Four Basic Structures of Authority


1. (Family)-Father-Mother-Children 

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is just. Honour thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with a promise: That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest be long lived upon earth. (Ephesians 6:1-3)

My son, keep the commandments of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Bind them in thy heart continually, and put them about thy neck. (Proverbs 6:20-21)

The eye that mocketh at his father, and that despiseth the labour of his mother in bearing him, let the ravens of the brooks pick it out, and the young eagles eat it. (Proverbs 30:17)

A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. (Proverbs 15:5)

2. (Church)-Pope-Bishops-Priest-Members of the Church

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you: That you esteem them more abundantly in charity, for their work' s sake. Have peace with them. (I Thessalonians 5:12,13)

Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you. (Hebrews 13:17)

Let the priests that rule well, be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine: For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward. I Timothy 5:17,18)

The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ: as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre' s sake, but voluntarily: Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart. (I Peter 5:1-3)

3. (Government)-National Leaders-Local Officials-Citizens

Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God' s sake: whether it be to the king as excelling; Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of the good: (I Peter 2:13,14)

Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1)

For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same. For he is God' s minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God' s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. (Romans 13:3-4)

Wherefore be subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. (Romans 13:5)

For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose. Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom honour. (Romans 13:6-7)

4. (Business)-Employer-Employees

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not serving to the eye, as pleasing men, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God.(Colossians 3:22)

Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (I Peter 2:18)
Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed. (I Timothy 6:1)

But they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but serve them the rather, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. (I Timothy 6:2)

Conclusion:

These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that doctrine which is according to godliness, He is proud, knowing nothing. ( I Timothy 6:2-4)

Four Basic Structures of Authority
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