Instead, I am going to go into some different areas of authority in a Christian's life, the responsibility of these areas, and the responsibility of the Christian towards them.
Today, with everything around us becoming more and more relative, more “politically correct” do what you want (so long as it's what all agree with) a proper understanding and relationship to authority is all the more important. All choose to some degree what they accept or reject as authority in their lives, on every level from trivial to divine. It is important that we, as Christians, have a proper view and understanding of authority in our lives, lest we unwittingly allow incorrect sources to usurp those proper positions and, at best distract, at worst, corrupt our walk. I intend to approach this from two different main areas, spiritual authority (ie, the Church, etc) and civil authority (government, etc)
Part 1: Spiritual authority
A:General relating to the Church and Christians
First and foremost is of course God himself, and His holy word the Bible. All authority must first be subject to God and the Bible in a Christian's life. We see several examples of authority in the Bible, far more than need be mentioned here. One that I personally like is Luke 7:8
“For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.”
This is not so much a definition of authority, but an understanding of, and proper reaction to proper authority. In other words, if a proper authority asks, expects, or demands something, within their authority, it is to be done.
If one accepts the Bible and Christianity as correct, one must inarguably accept the Bible, God, and the teachings of the Bible as supreme authorities in their lives.
Within that, one must also accept the proper authority within the Church, be it Ministers, Deacons, Teachers, etc. If they are properly called of God, then their authority is from God, and they are to be listened to. We see both sides of this in Galatians, where Paul both affirms his authority as an apostle of Christ, and goes after those who would usurp that authority to teach false teachings to the flock. In Galatians, Paul not only confronts these false teachers, but reaffirms his authority.
So how are we, in this modern day, to distinguish between proper authority within the Church, and usurpers, false teachers, and misguided well intentioned?
The first and best litmus test is the Bible itself, an authority ordained by God cannot violate the teachings of God, as this would in fact nullify their authority. This can be a hard concept for us to understand in our “modern” mindset of democracy, where every man is, to some degree, free to choose for himself his own direction. We have limited concept or understanding of Kings, Lordship, or Fealty. In the days of kings and lords, authority in a kingdom or realm was derived from the supreme authority of the land, that being the king himself, then to the nobles and lords (hence the term Lord of lords), to lesser knights, magistrates, etc. A man acting as a representative of the king was, in fact, essentially the king, if he was acting in proper authority, ie, within his office. His words were received as the words of the king, any action taken against him was viewed as against the king, he was not merely a man, but the king's man. On the flip side, if an officer of the court, a nobleman, or some other member trusted with noble or royal office, began acting in his own interests or interests outside his office, and was shown to have done so, consequences would be dire for him. The king's man had the protection, approval, and support of the King, so long as he remained the king's man. This was all lifted should he decide, out of pride, corruption, or misguided good intent, to turn or act against the king or the kings interests. So are we in the Church, we are all King's men, we have the protection, approval, and support of the greatest King of all, through the redeeming grace of his Son, Christ Jesus. However, we also have a responsibility as Kings men, to follow and understand the teachings of the Bible.
So, we are to judge, for ourselves, whom we allow as spiritual authority in our lives, anyone who teaches contrary to the Bible is not a fitting authority, all proper spiritual authority will be subject to the Bible, unless we deny the Bible itself. But how far shall we take this? Can we have doctrinal disagreements with an individual, yet still recognize them as a spiritual authority? To some degree yes, This is where discernment comes in, what is essential doctrine, and what is flexible in interpretation? Obviously the key doctrine is that of Christ, his death, and resurrection. Without this, our faith is meaningless, as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15, especially vs 17 “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.”. This is an inarguable tenet of Christianity, proven clearly throughout the Bible, and any who denies this or seeks to dismiss this tenet, holds no spiritual authority, and may not hold leadership in any God fearing Church. Essentially, if something is clearly stated or declared Biblically, it is, in fact, inarguable without nullifying the entire authority of the Bible. There is no picking and choosing, the Bible is either the inspired word of God, or it is not. Some issues however, are not clearly ordained in scripture, such as baby baptism, when and how the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs, etc. These are grey areas, not essential to salvation, but not harmful to salvation. We see two clear messages throughout the Pauline Epistles, unity of body, and condemnation of false teachers and the falsehoods they speak. We see both of these clearly in Philippians 3:15-18
“Let us therefore, as many as are perfect have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude , God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. “ (NAST, emphasis added)
Perfect as used above, is the greek word teleios (Strongs #5046) “teleios tel'-i-os from 5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with 3588) completeness:--of full age, man, perfect.”
