1673. Usurping the Seat of Authority

Usurping the Seat of Authority

"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat" (Mat_23:1-2).

These men who lorded it over Israel took unto themselves great authority because they claimed that they had fallen heir to Moses' seat. They stood, supposedly, between God and the people, as Moses stood; they received from God Heavenly orders, and sought to enforce them upon those who were under their feet, as Moses did.

The main ambition of the Pharisees was to be called: "Rabbi," "great chief."

The Lord Jesus, however, rebuked them and said: "Be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Mat_23:8).

There is great warning in all of this for the preacher of today. He must not lord it over God's heritage, but be an ensample to the flock; he must not take the place of authority and dictatorship and coerce the Church of God. The Church has but one Head; but One, who is clothed with all authority and power.

"All ye are brethren."

Our God will brook no self-appointed or church-appointed dictators.

Pastors must not lord it over God's heritage, but be ensamples to the flock.

There is but one Head of the Church, one Lord of * the life, one King of the conscience; that is, Jesus Christ, and He made Himself the servant of all.

Woe to those who seek places of prestige and power among the brethren and who go in quest of letters of authority from the Sanhedrin–they shall have their reward.

Woe unto those who assume a vicarship, and pronounce themselves potentates–they shall fall under the wrath of God.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR