Exploding the Myth of Christ's Delegated Authority

Neil Girrard

Scriptures Referenced in This Article:
          (Follow the Scripture links if you want to study the Scriptures for yourself.)
Mt. 10:1; 2nd π Mt. 10:40; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π Mt. 12:36 π Mt. 18:15-17 π Mt. 18:17 π Mt. 20:25-26; 2nd; 3rd π Mt. 23:8-9 π Mt. 28:18; 2nd π Mt. 28:20; 2nd π Mk. 3:14-15; 2nd π Mk. 6:7; 2nd π Mk. 10:42 π Mk. 10:42-43; 2nd π Lk. 9:1-2; 2nd π Lk. 10:19; 2nd π Lk. 22:25-26; 2nd π Jn. 1:12; 2nd π Jn. 3:5-6 π Jn. 14:23 π Jn. 15:5; 2nd π Jn. 17:2 π Jn. 17:18; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π Jn. 17:20-21 π Jn. 20:21; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π Acts 1:8; 2nd; 3rd; 4th; 5th π Acts 5:4 π Acts 5:27-29 π Acts 6:3; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π Acts 6:6; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π Acts 14:23; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π Rom. 13:1-7 π Rom. 13:3 π Rom. 13:4 π 1 Cor. 1:29; 2nd; 3rd π 1 Cor. 2:9-13; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π 1 Cor. 2:16 π 1 Cor. 5:4; 2nd; 3rd π 1 Cor. 5:4-5; 2nd π 1 Cor. 7:37 π 1 Cor. 9:18; 2nd π 1 Cor. 11:1 π 1 Cor. 14:37; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π 2 Cor. 3:1 π 2 Cor. 4:7 π 2 Cor. 5:12 π 2 Cor. 5:20; 2nd; π 3rd; π 4th; π 5th; π 6th π 2 Cor. 10:8; 2nd; 3rd; 4th; 5th π 2 Cor. 11:1-6 π 2 Cor. 11:16-23 π 2 Cor. 12:1 π 2 Cor. 12:5-6 π 2 Cor. 12:11 π 2 Cor. 13:10; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π Gal. 1:8; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π Gal. 2:7; 2nd π Gal. 2:7-9; 2nd π Gal. 3:3 π Gal. 5:23 π Eph. 6:20 π 1 Ths. 2:13; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π 1 Ths. 5:12 π 2 Ths. 2:15; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π 2 Ths. 3:4; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π 2 Ths. 3:6; 2nd; 3rd; 4th; 5th; 6th; 7th; 8th π 2 Ths. 3:9; 2nd π 2 Ths. 3:14; 2nd; 3rd; 4th π 1 Tim. 3:1-7 π 1 Tim. 5:1 π Tit. 1:6-9 π Heb. 13:17; 2nd; 3rd; 4th; 5th π 1 Pet. 5:1; 2nd π 1 Pet. 5:1-3; 2nd π 1 Jn. 2:27

The Teaching of Delegated Authority

There is a teaching that Christ delegates His authority to various men within His ekklesia, His Body, who are then free to command their brothers - and these brothers are then required to obey these commands as if Christ Himself had given the commands. This teaching is nothing new. It has been the cornerstone and mainstay of every "church" system since the days of the post-apostolic "fathers."

The New Bible Dictionary (Tyndale, 1962), with its succinct yet fairly comprehensive treatment of this teaching, provides us with a good representation of this doctrine. It reads:

Apostolic authority is delegated Messianic authority; for the apostles were Christ's commissioned witnesses, emissaries and representatives (cf. Mt. 10:40 ; Jn. 17:18 ; 20:21 ; Acts 1:8 ; 2 Cor. 5:20 ), given exousia by Him to found, build up and regulate His universal [ekklesia] ( 2 Cor. 10:8 ; 13:10 ; cf. Gal. 2:7; top ff.). Accordingly, we find them giving orders and prescribing discipline in Christ's name. i.e. as His spokesmen and with His authority. ( 1 Cor. 5:4 ; 2 Ths. 3:6 ) They appointed deacons ( Acts 6:3 , 6 ) and presbyters.( Acts 14:23 ) They presented their teaching as Christ's truth, Spirit-given in both content and form of expression ( 1 Cor. 2:9-13 ; cf. 1 Ths. 2:13 ), a norm for faith ( 2 Ths. 2:15 ; cf. Gal. 1:8 ) and behavior. ( 2 Ths. 3:4 , 6 , 14 ) They expected their ad hoc [for a specific purpose] rulings to be received as 'the commandment of the Lord.' ( 1 Cor. 14:37; top ) Because their authority depended on Christ's direct personal commission, they had, properly speaking, no successors; but each generation of Christians must show its continuity with the first generation, and its allegiance to Christ, by subjecting its own faith and life to the norm of teaching which Christ's appointed delegates provided and put on record for all time in the documents of the New Testament. Through the New Testament, apostolic exousia over the [ekklesia] has been made a permanent reality.

...[ekklesia]...'leaders' (presbyters) may claim obedience because they are Christ's servants, tending His flock under His authority. ( Heb. 13:17 ; 1 Pet. 5:1; top f. - The New Bible Dictionary, "Authority," p. 108)

But is this teaching true? Let us take a few moments and examine the statements made in this teaching and compare them with what the Scriptures referenced actually say.

The Scriptures

The New Bible Dictionary (TNBD) says:

Apostolic authority is delegated Messianic authority; for the apostles were Christ's commissioned witnesses, emissaries and representatives (cf. Mt. 10:40 ; Jn. 17:18 ; 20:21 ; Acts 1:8 ; 2 Cor. 5:20 - TNBD, "Authority," p. 108; top)

There is absolutely no question being raised in this study of Christ's authority.

"Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'" ( Mt. 28:18 )

"You [God the Father] have given Him [Christ, the Son] authority over all flesh." ( Jn. 17:2; top )

That Christ has all authority is beyond dispute in the pages of the New Testament.

But let us look carefully at the words TNBD uses to characterize the followers of Christ:

"commissioned witnesses, emissaries and representatives."

In this sense,

Now let us consider the five Scriptures TNBD referenced:

"He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." ( Mt. 10:40 )

"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." ( Jn. 17:18 )

"Then Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.'" ( Jn. 20:21 )

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." ( Acts 1:8 )

"Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." ( 2 Cor. 5:20; top )

These verses indeed speak of the believer being sent into the world to present testimony of Christ just as Christ was sent into the world to present testimony of God and that those who receive those sent are actually receiving Christ in them. But let us notice that none of the words -

are used - and, further, these words have an additional meaning that contradicts the true life in Christ. We will return to this latter statement and explain it in full.

The closest word used in these Scriptures to the above list is the word "ambassador" from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. The word in the Greek is "presbeuo" [4243]. A.T. Robertson, a highly respected Greek scholar, says,

"Old word from presbus, an old man, first to be an old man, then to be an ambassador (here and Eph. 6:20 with en halusei, 'in a chain" added), common in both senses in the Greek. 'The proper term in the Greek East for the Emperor's Legate.' (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 374, in inscriptions and papyri.) So Paul has a natural pride in using this dignified term for himself and all ministers. The ambassador has to be persona grata with both countries (the one that he represents and the one to which he goes). Paul was Christ's Legate to act in His behalf and in His stead... Here God speaks through Christ's Legate." (Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol. IV, p. 233, on 2 Cor. 5:20; top )

An "ambassador" is "an authorized representative or messenger" (Webster's) and a "legate" is a "deputy [or] usually official emissary." (Webster's) Once we see, however, that

1) the Scriptures that are contradicted by using the "full" definition of this word (that is, Paul is using this term only in a specialized, limited understanding of it) and

2) the context where Paul is defending his role in the Corinthians' lives (see 2 Cor. 3:1 ; 5:12 ; 10:8 ; 11:1-6 , 16-23 ; 12:1 , 5-6 , 11 ), we will clearly recognize that this lone usage of "ambassador" is not sufficient to support the teaching that Christ's authority is delegated to men. There is also contained in this passage ( 2 Cor. 5:20; top ) a hint of the true nature of the authority Paul held - but we will return to this idea after we have explored all that the Scriptures really say.

