Basic HTML Version
says in His Word, "OBEY them that have the RULE over you, and
submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that
must give account (as I know I shall) that they may do it with
JOY, and not with grief for that (causing those over you grief)
is unprofitable for YOU. Pray for us (THOSE OF US GOD HAS SET IN
AUTHORITY TODAY) for we trust we have a good conscience, in all
things, willing to live honestly" (Heb. 13:17-18).
No government in God's Church? Then WHY did God inspire
this to the Thessalonians? "And we beseech you, brethren, to know
them which labor among you, and are OVER YOU in the Lord, and
admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their
work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves" (I Thes. 5:12-13).
One of the things SATAN works overtime in injecting into
any mind that will let it enter, is RESENTMENT OF AUTHORITY. GOD'S
authority is administered in LOVE -- and actually as one SERVING
those under His authority for THEIR GOOD and out of loving CONCERN
for them. That is the way I try to use what authority God has
delegated to me, and I try to teach those under me to use it in the
same manner -- as a servant, not one lording it over those under
him -- as JESUS gave us an example. Satan DESPISES government,
except as HE himself harshly and in hate employs it.
But what does GOD say about DESPISING GOVERNMENT?
"But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of
uncleanness, and DESPISE GOVERNMENT. Presumptuous are they, self-
willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities, whereas
angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing
accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural
brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the
things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their
own corruption" (II Peter 2:10-12).
Brethren, THAT'S GOD'S WORD, not mine!
Now notice I Corinthians 12: In this chapter God is
showing that in THE WORK of the Church -- proclaiming the Gospel
to the world, and feeding the flock, there are different
ADMINISTRATIONS, different OPERATIONS, in the Church, and for
these, God has given various spiritual GIFTS, or empowerments,
by His Holy Spirit.
ADMINISTRATORS refer to performance of executive duties,
MANAGERIAL responsibilities, rather than policy-making. For
example, in the U.S. Government, the LEGISLATIVE Branch, that is,
Congress, with the Senate and the House of Representatives, makes
the laws. The PRESIDENCY is the EXECUTIVE Branch, the Supreme
Court the Judicial. The Presidency, or Executive Branch is called
"the ADMINISTRATION." So in the Church, God has set differences of
ADMINISTRATIONS. For example, we have today the Division of
Church Administration (CAD), or, Executive Administration over
ministers and churches. There is the Educational Administration,
or Executive direction over the Colleges and Imperial Schools.
There is Publishing Administration, Broadcast Administration over
radio and TV, etc. This of necessity requires organization. The