The government of the church is not a democracy (controlled by her members). Rather it is a theocracy (controlled by Jesus). Her mission and laws are therefore established by Jesus. However, the execution of His mission, interpretation and enforcement of His laws, He has entrusted to His elders. The elders serve as Jesus’ commanding officers ranking only under Him as the church’s Commander In Chief. Their appointment is by Jesus, according to His criteria, the selection of His (already) existing elders and the affirmation of His church. The elders’ authority is therefore divine, their judgments binding or backed by Jesus, and their jurisdiction over all people and things related to the church.  They are empowered to make whatever decisions and changes necessary – or use whatever resources available, to accomplish Jesus’ mission and obey His law.  Unless sufficient evidence can be provided to prove the elder’s actions are sinful, Jesus expects His church (or people) to completely trust and defend their integrity, provide them with valuable intel, fully support their decisions and eagerly obey their orders. If there are questions and confusion, it is the obligation of the church’s members to go directly to Jesus’ elders, giving them the benefit of the doubt and being teachable to their biblically-backed response or instruction. Those who do not follow Jesus’ established protocols or procedures, choosing instead to stand against His elders or their decisions through action or speech that condemns, questions – or causes doubt and division in the minds of others, are to be identified as wolves and receive severe treatment by the church.

1. The government of the church is not a democracy (controlled by her members). Rather it is a theocracy (controlled by Jesus). Her mission and laws are therefore established by Jesus. (Mat 28:18-20 = Jesus has “all authority” [i.e. He is the king/ruler] over Creation. His est’d mission for the church: 1) evangelism/expansion [“go…make disciples of all nations”], 2) discipleship/discipline [“teach them to obey”]. Our obedience is to His est’d laws [i.e. what He has “commanded”]. Everything therefore we do as a church must be unto these ends and exist w/in these parameters.)

2. However, the execution of His mission, interpretation and enforcement of His laws, He has entrusted to His elders. (Act 2:41-42 w/8:12, 35-38 = Elders execute Jesus’ mission by making disciples and doing discipleship; Act 11:19-26 = No one “added to the Lord” [mission of making disciples not accomplished and church est’d] until elders arrive; Act 13:1-3 = Elders are sent to make disciples; Act 4:34-35 w/6:1-4 w/Deu 15:4-8 = Elders see that the law is kept; Act 15:6-21 = Elders determine right doctrine/interpretation of Scriptures/law; 1Ti 1:3-11, 1Ti 4:13 w/2Ti 1:13, 2:15, 4:2 w/Tit 1:9 w/2:15 = Elders interpret, disciple and enforce Jesus’ laws/Scriptures.)

3. The elders serve as Jesus’ commanding officers ranking only under Him as the church’s Commander In Chief. Their appointment is by Jesus, according to His criteria, the selection of His (already) existing elders and the affirmation of His church. (Jos 5:14; 2Ti 2:3-4 = Elders are enlisted men – i.e. officers; Rom 13:1 = Elders are Jesus’ est’d authority; 1Ti 3:1-7 w/Tit 1:6-9 = Elders must meet strict qualifications/criteria; Act 14:23 w/Tit 1:5= Elders appoint new elders; Act 6:1-6 = Elders determine how many elders and the church affirms.)

4. The elders’ authority is therefore divine, their judgments binding or backed by Jesus, and their jurisdiction over all people and things related to the church. (Joh 20:21-23 w/Mat 12:22-32 w/Act 15:6, 28 w/Act 5:4, 9; Mat 16:18-19 [Psa 87:1-2] = The elders possess the authority/voice/judgment of the HS/keys to heaven/Zion’s gates. To lie/deceive them is to lie/deceive the HS; Mat 18:17-20 – “the church” = those binding/loosing, the “two or three gathered” – i.e. the elders. Jesus backs/stands w/His elders [“whatever you bind/loose…sb bound/loosed in heaven…if two of you agree on earth about anything…there I am among you”]; 2Co 13:1-4= Jesus is the One speaking/judging thru His elders when they speak/judge according to His est’d protocol/procedure; Rom 13:2 = To stand against Jesus’ est’d authority is to stand directly against God; Mat 10:14-15 = Refusing to submit to Jesus’ elders will earn you a place in hell worse than those in S&G who attempted to rape God [Jesus and the HS]; As to jurisdiction – e.g. Eph 5:22-25; 1Co 7:3-5)

5. They are empowered to make whatever decisions and changes necessary – or use whatever resources available, to accomplish Jesus’ mission and obey His law. (Mat 5:1 = Jesus uses a strategic hillside to preach; Luk 16:8-9 = Jesus calls for creative use of the church’s monies to accomplish the mission of making disciples; Act 16:6-10 w/2Co 1:16-17, 23 = Paul changes from his previous plan/course due to new intel; Act 11:1-18 w/15:5, 6-21 w/16:4 = The elders change their doctrine based on a better understanding of God’s Word; 1Co 9:19-23 = Paul does whatever it takes [w/in the parameters of the law] to accomplish the mission; Act 6:3 = Elders decide to add new elders [or change the number of existing elders] as the solution to a present deficiency in their attempts to obey the law [regarding the poor/widows]; e.g. Seal Team 3 – Task Unit Bruiser’s accounts of the battle for Ramadi, Iraq in Extreme Ownership = In war, change is the only constant – and key to success, where learning is on-going, the landscape or situation is not fixed and the enemy refuses to play by the rules.)