TNBD continues:

The apostles were...given exousia by Him to found, build up and regulate His universal [ekklesia]. ( 2 Cor. 10:8 ; 13:10 ; cf. Gal. 2:7; top ff. - TNBD, "Authority," p. 108)

TNBD gives a good explanation of exousia [1849] when it says:

The New Testament word is exousia, meaning rightful, actual and unimpeded power to act, or to possess, control, use or dispose of, something or somebody. Whereas dynamis means physical power simply, exousia properly signifies power that is in some sense lawful. Exousia may be used with the stress on either the rightfulness of power really held, or the reality of power rightfully possessed. In the latter case, English versions often translate it as 'power.' Exousia sometimes bears a general secular sense (e.g. in 1 Cor. 7:37 , of self-control; Acts 5:4; top , of disposing of one's income), but its significance is more commonly theological. (TNBD, "Authority," p. 108)

But let us look carefully at the Scriptures referenced:

"For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed..." ( 2 Cor. 10:8 )

"Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction." ( 2 Cor. 13:10; top )

In these two verses, Paul indeed tells us that he has authority, but let us notice that he uses neither the word nor the idea of "delegated." Again, we will return to this idea but let us move on to the other Scriptures before we explain.

"But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ( Gal. 2:7-9; top )
Paul, Barnabas, Peter, James and John each had their respective sphere of authority. But let us notice that the idea of "delegated authority" only comes into view if one has the presupposition that Christ has delegated authority to men.

TNBD continues,

"Accordingly..."

Notice this carefully. Because "the apostles were...commissioned witnesses, emissaries and representatives" and "were...given authority (exousia [1849]) by [Christ]"... We have already seen that the apostles were indeed "commissioned witnesses." But we shall see shortly that there is an element of "emissaries and representatives" that is absent and we shall also see that Christ gives His authority to men under some very stringent restrictions that nullify, even destroy, the common notion of "delegated authority." We will come to these things shortly but let us notice carefully that we are beginning with a flawed premise. Beginning with a flawed premise is a sign that the infallible God is not the author of this notion. Also, any logical and rational conclusions drawn from this flawed premise must also be flawed to one degree or another. Let us proceed with caution.

TNBD continues:

Accordingly, we find them giving orders and prescribing discipline in Christ's name. i.e. as His spokesmen and with His authority. ( 1 Cor. 5:4 ; 2 Ths. 3:6 - TNBD, "Authority," p. 108; top)

Let us review these passages:

"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." ( 1 Cor. 5:4-5 )

"But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us." ( 2 Ths. 3:6; top )

Clearly these passages do present us with instances of Paul giving orders and prescribing discipline in Christ's authority. There are hints in each passage, though, that we dare not miss or we will think this is indeed "delegated authority." We shall return to this idea.

TNBD continues:

They appointed deacons ( Acts 6:3 , 6 ) and presbyters. ( Acts 14:23 - TNBD, "Authority," p. 108; top)

Let us review these passages:

"'Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business...' ...whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them." ( Acts 6:3 , 6 )

"So when they had appointed elders in every ekklesia, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed." ( Acts 14:23; top )

Indeed, deacons and elders were appointed by apostles here. But let us notice carefully again that the notion of this appointment being an act of "delegated authority" is present only when presupposed.

TNBD continues:

They presented their teaching as Christ's truth, Spirit-given in both content and form of expression ( 1 Cor. 2:9-13 ; cf. 1 Ths. 2:13 ), a norm for faith ( 2 Ths. 2:15 ; cf. Gal. 1:8 ) and behavior. ( 2 Ths. 3:4 , 6 , 14 ) They expected their ad hoc [for a specific purpose] rulings to be received as 'the commandment of the Lord.' ( 1 Cor. 14:37 - TNBD, "Authority," p. 108; top)

Let us review these passages:

"But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." ( 1 Cor. 2:9-13 )

"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." ( 1 Ths. 2:13 )

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle." ( 2 Ths. 2:15 )

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed." ( Gal. 1:8; top )

"And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you... But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us... And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed." ( 2 Ths. 3:4 , 6 , 14 )

"If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord." ( 1 Cor. 14:37; top )

Again, "delegated authority" is only present when presupposed - and it is here that we find some of the clearest clues as to the real role enacted here. We will discuss these Scriptures again shortly.

TNBD continues:

...[ekklesia]...'leaders' (presbyters) may claim obedience because they are Christ's servants, tending His flock under His authority. ( Heb. 13:17 ; 1 Pet. 5:1 f. - TNBD, "Authority," p. 108)

Let us review these Scriptures:

"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your soul, as those who must give an account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." ( Heb. 13:17 )

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock..." ( 1 Pet. 5:1-3; top )

The English "rule over" here in Heb. 13:17 is a real dis-service to the original meaning. (See 1 Ths. 5:12 in the Greek for a similar mis-rendering and Mk. 10:42; top , especially the wording of the KJV, for Jesus' specific command to not "rule over" anyone.) The original meaning in the Greek is "lead" - the same idea as is brought out by Peter: "lead by example, not coercing by force or by command."

