In Galatians Paul says….”But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a Gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed”. (Gal 1-8, English Standard Version – ESV). Why use the word “we”? Paul is telling the Galatians to reject any new or different Gospel messages from any preacher, including himself. But surely Paul has greater claim to human authority than any preacher alive today? His authority is derived from a direct revelation from Jesus Christ…..”For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Gal 1-12, ESV). Furthermore, these are churches he has likely worked to establish – can’t he claim authority as their founder? Yet he urges the Galatian churches to reject even him if he comes to them with a new message.
Submission?
Don’t preachers sometimes promote a model of apparent Godliness whereby true spirituality is submission to them – you are under their authority? They neglect to impress upon their followers that their authority is derivative only. What are the consequences of this? What happens when a preacher preaches a message that contradicts what you know to be true? Under the tyranny of human authority it becomes unspiritual to hold the preacher to account. It is unspiritual to bring criticism to them because they are the final authority in your life.
Who is my faith in?
Subtly your salvation, faith and allegiance comes to rest on the preacher, not on the Gospel or the saving work of Jesus Christ. Is Paul then saying that all Christians have the derivative authority to hold each other to account, including ordinary congregation members to their preachers? Can I approach my leaders with critiques of their preaching, lifestyle or general personal attributes? Can I now forget human frailty exhibited in leadership and bring criticisms to them that discourage, crush or humiliate? This does not ring true with my understanding of scripture.
Our responsibility
So what is our responsibility? Is it to know scripture and evaluate what we hear by what we read and understand? Is it to personally reject false gospels and ideas that will lead us to destruction not salvation, and if necessary call our leaders to account using arguments based on scripture? This would not be tyranny, not anarchy but liberty – liberty that frees us from the chains of human authority. Not to crush our leaders but to urge them to greater knowledge and intimacy with God, so that they can truly lead their congregations to salvation.
Gal 5:1. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Heavenly Father, thank you for Godly leadership. Help us to steer each other towards greater knowledge of your truth and liberty. Increase in us the inner illumination of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Father of Lights 117 