Of all the movements today, none seem to exalt human authority more than many Charismatic circles. Leaders in these groups often make sweeping claims to authority, likening themselves to Moses, and demand unquestioning loyalty. Anyone who dares to point out error or question their teaching is swiftly branded as “rebellious,” “divisive,” or even compared to the most notorious rebels in Scripture. But let us be clear: true obedience is not measured by submission to men, but by adherence to the Word of God—no matter what any man claims.
The Pattern of Apostolic Freedom
Paul stands as our God-given pattern. He exercised his freedom in Christ to obey his conscience and the clear revelation of the Word, even when it meant publicly opposing the most prominent leaders. When Peter, the so-called pillar, compromised the gospel, Paul rebuked him to his face—not to cause strife, but to preserve the truth among believers. When false brethren tried to compel Titus to be circumcised, Paul refused to yield for even a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain intact. This is not rebellion; this is faithfulness. God would have His children free from the fear of men—not so we can indulge the flesh, but so we can speak the truth in love and contend for the gospel. All of this is laid out in the opening chapters of Galatians.
If you are burdened by accusations of “rebellion” simply because you see a difference between what is taught and what is written, you are not alone. Sensitive believers often find these accusations the most painful to bear. The fear of being “out of order” or “opposing God’s anointed” is used as a weapon to keep the sheep silent and compliant. But this is not the way of Christ.
The New Testament Model of Authority
What does the New Testament actually teach about authority? Jesus Himself drew a sharp line: “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them… Not so among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant… For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45). Christian authority is not lordship, but servanthood.
Paul, again as our pattern, describes his ministry not as a position of dominance, but as a gentle, affectionate nursing mother cherishing her children (1 Thessalonians 2:6-8). The apostles did not exalt themselves above the flock, nor did they isolate themselves from the people. Peter, though an apostle, exhorted elders as a fellow elder, not as a lord: “Feed the flock of God which is among you… not as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-3). The apostolic pattern is intimate, humble, and nurturing—not distant, unapproachable, or domineering.
Those entrusted with leadership are to be approachable, gentle, and “apt to teach,” able to be entreated and to answer with meekness and patience (2 Timothy 2:24-25). They are elder brothers, not overlords. The New Testament knows nothing of leaders who rule from a distance, insulated from the people they claim to serve.
The Fruit of Authoritarianism
Contrast this with the authoritarian model so prevalent today. In many churches, the climate is one of fear. People dare not show anything but positivity and agreement, lest they be “dealt with”—by men or, as they are told, by God Himself. The leadership is exalted over the congregation, demanding obedience and suppressing honest questions or dissent. Pastors are often unapproachable, and many believers can go years without a meaningful conversation with those who claim to shepherd their souls.
This is not the pattern of Christ or the apostles. This is a system that fosters fear, suppresses the truth, and isolates both leaders and people. If you live under a cloud of condemnation, believing that disagreeing with “God’s anointed” puts you at odds with God Himself, you must return to the Scriptures. The appeal to authority in these circles is almost always rooted in the Old Testament theocracy—where David would not touch Saul, and rebels against Moses were swallowed by the earth. But you will not find Jesus or the apostles invoking this model under the New Covenant of grace.
What Is Lost If We Accept This Error?
If we accept the authoritarian model—if we surrender our conscience and the witness of Scripture to the claims of men—we lose the very heart of the gospel. We forfeit our freedom in Christ, our ability to contend for the truth, and the security that comes from justification by faith alone. The church becomes a place of bondage rather than liberty, fear rather than assurance, silence rather than truth. The inheritance of sonship is traded for the yoke of men, and the finished work of Christ is obscured by human control. If this error is allowed to stand, the gospel itself is at stake.
The Discipline of God and the Freedom of the Gospel
This is not to say that believers are above discipline or correction. But God disciplines His children for their good—not to silence dissent, but to lead them into truth and growth. True leadership corrects in love, not to protect a position, but to nurture the flock. Paul’s freedom was not a license for the flesh, but the liberty to stand for the truth, knowing that if God who justifies is for us, no one can be against us.
Believer, you are free in Christ—free to obey the Word, free to speak the truth in love, free from the fear of men. The justification you have received is not subject to the approval of any human authority. Stand fast in this liberty, and do not submit again to a yoke of bondage. True Christian authority is found in the pattern of Christ and His apostles: servant leadership, grounded in Scripture, and exercised in humility and love. Anything less is not merely a secondary error—it is a denial of the very gospel itself.