We have now seen all the Scriptures which TNBD referenced and we have seen that none of these Scriptures speak plainly about Christ's "delegated authority," that is, the direct giving of authority to men by Christ. This notion is only present when one previously possesses the paradigm that teaches that Christ's authority is delegated to men - a notion that serves only the interests of the "church" kingdoms of men and the deceitful schemes of the devil.

But there are actually a few other Scriptures which we should take note of, for, on the surface, they would seem to infer "delegated authority" in the realm of the ekklesia.

"Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." ( Lk. 9:1-2 )
"And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease." ( Mt. 10:1 )

"Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons." ( Mk. 3:14-15 )

"And He called the twelve to Him, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits." ( Mk. 6:7 )

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." ( Lk. 10:19 )

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." ( Jn. 1:12; top )

Here we finally see actual instances of Christ overtly giving authority directly to His men - but again, they are not sufficient to uphold the teaching of "delegated authority" in the Body of Christ. We will return to these Scriptures.

"What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel." ( 1 Cor. 9:18 )

"...not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us." ( 2 Ths. 3:9; top )
Again, Paul has authority but the idea of "delegated authority" is a presupposed paradigm that colors our understanding of what these passages are saying.

This is, as far as I know, a comprehensive list of Scriptures which speak of Christ's authority as it has been given to men in His ekklesia, His Body. None of these Scriptures speak in any way of "delegation" though it is obvious that authority is present.

Present vs. Delegated

Let us consider exactly what happens when someone is delegated with authority. In legal terms (and delegation is a legal concept), the one possessing the authority, called the "principal," selects someone, assigns a task and sends him on a mission. Well enough, but while this delegate is performing his assigned task, where is the principal? Wherever he wants to be - but wherever he is, he is not with the delegate. The principal is apart from the delegate. Even if he were standing in the same room for some strange reason (as did Peter the Great of Russia on some of his incognito tours of Europe), the principal and the delegate are separated and the delegate must act alone and in accordance with his previously received instructions.

Right after Jesus told His disciples that He had all authority in heaven and earth, He said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." ( Mt. 28:20 ) He also said, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing." ( Jn. 15:5; top )

It goes even deeper than this. Jesus instructed His followers, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." ( Jn. 14:23 ) Then, in His priestly prayer for all of His followers, He prayed, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." ( Jn. 17:20-21; top ) As one preacher is fond of saying, "What are the chances that this prayer didn't get answered? None!"

There is neither need nor reason for Christ to delegate His authority to anyone. He is here in us - wherever the need for authority or power arises, He is there in the believer. Thus, when we operate out of our oneness with Him, we have authority. When we step away from that oneness, pursuing our own agenda and not His, we have no authority - though we may cling tightly to some position or title!

Proponents of this notion of delegated authority will even say things like, "The first thing you will note is that someone who has all power (referring to Christ's statement in Mt. 28:18; top ) doesn't leave any power for anyone else to have any. So we have none. But does that mean we are powerless? No. He is in us. How? By His Holy Spirit." But then they will go on to say that Christ is in heaven and must delegate His authority to us and that we are then entitled to command our brothers in Christ as best we see fit. One teacher even goes so far as to say, "Whether the one in authority is right or wrong does not concern us... [The Lord] will hold the delegated authority responsible..." (Watchman Nee, Spiritual Authority, p. 71 - though many suspect Witness Lee as the true author of this book)

If this authoritarian rendering were true, then the apostles should have obeyed the Sanhedrin (a legitimate governing authority as defined by Rom. 13:1-7 ) and stopped teaching in the name of Jesus Christ. Instead, the apostles displayed rightful disobedience and boldly proclaimed, "We ought to obey God rather than men." ( Acts 5:27-29 ) It is still true that we must abide in Christ's truth and righteousness, which His Spirit teaches us in our inner man ( 1 Jn. 2:27; top ), even when men claiming authority - even in His ekklesia - command us to do otherwise. God will not overlook our sins if we try to use the excuse, "My pastor told me to do it." To believe that it might be so is absurd.