6. Unless sufficient evidence can be provided to prove the elder’s actions are sinful, Jesus expects His church (or people) to completely trust and defend their integrity, provide them with valuable intel, fully support their decisions and eagerly obey their orders. (1Co 4:1-6; 1Ti 5:19; 1Th 5:12-13; Gal 4:12; Rom 13:7; Act 6:1 w/1Co 5:1 = People provide intel to elders; 1Co 1:10-11 w/Phi 1:27 = To accomplish their mission and obey Jesus’ laws, the church is to be of the same mind/judgment- which means once the judgment has been est’d by Jesus elders, everyone is to fully commit to it as though it were the only righteous decision/option available; 2Co 10:1-8 = The elders are to see that the minds/wills of the church are given to Jesus – which is in accordance w/His authorities, the elders. Hence the reason Paul can speak of punishing those who disobey their “authority”; Act 4:32 w/Act 6:2,5 w/Act 15:22 = The church affirms/supports the elders decisions; Heb 13:17 w/2Co 7:15 = The church respectfully and eagerly obeys the elders understanding their office and obligation to give an assessment of each member on J-Day; e.g. US Armed Forces: This is why they are among the greatest militaries and most effective fighting units in the world/human history: B/C their soldiers trust, respect & know how to commit their minds/wills to the decisions of their C.O.s. Does that mean we /they follow blindly? NO. It means we understand that most C.O.s have earned their positions as capable men who CAN BE trusted/followed. This is even more true for Jesus’ elders since they have not only demonstrated some level of competency/integrity to be in that position [“above reproach”, “able to teach”], but are also being directly led and backed by Jesus.)

7. If there are questions and confusion, it is the obligation of the church’s members to go directly to Jesus’ elders, giving them the benefit of the doubt and being teachable to their biblically-backed response or instruction. (Act 15:1-2; Gal 2:1-2; 1Ti 2:19; This includes even when it hurts, 2Ti 4:2 –“reprove, rebuke and exhort”; Tit 2:15 – “exhort and rebuke w/all authority. Let no one disregard you.”; e.g. pastor Rowe’s recommendation letter for Seminary.)

8. Those who do not follow Jesus’ established protocols or procedures, choosing instead to stand against His elders or their decisions through action or speech that condemns, questions, causes doubt and division in the minds of others – or attempts to deceive the elders, are to be identified as wolves and receive severe treatment by the church. (Act 20:17 w/28-30 [“arise”]= Literally self-appt. Their arrogance makes them believe they know more/more fit to lead God’s people and so attempt to draw others away thru their criticisms of the existing leaders. Their actions however prove to be masochistic [i.e. self-destroying] since to follow them means no longer possessing Jesus’ support/blessing. In this way they destroy both Jesus’ mission and the safety of God’s people [hence the reason they are referred to as “wolves not sparing the flock”]. Nothing good can be gained thru supporting/listening to them/their complaints. BTW: Those who self-appt. tend to be people who cannot become elders bc they have a hard time following orders and their lives are filled w/sin; Joh 10:1, 10 – “he climbs in another way” = The number one way to spot a wolf/person set on sedition is they do not follow proper protocol/procedure. They instead go around Jesus’ appted shepherds [i.e. the “door” to the pen] and attempt to rob the sheep of their confidence/stability [hence the reason Jesus calls this person a “thief and a robber”]; Jud 1:5-8 = Like the Exodus rebels, demonic angels or people of Sodom and Gomorrah, these people operate “relying on their dreams”. IOW: their reasons for defying/blaspheming Jesus’ authorities (or “glorious ones”) are completely based on what they dreamt up [based on their feelings and fantastical view of themselves] versus the facts/righteousness. They are therefore very self-deluded individuals – people who like the demons, do “not stay w/in their own position” but leave “their proper dwelling” and “reject [Jesus’] authority” in the church; Rom 16:17-18; Tit 1:9-11 w/3:10-11; 1Ti 5:19-20; 3Jo 1:10; Why such people are to be treated so severely = BC they threaten the thing most dear to God’s people: the success of our mission (for Jesus), and the safety of our Church and its people. The toleration of known wolves (versus swift and severe action against them), is the biggest single cause of church families suffering severe “upset” [Tit 1:11] – even complete destruction. e.g. Korah – Num 16:1-3 – “Holy as you” = We possess as much authority or right to lead/make decisions for the congregation as you [Moses – Jesus’ appted leader]. God causes the ground to open up swallow people who think this way; As it re: to deceivers: Judas – Mat 26:14-16, 47-49 = Judas was a double-tongued man – acting as though he loved Jesus while he deceitfully sold Him out to others; Ananias & Saphira – Act 5:1-11 = A&S attempted to hide their sin thru lying to the elders – which is again, lying to the HS, a serious crime; This is NOT a love story but a lesson for women to not be stupid by covering up their husband’s rebellion and following them to hell.)

CLOSING CONTEMPLATION/CHALLENGE: Jesus is not your Commander In Chief (nor your Savior), if you fight against (rather than for) His commanding officers, the elders of His church. Accomplishing our mission and getting home safely therefore requires that we follow Jesus’ elders/C.O.s and the protocol/procedures He has established in His Word. Like the Marines our motto sb, Semper Fi – always faithful.