Defining Authority

Appreciate your brothers and sisters in Christ

“I have good things to say about Phoebe, who is a leader in the church at Cenchreae. Welcome her in a way that is proper for someone who has faith in the Lord and is one of God's own people. Help her in any way you can. After all, she has proved to be a respected leader for many including me.” (Rom 16:1-2 CEV)

One of the weaknesses in the church today is the lack of cooperation one with another. Many have a sense for their ministry, but not a sense for others. Instead of the intended partnership in the great commission, many ministries are territorial and not receptive to others bearing a message from God.

Some church leaders are finding creative ways to control and manipulate their congregations. In their mind they are the rulers and others are the subjects.  However, all Christians are exhorted to submit one to another in the fear of God. (Eph 5:21) Peter said it this way.

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.” (1 Pet 5:5)

The great leaders in Christ apply this principle to themselves. They submit to others too.  Probably the main reason we do not see this today is the result of misunderstand what submission means.   Today we hear submit and we think; “O my God someone is to control me".  But take a minute and think of it in this fashion:

“Hi friend, as a Christian I want to submit what I think God said to me so you will consider it.  This sense of submission is more indicative of the early Saints toward one another.  There was rank and there was order, but it was of a different nature than what we think today.



Suffering outside the Gate

“We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” (Heb 13:11-13)

Here a remarkable revelation is given. A point is made that connects a type and shadow from the Old Covenant to relate a truth for the New Saints of God. 

First, who is the writer referring to in saying “they have no right to eat”? Some paraphrase bibles leave the impression this was the Jewish priests who still served in the earthly temple of God. But this reference embraces much more depth. The writer is referring to all those who serve themselves instead of God. They serve their own tabernacle or body, and all its passions and desires. They do their own will instead of God’s will, and therefore they cannot eat the meat of God’s word. It is impossible for them to take it in because of their selfishness and because God does not permit it. They can only “go on unto perfection if God allows”. (Heb 6:1-3)

Now follow along. The beastly bodies mentioned refers to the sacrificed animals the people would bring to the tabernacle. The Priests were commanded to take these animals for service in several things. Let me break down briefly what took place. (For the most detailed explanation read Ex 29)

Some Priests were appointed to take the animal to a designated place and kill it. They would slit its throat and catch the blood in a basin. On the most part it was a quick and merciful death.

The blood would be sprinkled on the various furnishings of the temple, as well as sprinkled on the people in a public and symbolic manner much like we understand water baptism today. The High Priest alone would also enter the Holy of holies on the Day of Atonement and pour out the blood on the mercy-seat and the golden alter of God.

Now follow this closely. The remaining carcass of the animal was butchered. Select portions of the animal, the prime meat was cut out and sent to a storehouse. (Mal 3:10) It was part of the tithe the people were to give to the priests and the priests in turn were commanded to receive from the people, as their inheritance. (Heb 7:5-9) It was meat to feed them. It served to feed the priests, their wives, children, the servants of the tabernacle, orphans, widow, and any strangers or destitute people who came under their direct care. (Deut 14:27-29)

The animal’s body was cut up into pieces, to be burned. Some to be burned on the brazen alter. (Ex 29:16) This alter was located within the temple gate, but in public view. Like the elements of Holy Communion we are to publicly partake of, these events served as a symbolic reminder of the two-fold sacrifice of the body and blood of an innocent creature.

Other parts the sacrificed carcass was also to be burned, but this time outside the gate. The Hebrew epistle teaches us about an event that no other New Testament writer spoke about. The instructions were best set forth in the book of Exodus.

“But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.” (Exo 29:14)

This New Testament teacher pointed to another feature of the sacrifice which was also ordained, and ordained by the way to for public view too. However, it has a spiritual connotation. Here it is reminded that Jesus fulfilled this aspect of God’s sacrificial structure too. Jesus was whipped and beaten in a public manner in the temple area. There His blood initially flowed. Then His body was moved “outside the temple gate and crucified.

Pointing to a legality of Jewish Law the writer explains; “Wherefore Jesus also…suffered without (outside) the gate”. Jesus’ worst physical suffering took place on the cross outside the temple. In that He fulfilled these ordinance of God. His body was shed its blood. His flesh was cut but not broken.

Now consider this: Jesus’ body was given as the “first-fruit”, a tithe to all those who believe. In the New Birth God has made us Kings and Priests. (Rev 1:6) Priests are to eat the tithed meat of the sacrifice. That was their inheritance and how God promised to sustain them.

Spiritually speaking we are to eat the nourishing, spiritual meat of the revelation offered and handed over to us from God. That includes the milk as well as the meat of God’s word. Remember, Jesus, who is the word of God, said; “except you eat the flesh of the son of man…” (John 6:48-53) He understood by revelation of God that His physical coming served us in the flesh, for He spoke to us the word of God.

The plea the writer was making to these Christians, and to us, is clear. Although we have come spiritually to Mount Zion, that heavenly temple, in our physical body we are in the world and therefore literally outside that temple. So the writer conveys; just as Jesus suffered in His body, to peach and teach us, we are to the sufferings in this life and on this earth for teaching others as well. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Rather, like Him “let us go forth”, for this season outside the temple, and endure whatever reproach our association with Him requires; being sustained by the Meat that come from the heavenly alter, and giving it out to others in due season.