Authority in the church

Supreme authority belongs to Jesus Christ as head of the church

Ephesians 5:23 NASB95

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

See also Eph 1:22; Eph 4:15; Eph 5:24; Col 1:18

Spiritual authority under Jesus Christ in the church is possessed by elders

As shepherds who teach and care for the flock

Acts 20:28 NASB95

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

See also Jn 21:15–17; Eph 4:11–13; 1 Ti 3:2; 1 Ti 5:17; Tt 2:1–10; 1 Pe 5:2

As overseers ruling the church

Acts 20:28 NASB95

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

See also Ro 12:8; 1 Th 5:12 Those serving as overseers must rule their own homes well; 1 Ti 5:17

The response of the church to the authority of elders

Elders are to be obeyed

Hebrews 13:17 NASB95

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Elders are to be honoured and respected

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 NASB95

But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

See also 1 Ti 5:17

Paul limits the authority of women in the church

1 Ti 2:12 Some believe Paul’s restriction to apply to the women in the Ephesian church who were seizing authority rather than having been granted it. Others believe Paul is prohibiting women from being official teachers in the assembled church.

See also 1 Co 11:5–6; 1 Co 11:10; 1 Co 14:33–37

The reason for this prohibition derives from God’s order of creation

1 Timothy 2:13–14 NASB95

For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

See also 1 Co 11:3; 1 Co 11:7–10

Kinds of authority within the church

Authority to preach the gospel

Mt 28:18–19; Mk 16:15

Authority to excommunicate

Mt 18:15–18; 1 Co 5:1–5 “hand this man over to Satan” here means “send back into the world ruled by Satan”; 1 Co 5:9–13

Authority to forgive sins

Mt 18:18; Jn 20:23