The Scriptures Reviewed

Let us now return to the Scriptures we have previously examined and see how they actually support the idea that it is Christ Himself, active in the believer, who is the real authority and that it is not the believer acting in delegation as if Christ were absent. We will go in the same order we have already looked at these Scriptures and consider again what the Scriptures really say and show.

"He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." ( Mt. 10:40; top )

The reception of the one sent into the world constitutes a reception of Christ. This is simply another way of speaking of the unity of the believer with Christ, the Father and the Spirit of God. "Delegated authority" is not a requirement to understand this verse and actually suggests the idea of divisions within the Triune God.

"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." ( Jn. 17:18 )

"Then Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.'" ( Jn. 20:21; top )

That Christ sends His followers out of their usual spheres and into the world is not in dispute. But since He is with us always, even to the end of the age ( Mt. 28:20 ) and His authority (and every other aspect of Christ) is always with us, there is no need for Him to delegate any authority or any other aspect of His nature. In fact, to "delegate" His authority would be contradictory to His stated purpose that "no flesh shall glory in His presence." ( 1 Cor. 1:29; top ) If authority were truly delegated - that is, available for the use of men absent from a vital unity with God - then some man might have reason to boast in his "proper commanding" in a given situation.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." ( Acts 1:8; top )

Witnesses do not necessarily require authorization to speak of what they have seen. But, because these were witnesses of the divine, they would require divine power to take their message to the world. Power and authority - and every other aspect of the mind and nature of Christ - would be theirs in the Holy Spirit.

"Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." ( 2 Cor. 5:20; top )

"As though God were pleading through us..." He was - and He still does make His appeal to fallen men through any surrendered vessel. Again, this limited and sole reference to the believer as Christ's "ambassador" is not sufficient for the doctrine of "delegated authority." The mere fact that neither "delegate," "agent," "representative," "substitute," "emissary" or "deputy" is ever used in the New Testament to describe the believer's role in the Christian life should tell us the whole story. Rather, in the New Testament, we are called and commanded to be the body of Christ, the vessel through which Christ is presented - not re-presented - to the world and to our fellow believers. Again, "no flesh shall glory in His presence." ( 1 Cor. 1:29; top ) The man who re-presents Christ - that is, has such a mastery over his own flesh and soul that he can imitate Christ to a passable degree - instead of presenting Christ, is one who might have something of which to boast before God. It won't stand up on judgment day.

"For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed..." ( 2 Cor. 10:8 )

"Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction." ( 2 Cor. 13:10 )

"What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel." ( 1 Cor. 9:18 )

"...not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us." ( 2 Ths. 3:9; top )
Paul has this authority in exactly the same way he has the priceless treasure which is God in his earthen vessel because the power is God's and not his. (see 2 Cor. 4:7; top ) If the power is God's, then why shouldn't the authority also still be His? When we can see the oneness of the believer with Christ, we can easily see that the power and authority are still all His and delegation is an deceptive error designed to separate the believer from the power of Christ.

"But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised." ( Gal. 2:7-9; top )

Again, each of these men had their sphere of activity and authority, but "delegated authority" is not required to understand this verse. Rather it is simply a glimpse into the manifold nature of Christ - it would take all these men and all the unnamed saints as well to present the fullness of the gospel of Christ to the Jew and the Gentile. No one man can demonstrate the fullness of the Body of Christ. This is why any movement that relies on its leaders to accomplish the will and purpose of God is doomed to failure (to one degree or another) from its inception.

"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." ( 1 Cor. 5:4-5; top )

Here we see it rather clearly stated, "when you are together with my spirit and with the power of Christ..." Do you suppose that Christ, the Good Shepherd, would give up one of His lambs to Satan if he or she were innocent and the assembly in question were merely carrying out a personal, fleshly vendetta? No! In the same way, when men with titles or positions proclaim false judgments against a sheep, it really amounts to nothing in regards to that sheep. That sheep is not handed over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh (which leads to the salvation of their spirit.) Why not? Because the men with titles or positions are not together with the power and authority of Christ. They are apart from Him and can do nothing of spiritual value in Christ's kingdom. It should also be noted that it wasn't some group of leaders who had the ability to hand over the sinning brother - it was the whole of the assembly. The whole assembly, not some clergy caste group, is the only entity entitled to practice expulsion against one of the members. But when even the whole assembly is operating apart from Christ, there is no authority of Christ present.

