged as the leader of the early church after the Resurrection of Christ. He ruled the community for about 15 years after Christ’s death. He appointed St. Matthias to the apostleship in place of Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus. He also preached at Pentecost, which marked the beginning of the church’s mission. He also served as the Apostles’ advocate before the Jewish religious court in Jerusalem.
The apostles ascended from their early beginnings as fishermen, but Peter was a bold and gifted leader. In the gospels, he is often depicted as an impetuous leader who always speaks his mind and acts on impulse. His role in the early church is prominent in Acts, which places him at the head of the council. Peter also plays a significant role in the Gospel of Mark, which records Peter’s account of Jesus’ ministry through his companion John Mark.
The Acts of the Apostles provide information about the early church’s activities in Jerusalem, Syria, and Judaea. This is important for understanding how Peter’s role in the early church came about. It also contains information about the Apostles’ succession to the episcopacy.
Peter’s primacy is not “primacy of honor,” but rather a ministerial headship. As a servant of Christ, Peter’s role is to unite believers. His example is a model for all believers. Throughout his life, Peter has been called “the light of the world.”
Even though Peter had authority in the early church, Protestants have argued that this authority cannot be inferred from his precedence. Moreover, the apostles’ essential activity did not cease with their deaths. Therefore, Peter’s Apostolic Primacy must have continued in the proper form.
In the book of Acts, Peter has authority in the church because of his role as the head of the apostolic church. In fact, Peter has the keys to the kingdom of heaven. He is also the holder of the keys to the gates of heaven. His death is considered to be a threat to future popes.
Peter has the highest authority in the church. His influence was undeniable in Jerusalem, where he spoke the decisive word when great divergences occurred. He was the first to announce the Gospels to the heathens (the conversion of Cornelius and his household), and he did not attempt to impose the Jewish yoke on them.
The Roman Catholic Church celebrates five feasts in honor of Peter. One of them is Cathedra Petri, which takes place on February 22. According to the Calendar of Philocalus (an early third-century Christian calendar), this feast day celebrates the Apostle and the authority he held in the Church.
Peter’s missionary journey stretches far beyond the Jerusalem walls. He visited the Samaritans, where he received the Holy Spirit, and healed the paralytic Aeneas and Tabitha in Joppa. He also baptized the first non-Jewish Christians at Caesarea and received Cornelius and his kin into the Church. He had to defend his actions, as he was under strict Jewish law.
The Apostle Peter was called by different names in the Bible. Peter’s original name was Simon, but Jesus referred to him as Cephas in John 1:42. The name Cephas means “Peter” in Aramaic. The Evangelists and the epistles use both names, so Peter is sometimes known by one or the other.