The Christian church: who is head?
Rod Smith
August 22, 2008
Is it the denominational headquarters? Is it the local minister or pastor? Is it the Pope?
The answer to all the questions is no. Some ministers think they are the head, but they are not. The head of the Christian church overall is the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22).
Because He is not humanly present, He doesnīt get much of a say in how churches are run. He should, because He is the head. He ought to be consulted by prayer and reference to the Word regarding every aspect of what a church does.
Sometimes a church member makes known they want to do something individually for Jesus, Many churches say "Oh you must have the covering" meaning their particular denomination or their rules and regulations. Itīs a good way of controlling members, but it isnīt necessary nor is it biblical.
When venturing into a ministry, the only covering any Christian needs is that of Jesus. That is how the Early Church operated. They took instructions from Him. They listened to what Jesus said and did it. The Book of Acts reveals the dynamic results.
Generally, the church today is like a car that will not go because it has no engine. The missing engine is Jesus.
He is not visible, but His words are in the Bible. The problem is that generally (thank God for the exceptions) Jesusī instructions are not followed. It is like a manager in a company not doing what the managing director says.
Jesus said: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." It isnīt done. Preaching is mainly confined to the building where everyone congregates on Sunday morning. Some satellite TV preachers will say they do go into all the world. Yes, in a sense, but from the safety of the comfortable studio.
Jesus said: "Cast out demons." It isnīt done. If a demonic manifestation occurred in a church today most of the leaders wouldnīt know what to do. Yet all they need do is read the Bible and follow Jesusī method. In John 14:12 He says believers can emulate Him! Few seem to believe it though.
Jesus said " Heal the sick." Generally that isnīt done either. From this writerīs observation many churches will not even attempt divine healing because they say it died out two thousand years ago.
Those who do practise it give the impression only a select few have authority to heal the sick. That is not biblical. The status quo is that leaders invite sick people to come forward for prayer. Many churches make no effort to teach the scriptures that say any believer can heal the sick. Hence the people remain ignorant and donīt what to do spiritually when becoming ill in the middle of the night - and those they regard as the chiefs are at a conference a thousand miles away.
There is so much religious humbug, control, and manipulation, and it is a sad departure from the directness and simplicity which was the modus operandi of Jesus, the disciples and apostles.
Jesus is the real boss, the real head of the church. All churches should get back to His methods and abandon theirs. They need to believe what the Bible says, and do it. All denominational and human tradition should be abandoned.
The answer to all the questions is no. Some ministers think they are the head, but they are not. The head of the Christian church overall is the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22).
Because He is not humanly present, He doesnīt get much of a say in how churches are run. He should, because He is the head. He ought to be consulted by prayer and reference to the Word regarding every aspect of what a church does.
Sometimes a church member makes known they want to do something individually for Jesus, Many churches say "Oh you must have the covering" meaning their particular denomination or their rules and regulations. Itīs a good way of controlling members, but it isnīt necessary nor is it biblical.
When venturing into a ministry, the only covering any Christian needs is that of Jesus. That is how the Early Church operated. They took instructions from Him. They listened to what Jesus said and did it. The Book of Acts reveals the dynamic results.
Generally, the church today is like a car that will not go because it has no engine. The missing engine is Jesus.
He is not visible, but His words are in the Bible. The problem is that generally (thank God for the exceptions) Jesusī instructions are not followed. It is like a manager in a company not doing what the managing director says.
Jesus said: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." It isnīt done. Preaching is mainly confined to the building where everyone congregates on Sunday morning. Some satellite TV preachers will say they do go into all the world. Yes, in a sense, but from the safety of the comfortable studio.
Jesus said: "Cast out demons." It isnīt done. If a demonic manifestation occurred in a church today most of the leaders wouldnīt know what to do. Yet all they need do is read the Bible and follow Jesusī method. In John 14:12 He says believers can emulate Him! Few seem to believe it though.
Jesus said " Heal the sick." Generally that isnīt done either. From this writerīs observation many churches will not even attempt divine healing because they say it died out two thousand years ago.
Those who do practise it give the impression only a select few have authority to heal the sick. That is not biblical. The status quo is that leaders invite sick people to come forward for prayer. Many churches make no effort to teach the scriptures that say any believer can heal the sick. Hence the people remain ignorant and donīt what to do spiritually when becoming ill in the middle of the night - and those they regard as the chiefs are at a conference a thousand miles away.
There is so much religious humbug, control, and manipulation, and it is a sad departure from the directness and simplicity which was the modus operandi of Jesus, the disciples and apostles.
Jesus is the real boss, the real head of the church. All churches should get back to His methods and abandon theirs. They need to believe what the Bible says, and do it. All denominational and human tradition should be abandoned.