"But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us." ( 2 Ths. 3:6; top )

Commanding what the Lord commands does not, in itself, require delegated authority. If the Holy Spirit - which is the Spirit of Christ which is God (they can do nothing independently or apart from One another) who is resident within the believer - leads that believer to give a command in the name and authority of Christ, that is not delegated authority. That is simply the Lord using that vessel to deliver a command. "Delegated authority" is a logical, rational conclusion to which men have leapt in order to justify their own positions of lordship over their brothers in the ekklesia, the Body - a role strictly forbidden by Christ. ( Mt. 20:25-26 ; Mk. 10:42-43 , Lk. 22:25-26; top )

"'Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business...' ...whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them." ( Acts 6:3 , 6 )

"So when they had appointed elders in every ekklesia, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed." ( Acts 14:23; top )

If the Spirit of Christ led the apostles to appoint these men, then who is really doing the appointing? Christ. "Delegated authority" is only a flawed human explanation of this spiritual transaction. It is when men, apart from the Spirit, have appointed other men into various positions and titles - or when men with titles and positions have failed to remain in their oneness with Christ - that "abuse" of authority has occurred. Abuse of authority, in this case, simply means someone pursuing their own agenda and failing to discern Christ's agenda, all at the expense of those being lorded over. In the end, this arrogant one will be judged and held accountable.

"But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." ( 1 Cor. 2:9-13; top )

We have received the Spirit - not independent authority - that we might know the things of God and speak in words taught by the Spirit. If the speaker is speaking from the Spirit of God, then their message is from God and the authority of it still rests in God's hands, not theirs. "Delegated authority" is only seen here when mistakenly presupposed.

It should also be noticed that only a few verses before this passage Paul says that God has purposed "that no flesh should glory in His presence." ( 1 Cor. 1:29; top ) If Christ's authority were delegated to men and free for men's independent use, then men would have room to boast in themselves whenever they gave good commands. No, Christ is our power and our authority for godly living.

"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." ( 1 Ths. 2:13; top )
Here Paul plainly says that their words were really God's words - and the changes worked in the Thessalonians confirms that it was God's power. "Delegated authority" is not only absent here, it is refuted if we would just accept what the text says. Miracle of all miracles, when we speak from the oneness of our unity with Christ, it is, in truth, the word of God.

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle." ( 2 Ths. 2:15; top )

If Christ led Paul to speak and write, then whose traditions were preserved? Christ's. The oneness of the believer with Christ makes delegation of authority an absurd notion. Does Christ delegate any other aspect of His powers or characteristics? No. He is our sufficiency in all things.

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed." ( Gal. 1:8; top )

No person who brings a different gospel is acting out of their unity with Christ (if they have any real unity with Christ) and he and his "gospel" are to be rejected.

"And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you... But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us... And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed." ( 2 Ths. 3:4 , 6 , 14; top )

The Lord is telling Paul that the Thessalonians would obey what the Lord was having Paul command them. If Paul had been commanding them apart from the Lord, it would have amounted to nothing ( Jn. 15:5; top ) and his readers' obedience to his commands would have been disobedience to Christ.

"If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord." ( 1 Cor. 14:37; top )

Anyone truly hearing the Spirit of the Lord will be able to hear the same things Paul was hearing and saying. Again this is the unity of the believer with the mind of Christ. (see 1 Cor. 2:16; top ) It is not a sign of independent, "delegated authority."

"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your soul, as those who must give an account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." ( Heb. 13:17; top )

Notice here the paradox: "obey those who lead you in Christ" but "do not exercise authority over your brothers." (see Mt. 20:25-26 ; Mt. 23:8-9 ; Mk. 10:42-43 ; Lk. 22:25-26; top ) The younger, less-mature are told to obey the older but the older, the leaders, are prohibited from exercising authority over the younger. How can this work? Easy. The older speak only what Christ is saying to the younger and they rely on the Lord to enforce any commands given. Any commands not given in the Spirit will not be enforced by the Lord and the Lord will hold the leader to account for every idle word. (see Mt. 12:36 ) Any disobedience on the part of the younger will be corrected or punished as the Lord leads the affected members of His Body to put into practice the procedures of loving confrontation leading to reconciliation or expulsion. (see Mt. 18:15-17; top )

