"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (Hebrews 13:17).
Enterprising preachers use this verse to establish a domain, power base, and denomination within the religious community. The scripture does not support this ideology. The interpretation of the Word of God based upon our perspective is often subject to error, especially when we use it to bend the will of the people for self-promotion. Understanding the Word of God teaches us that the perspective must always be that of the author. When we surgically removed Bible verses from their supporting scripture and presented as a complete thought, the context and perspective greatly suffer.
What does the scripture mean when it says, "Obey them that have the rule over you? First, those who desire to establish a power base and Lord over the church should not attempt to interpret this scripture. Second, the reference here is to the religious teachers, and not to civil rulers. The church was to show them proper respect and submit to the authority in the church, by the precepts of the Savior.
The obligation to obey does not extend to anything which is wrong in itself, or which would be a violation of one's conscience. The doctrine is that subordination is necessary to the welfare of the church and that there ought to be a disposition to yield all proper obedience to those who are over us in the Lord.
Also, submit yourselves, that is, to all, which they enjoin that is lawful and right. There are, about society,
(1.) We must always obey those things that God positively commanded.
(2.) Many things which have been agreed on by the community or church as needful for its welfare--and these are to be submitted to unless they violate the rights of conscience; and,
(3.) Which there is no expressed Divine command and of no formal enactment by the church or community. They are matters of convenience; things that tend to the order and harmony of the church or community, and of the propriety of these, "rulers" in the church or community and elsewhere should be allowed to judge, and we should submit to them patiently. Hence, in the church, we are to submit to all the proper regulations for conducting public worship; for the promotion of religion; and for the administration of discipline.
For they watch for your souls. They have no selfish aim in this. They do not seek "to lord it over God's heritage." It is for your own good that they do this. The church should submit to these arrangements, but, those selected to serve should not abuse this authority. Their service should be in such a way as to promote the salvation of the people, and all the arrangements should be to that end. The measures adopted, therefore, and the obedience enjoined, should not be arbitrary, oppressive, or severe. It should be such as will promote unity within the church and salvation.
Pastors often seek to impose their will on the church under the guise of a new message from God. The path that many appointed or elected leaders follow leads to division within the Church and community and cause the believability of God to suffer.
In Paul's time, the elders retained the rulership of the churches. Elders of the church did not necessarily denote members of the clergy. During the early church years, the church was an intricate part of the community, not a building or assembly set aside by a particular denomination or preacher. Therefore, church rulers were members of the community, and they ministered to the needs of the community through the church.
The interpretation of the scripture to suppress the people of God and bring them into bondage is not according to the will of God (Galatians 2:4). Often our resolve to question the wolves who come to us in sheep clothes with a credential is tempered by the indoctrinated belief that whatsoever or whosoever proclaim to be of God is of God. 1st John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. The scripture teaches us how to treat the messengers of God; it also teaches us how to test those wolves that come in sheep clothes.
New leaders are emerging overrunning the church and community. The emergence of these leaders or the proliferation of the role of leadership has created a divided platform. This platform needs to be reconciled for the organized church to regain its once held status. Many communities and church leaders' objectives are to stir up a type of dissension or hatred necessary for establishing a different base. The aim is to enhance their self-proclaimed position.
How can the organized church, a fragment body, a divided house reconcile itself through the fragmentation that it has suffered for more than one thousand years? How will this be reconciled within the Kingdom of God? Maybe there are other guidelines in place that determine who is saved and who is not. Is it possible that much of the doctrines will have no value in the Kingdom of God? These are the issues that the organized church and its array of leaders must resolve to maintain the light that Jesus threatens to remove from the church.
The desire to stand out, the desire to be a superstar, the desire to be in charge is the driving force behind many new denominations and ministers entering into the vineyard of Christ. To make such statements is opening myself up to criticism, but there is an urgent need for the telling of the truth. Hiding behind scriptures out of context and making false claims on God has placed the church in a tenuous position. To sustain itself in a blatant attempt to remain relevant, that which is a part of the world is acceptable to the church, not for edifying God, but for attracting more people to the church as a place of entertainment. Modern day churches are seeking to merge worship, workshops, and entertainment, and there are those who are good at this, they are reaping the benefits of Christ church while Jesus is left standing at the door knocking. How profane.
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