1 THESSALONIANS 5:12-13 & HEBREWS 13:17
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.[1]
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.[2]
The two passages above have been grouped together because of their similarity. In both of these passages there are different responsibilities prescribed for both the brethren and the leaders of the brethren. The brethren are commanded to appreciate and esteem their spiritual leaders very highly in love; they are to obey their leaders and submit to them. The elders are described as diligently laboring; they have charge over the brethren in the Lord and give instruction. They keep watch over the souls of the brethren and will be held accountable to God for how well they do this.[3] The final statement of the Hebrews passage seems to indicate that, in the same way that the elders will be held accountable for how they keep watch, so will the brethren be held accountable by God (in some way not specified) for how they obey and submit.
Summary of 1 Thessalonians & Hebrews
- Believers must appreciate, honor, and submit to the authority of their spiritual overseers.
- Spiritual leaders will be held accountable for how they perform their duties as overseers.
- It would be unprofitable for believers to not heed the instructions here given.
CONCLUSION
After examining all of the major New Testament passages that deal with church government and administration, one must conclude that the New Testament does not prescribe any one method or form of church polity. The emphasis throughout the New Testament is not necessarily how things are done in the church, but that they are done in a manner worthy of the Lord by individuals who have demonstrated faithfulness. In cases where the how is prescribed by Scripture, it certainly must be followed; but in the case of church government, that how is simply not prescribed. When individuals are needed for positions of service or leadership, the emphasis is placed on the character that is required in those individuals and that their selection be taken seriously. The Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Jesus) is the sovereign head over all the affairs of his church. All fall under his authority and all answer to him. There is a clear distinction throughout the New Testament between elders and those who are not elders. Elders are given specific responsibilities including, but not limited to, teaching, preaching, shepherding, managing/ruling, taking care of the church, and keeping watch over the lives of the brethren; they are clearly given authority over the church, but are sternly warned to not lord it over those allotted to their charge, but to be servant-leaders who will give an account of their actions to the one who gave himself up for the church – that is Christ, the only head of the church.
Regarding the plurality of elders seen throughout the passages discussed, some interpret this as an indication that there were multiple elders over each local assembly (this certainly seems to be the case in Jerusalem with all the apostles present there); however, others say these references to elders “could possibly point toward house churches.”[4] Whether there were multiple elders in one assembly or individual elders in multiple house churches (or a combination of both) is not necessarily important. The emphasis, again, throughout the New Testament is not how, but who. When godly leaders are serving God’s chosen people by the power of God’s Holy Spirit under the authority of the Head – God’s Holy Son – then the how will take care of itself.
[3] See also James 3:1.
[4] Dr. Robert James Utley, vol. 3B, Luke the Historian: The Book of Acts, Study Guide Commentary Series (Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International, 2003), 71.
church and government should be separated, since church has its own way rules same with the government. And also church must respect the government so that to prevent any grievances.
http://www.churchmanagepro.com/
Yes, the church and the government are separate entities. When we speak of “church government” we are talking about how the church governs itself – how it makes decisions and who makes those decisions. We are not talking about a combination of the church and the government into one entity.