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One of the little visitors at a Vacation Bible School once asked this question. His teacher told him Jesus is. He didn’t agree. He said he thought that man who stood up at the front (referring to me) was the boss. I’m not sure his mind was able to grasp the true answer, but he asked a good question.
If people were thinking aright, they would not even consider being part of a religious body that didn’t have Jesus as its “boss.” The Son of God said, “I will build my church” (Mat.16:18). Later he said, “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth” (28:18). Later yet, Paul, speaking of the Christ, said that God “…put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church…” (Eph. 1:22).
Because He has all authority regarding His church, neither men, women, nor group has the right to seize authority for themselves. For this reason, sacred Scripture frequently urges its readers to honor the authority of Christ completely. Jesus said we must do the will of the Father if we wish to be saved in Heaven (Mat. 7:21). He further declared we are His disciples only if we abide in His Word, not the words of mere men (John 8:31). Following the universal resurrection, He will judge all mankind by His words, not by the words of any man or group of men (5:28–29; 12:48). When Law of the Lord and the laws of men disagree, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Those who preach anything different from the original Gospel of Christ, bring damnation upon themselves (Gal. 1:8–9). We must “…contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints…” by inspired men, rather than for conflicting doctrines invented by uninspired men (Jude 3). We dare not add or take away from the Word of God by honoring the opinions of men above it (Rev. 22:18–19).
Christ has delegated authority to certain men in local churches in which qualified men are found (1 Tim. 3:1–7; Tit. 1:5–9). To these elders (also called “bishops,” “pastors”) He has delegated authority in each church. This authority, however, is not for making spiritual laws, but for preserving the church’s faithfulness to His Law (Acts 20:28-31; Tit. 1:9–14). To preachers He has delegated authority, but only to preach and teach His unadulterated Word (2 Tim. 4:2).
He is truly the church “boss” only if it works and worship as He directs (Luke 6:46).
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, October 8, 1987, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From www.thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, proprietor, curator, and administrator.
