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We live in an age of rebellion. The idea of "serving" someone is responded
to with contempt. The very concept of "submission" is contorted into
something the Bible never intended, and then attacked as a
horrible evil. (Often they will superimpose their distorted concept
of "submission" into the Bible, and then attack the Bible as well.)
The
concept of "leadership" is equally distorted - contorted into something
the Bible never intended, and used against people.
Oppression and mistreatment by someone in authority is just as
wicked (and under God's condemnation) as is rebellion by someone
under authority. Two examples: Brutal mistreatment of someone -
whether that person is called a "slave" or an "employee" - violates the
spirit of the 6th commandment. Exploiting
a worker (such as not paying him the wages he deserves) is a
violation of the 8th commandment.
God
intended both leading and serving to be done in a manner that
expresses love to others, and which builds them up, rather than
tearing them down. In God's sight, neither the one leading, nor
the one being led, is to be treated as better than, or inferior to the
other. Both are equally important.
God gave us the family as the basic structure that teaches the
relationship between authority and those under authority. The principles
about authority which are taught in the family (or are at least supposed to be taught there) are
intended to teach us how to interact in every other authority structure.
More importantly, they are intended to teach us about our relationship to
God the "Father," the relationship between Christ and the church, etc. -
and that is one of the reasons that the "family unit" is so strongly
attacked in an age of rebellion.
In a sinful world, there are sometimes legitimate reasons for a person
to disobey authority. But Scripture is very clear as to
when (and with what attitude) it is to be done. It strongly condemns
those who do so for the wrong reasons, or with the wrong attitude.
NOTE: When you examine what the Bible says about these issues, you
must use the Bible's definitions of these concepts, or you will
reach false conclusions about what the Bible says. Don't insert the
world's distortions into God's Word!
The Bible's Concept of Authority and Leadership |
Leadership Within the Church |
Even though the primary emphasis of this study is on
leadership within the church, the principles apply to any
type of leadership position. (The principles also have implications
to those who are under someone's leadership.) God does not
give us one method of leadership for "Christian" activities
and another method for "the rest of life." Rather, God
expects the same concept of leadership to apply to all areas
of life. [One additional issue, when we apply leadership principles to
the "church": We must remember that the New Testament's concept of
"church" does not refer to a religious institution,
but to the people who belong to Christ, whether or not they
belong to a man-made institution that many call a "church." These
"leadership" requirements apply to all of us, and is not
limited to some
man-made "religious institution."] This is a rather extensive study in
outline form.
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HTML (Divided into a Group
of Smaller Articles) / HTML
(Entire study in one file) / PDF |
Obedience & Submission
to Authority |
This is an in-depth study of what the New Testament
says about the concepts of obedience and submission. It includes an
overview of various issues related to the topic, an examination of
the New Testament Greek words which are translated as
"obedience" or "submission," an outline of every
occurrence of these words, and many questions to be used as a study
guide. THE LAST PART OF THE OUTLINE
GIVES SOME LINKS TO OTHER ARTICLES which deal with related issues,
and which will help us reach a "balanced" perspective.
[NOTE: The article about Civil Disobedience
(below) may be helpful for answering some of the questions in the outlines.] |
HTML / PDF |
Family Relationships |
God is clear on how a family is to function, and
raising a family according to his instructions is a serious
matter. An unwillingness for parents to obey God in this matter will
influence a child's perspective of every authority structure -
even their concept of God. |
Verses about Husbands and Wives - from "Torrey's New Topical Handbook" |
This is a list of verses, copied from the New Topical Handbook (public domain). It's
purpose is to provide a list that
can be used for discussion or quick reference.
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HTML / PDF |
The Training of Children |
God does not leave us to guess how to raise our
children - and we are sinning against both them and God, when we are
unwilling to do what God tells us to do. However, we must begin with our
own relationship with God, before we will be capable of
fulfilling our obligations to our children. |
HTML / PDF |
When Should We Disobey Authority? |
The apostles summed it up in Acts 4:19. When there is a conflict between
God's commands and the commands of a human authority, we have a moral obligation to obey God, rather
than the human authority. |
A Few Comments About Civil Disobedience |
This article explores the issue of civil disobedience,
and includes many Scripture references for you to examine. Included
are various principles related to how a person should interact with
an authority who has been placed over him. (Even when we must disobey
such an authority, it must be done with the right attitude.)
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HTML /
PDF |
NOTE: Reference is made
to the issue of VALUES. More can be learned about this issue at this webpage:
"Values CONFLICTS and CLARIFICATION" |
Jesus' example of a true leader...
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then,
your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one
another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do
just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not
greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who
sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
(John 13:13-17)
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