Any kind of organization needs a source of authority, whether in a constitution with by-laws, or vested in the management of a person. Human organizations are structured both ways. Whole countries are sometimes controlled by the whim of a dictator, or, more fairly, by a legislature implementing democratic rules. When new churches are formed by men, they are likely to choose human forms of government, and create councils, synods, potentates, constitutions and creeds.

Christianity has the form of a kingdom, with an autocratic King, Jesus Christ. To many people, however, His totalitarian control is not irksome, since He is the "image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15). He has been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18), and "He must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet" (1 Corinthians 15:25). Only a benevolent tyranny could be expected to come from such a flawless ruler.

The authority of Christ in all things is a clear teaching of the Scrip-ture, but it is not fully respected by modern religious leaders. When all the proofs of His deity had been established, God exalted Jesus, and "made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:20-23).

Christ, as "head of the church" (Colossians 1:18), is also "head over all things to the church," having complete control over all that the church does, through His Word. The Apostles, given the gift of inspired revelation, were content to be simple "ministers of the New Covenant" (2 Corinthians 3:6), and they said that their writings were to be taken as "the commandment of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37). No power was ever given to men except as an extension of Christ's au-thority. Today, men who presume to have discretionary rule over churches, or legislative authority, are mistaken. Christ still has all authority, and is the supreme ruler. There is no other law but His.

1.Why, in your opinion, do organizations need a source of authority?

2.What types of government are usually chosen by churches formed by men?

3. What form of government did God choose for the church of Christ?

4. Is it a disadvantage to live under a tyrannical rule like that of Christ?______
Why?

5. How long will the reign of Christ last, according to 1 Corinthians 15:25?

6. According to Matthew 28:18, how much authority does Jesus now have?

7. According to Ephesians 1:20-21, where did God cause Christ to sit?

8. Christ is head over what, according to Colossians 1:18?

9. Over what is He the head, according to Ephesians 1:22-23?

10. Of what were the Apostles "ministers," according to 2 Corinthians 3:6?

11.What did the Apostle Paul say about his writings, according to 1 Corinthians 14:37?

12. Does any person have the right to make religious laws today?______Why?