Strongs 5056 refers to telos, meaning:
“telos tel'-os from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitely), result (immediate, ultimate or prophetic), purpose); specially, an impost or levy (as paid):--+ continual, custom, end(-ing), finally, uttermost”
Attitude is from the greek word phroneo:
”5426 phroneo fron-eh'-o from 5424; to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience):--set the affection on, (be) care(-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind(-ed), regard, savour, think”
Reveal, from the greek apokalupto:
“601 apokalupto ap-ok-al-oop'-to from 575 and 2572; to take off the cover, i.e. disclose:--reveal.”
Observe, from the greek skopeo;
“4648 skopeo skop-eh'-o from 4649; to take aim at (spy), i.e. (figuratively) regard:--consider, take heed, look at (on), mark.”
Pattern, from the greek tupos:
“5179 tupos too'-pos from 5180; a die (as struck), i.e. (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e. a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specially, a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning):--en-(ex-)ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print. “
“Let us therefore, as many as are perfect (complete, of age, completeness of purpose) have this attitude (to interest oneself in, with concern or obedience; be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind(-ed), regard, savour, think); and if in anything you have a different attitude , God will reveal (take off the cover, i.e. disclose) that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe ( take aim at; take heed) those who walk according to the pattern (a model for imitation) you have in us. For many walk, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ.” emphasis and () added
Or, my personal paraphrase:
“Let us who are mature in faith be obedient to one interest; if in anything you hold dissent, God will show you the truth of the matter. Keep living to the standard we know and understand. Take heed of and model your walk after the apostles and Church fathers. Many claim to speak and live truth, but are in fact direct enemies of truth and salvation itself.”
This to me, sums up what a Christian's attitude, in general, should be towards Church authority and towards one another. We are to to be obedient to Biblical teaching, and to those in Biblical offices (Pastors, deacons and elders, teachers, etc) We are to emulate proper authority, and to seek their guidance and the guidance of the Bible in our walk with Christ. If we disagree, we must seek the Bible and ask God for wisdom on the matter. Ultimately, if we find our dissent is not Biblically accurate, we are incorrect, and if we persist in pursuing falsehoods or in inaccurate dissent, we in fact become enemies of Christ, salvation, and the Church! We are told clearly in James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him”
Basically, if you don't know the answer, ask for it, and God will show you. It may not be (and likely won't be!) a blatant flashing neon sign, and it may not be the answer we want to hear, but God will answer. Once he answers, we are obligated to that answer, it becomes part of the standard mentioned above, once you know or achieve something, don't lose it.
To sum up the general responsibility of a Christian, we are to “....Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling....” (Philippians 2:12b) or, to take seriously the pursuit of understanding our faith and belief. We are to have some level of understanding as to what it is we believe, and have a responsibility to not only accept the properly ordained, God given authority of Church leadership and accept it's role in our spiritual walk, but to reject those who speak falsely, who do not adhere to Biblical standards, or would lead the weak in understanding astray from proper faith. As an example, it is the responsibility of those in the military to follow all lawful orders, but it is also the responsibility, duty even, to reject illegal and unlawful orders. As such, a proper understanding, at least on a basic level, of the laws and regulations governing his actions is essential to any soldier, how else is he to know if he is following correct authority? In the same way, we, as warriors of Christ, are responsible to have at least a basic understanding of the Bible and it's teachings, and as we mature and learn to seek God's guidance, that understanding will increase, and our responsibility with it. A false teacher will be held accountable for his falsehoods, but if you decide, even in ignorance, to follow him rather than truth, you will be held accountable for your choice. This is why it is so imperative that we choose those who we place in positions of spiritual authority so carefully, we hold our faith in our hands, and, furthermore, we are all leaders to someone. Should we choose poorly, hastily, selfishly, or lazily, we in fact, lead them astray. We are expected to place the unity of the Church body above being proven right in matters of trivial or little import, yet on matters essential to the faith as a whole, we are to be uncompromising, in other words, unity is preferrable to conflict, but only unity that is accurate, standards cannot be lowered in the name of unity, in fact, unity, Biblically speaking, doesn't mean every one gets along, it in fact means “one mind”, unity of goal, of purpose. It is impossible for a Christian who believes in the Bible to be in spiritual unity with someone who does not accept the authority of God or the Bible.
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