Authority in the local church

1 Peter 5:5 — “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

1. “Younger”: This plural word refers to all members of the local congregation in contrast to the pastor (“elder").

2. The local church cannot function without authority and leadership.

3. The leadership of the local church is divided into two categories:

a) Teaching — 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

b) Administration — 1 Timothy 3:9-13.

4. Ultimate leadership must exist in any organisation, this is vested in the pastor.

5. “Submit”: u(potassw. This means to recognise the chain of command — and consider yourself under the authority of the leadership in a local church.

6. “Submit” is in the aorist tense — is referring to the point of time during the function and activity of the local church in its services, Bible classes, and means of outreach. A member is to submit, not undermine the authority of the pastor. Also if a church has to administer discipline, the member should submit willingly to it, or get out.

7. “Submit” is also in the middle voice which means that the object is benefited by the action of the main verb. The congregation is benefited by submitting to the authority of the pastor.

8. The imperative mood: This is a command to all believers. All believers should be members of some congregation. Your should go somewhere where you can feed on the Word of God.

Nearly all trouble in a local church comes from the violation of 1 Peter 5:5. Troublemakers are those who undermine the authority of a pastor — by criticism and other methods. This has to be nipped in the bud by a strong pastor-teacher who runs a tight ship as unto the Lord.