Civil authorities differ from authority in the ekklesia precisely in this way. Civil authorities are given complete power over the life and liberty of their subjects precisely because their subjects are not necessarily in submission to God. After the fall of man, the sword in the hands of the governing authority was the method God gave to men to rein in and check the full depravity of man. Civil authorities require the sword to punish evildoers. ( Rom. 13:4 ) Those obeying the Spirit of God violate no just law. ( Gal. 5:23 ; Rom. 13:3; top ) Those disobeying the Spirit of God are not to be punished by the ekklesia's leaders (elders, bishops, pastors, apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, deacons or whatever title they may posses or usurp to themselves) because, while civil authorities are given the sword to punish evildoers, the leaders of the ekklesia (elders/overseers and deacons) are not. (see 1 Tim. 3:1-7 ; Tit. 1:6-9; top - there simply is no reference to bearing arms and using force!) Rather, those in the body who are sinning are to be confronted by the whole of the ekklesia together with the power and authority of Christ. ( Mt. 18:17 ; 1 Cor. 5:4; top ) If this unity is not available to one who has been wronged (something quite likely in this age of lawlessness, the vast majority doing what is right in their own eyes), then God is still quite capable of intervening directly should He think it necessary. That so few recognize this fact about the supremacy of God speaks only of the rampant unbelief upon the people who claim to belong to God.

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock..." ( 1 Pet. 5:1-3; top )

Here again we see an echo of Christ's command to not exercise authority over the flock ( Mt. 20:25-26 ; etc.) but rather the elders are to be examples that are worth imitating and following. (see 1 Cor. 11:1; top ) How are these leaders going to be such good examples? By abiding in Christ because, apart from Him, they can do nothing! When will these leaders have insight and wisdom worthy to be followed? When they speak out from their oneness with Christ. But if they exalt themselves into some "superior" clergy status, they are being disobedient to Christ and have no authority whatsoever - though they may still be due some respect solely on the basis of their age. (see 1 Tim. 5:1; top )

"Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." ( Lk. 9:1-2 )

"And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease." ( Mt. 10:1 )

"Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons." ( Mk. 3:14-15 )

"And He called the twelve to Him, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits." ( Mk. 6:7 )

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." ( Lk. 10:19; top )

These few are almost the only clear instances in the New Testament where Christ overtly and clearly gives authority to anyone. If these were the only Scriptures that speak on this issue, the teaching of "delegated authority" would have merit. But what else was given to the twelve and the seventy disciples of Christ only a short time after the events spoken of in these passages? The very Spirit of Christ and God! (see Acts 1:8; top ) When they received the Spirit, they received everything they needed for life and godliness - including Christ's full authority. He was with them by His Spirit - they had no need of the delegated authority they had exercised when Jesus was only a man limited by time and space. To continue to rely on the delegated authority they had before the Spirit was given to them would be to quench the work the Spirit was doing now. Trying to walk in the delegated authority of Christ in our day would be somewhat akin to receiving only the baptism of John - an absurd mockery of the gospel. It is yesterday's manna (at best) and it will not sustain our life today.

There is something else we should notice about this instance of delegated authority. No mention is made of having authority over one's brothers. Over demonic spirits and diseases, yes. To preach the gospel, yes. To heal the sick, yes. To tell one's brothers what to do, no. In these sole places where Christ does actually delegate authority (in its season), He still leaves no room for lording it over another brother!

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." ( Jn. 1:12; top )

Here is the only other place in the New Testament where Christ overtly and plainly gives authority directly to men. But very few indeed would argue that this authority is "delegated." Any attempt to be a child of God apart from the work of the Spirit of God is doomed. (see Jn. 3:5-6 ; Gal. 3:3; top ) There can be no independent delegation of this authority apart from our receiving the Spirit. Let us also notice that this overt and direct giving of authority by Christ - one of only a handful of times where such a thing is done in the New Testament - is available to all believers and still has absolutely nothing to do with commanding our brothers.

A Sinister Note

There is yet one more warning that must be sounded. One who insists on being a "delegate" of Christ opens himself to more sinister forces than is at first apparent. A delegate comes "in the place of" another. This is precisely the meaning of "anti" in antichrist, the spirit that has as its goal to get us to put anyone or anything in any place of Christ or in any place of the Spirit of Christ. Thus any teaching or practice that places another authority or "head" or "covering" than Christ over a man's life is a deception perpetrated by the spirit of antichrist. Any teaching or practice that sends a man out in the place of Christ (as opposed to the man going because he is abiding in Christ) is a deception of antichrist. Anytime these deceptions are used to coerce the sheep into compliance with some man's ideas (lording over them), it is just plain evil.


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