Biblical authority and governance

Biblical Authority and Governance of the Church

The New Testament clearly teaches that the leadership and government of a church are in the hands of the elders (Greek: presbyteroi), also called overseers (episkopoi) or shepherds (poimenes). God entrusts this group with authority to lead, direct, and protect the people under Christ, the Head.

There is often pressure to conform to the patterns, cultures, and legalities of this world; however, biblically, the Eldership retains all final authority and governs the Church in all matters. In God’s plan for the church, there is a pattern of plural elder leadership, congregational respect and submission, and Christ-centered accountability. While submission is expected even within that group, the example set is one of clear, strong, and plural leadership.

1. Elders are appointed to govern the Church

In Acts 20:28 Paul said,

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." (NIV)

Paul’s final instruction to the Ephesian elders shows that God Himself, through the Holy Spirit, appoints elders to shepherd and oversee the church. Elders are not optional administrators but are God’s appointed stewards, to watch over souls (cf. Heb. 13:17).

Paul says in Titus 1:5–9

"The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An overseer, as God’s steward, must be blameless..." (NIV)

Elders are described as “God’s stewards,” a phrase denoting delegated authority. Elders serve to care for what belongs to God, including teaching, moral character, and order in the church.

2. Elders direct the full life of the Church

1 Timothy 5:17 says

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." (NIV)

Elders are here said to rule (proistamenoi — to lead, manage, or preside). Their leadership is not one of authoritarian control, but one of government, teaching, and care.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 says

"Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other." (NIV)

The phrase “over you in the Lord” (episkopountas — usually translated as “oversee”) clearly identifies a recognized position of authority in the church.

3. The Church’s call to submit to Elders’ leadership

The author of Hebrews 13:17 says

"Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you." (NIV)

This passage is one of the clearest statements of elder authority. The members of a local church are called to obey and submit to their elders’ leadership, knowing that they are watching over souls under God and will have to give an account to Him.

1 Peter 5:1–3

"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (NIV)

Elders are to exercise real authority (episkopountes — overseers), but it is an authority birthed from humble servanthood. Elders rule, but not as tyrants. They lead as Christ does, by example.

4. Elders as the final governing authority under Christ

Although Christ alone is the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18), He has delegated this authority to a group of under-shepherds. Scripture assigns to elders the responsibility for decision-making, teaching, discipline, and care of a local congregation.

Elders are not autonomous; they must be bound to Scripture and answerable to Christ. No local church is autonomous but rather integrated with the wider body of Christ and its elders, both part of and in submission to recognized wider eldership (Acts 15, all the Epistles).

Nonetheless, under Christ, they are given authority for government and doctrine as part of the wider Church.

5. The Jerusalem Council: A model of Elder governance (Acts 15)

A clear biblical example of collective elder leadership is found in Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council.

The Issue (Acts 15:1–2)

There was a dispute in Antioch about whether Gentile believers must be circumcised in order to be saved. The church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to “the apostles and elders” for a decision.

"The apostles and the elders met to consider this question." (Acts 15:6, NIV)

The apostles and elders are the decision-making body.

Deliberation (Acts 15:7–21)

• Peter testifies of God’s revelation to the Gentiles (vv. 7–11).

• Paul and Barnabas give an account of God’s work among the nations (v. 12).
  

Decision (Acts 15:19)

James, the leading elder in Jerusalem, gives the final judgment (vv. 13–21) "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God." (Acts 15:19, NIV)

James’ judgment is accepted as authoritative. The church is not called to have unquestioned hierarchical structure, where nothing is questioned and all things simply accepted. Neither is it a democracy where votes are collated. Rather, as seen in this case, the issue is opened by the elders and apostles, discussed, prayed over, and concluded.

This discussion took time, and we understand some level of consensus is reached. Ultimately, the final conclusion is given by the sitting authority, in this case, James.

Implementation (Acts 15:22–29; 16:4)

"Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas..." (Acts 15:22, NIV)

The wider church can hear these matters, yet it was the apostles and elders who gave the formal decree and chose and sent the letter.

Later, these decisions were read to other churches for observation:

"As they travelled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey." (Acts 16:4, NIV)

This is significant. The decisions of the council were binding, not just for Jerusalem or Antioch, but for all of the churches. It confirms that elders, under apostolic guidance, had authority in both doctrinal and practical issues.

6. Consistent Pattern in the Early Church

Elders in Every Church (Acts 14:23)

"Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church..." (NIV)

The local church should be under a plurality of elders. However, when Scripture speaks of or to the local church, it is not referring to every single isolated gathering of believers in the modern sense. The modern Church has at times isolated itself from the wider body in its own city. Rather, it is speaking of the Church in a city. In a more biblical regard would be all the Elders in a single city or region, wherever they may be meeting coming together as 'The Elders of the Church in 'insert location'.

A single gathering may at times not have an elder always present or multiple elders, but each must still sit under eldership and look to develop elder-standard people. The pattern of shared, accountable leadership is necessary for order and spiritual health.

The Ephesian Elders (Acts 20:17, 28)

"From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church..." (Acts 20:17, NIV)

Paul charges these elders with the responsibility to watch over “the flock.”

The localized church is responsible for its day-to-day operation but is not isolated from wider oversight and accountability, as seen in this text.

The Instruction to Titus (Titus 1:5)

"The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you." (NIV)

Conclusion

The biblical witness, from Paul’s pastoral instructions to the example of the Jerusalem Council, is unified. Elders are given authority by God to govern, teach, and protect the flock.

Elders have real authority in the affairs of a local church, but they are always servants of Christ, not above Him, always accountable to His Word and example, always accountable to oversight eldership beyond their locality.