Christ the Head
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3
The Saviour did not commit the work of the gospel to Peter individually. At a later time, repeating the words that were spoken to Peter, He applied them directly to the church. And the same in substance was spoken also to the twelve as representatives of the body of believers. If Jesus had delegated any special authority to one of the disciples above the others, we should not find them so often contending as to who should be the greatest. They would have submitted to the wish of their Master, and honored the one whom He had chosen.
Instead of appointing one to be their head, Christ said to the disciples, "Be not ye called Rabbi," "neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ" (Matthew 23:8, 10).
"The head of every man is Christ." God, who put all things under the Saviour's feet, "gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all on all" (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22, 23). The church is built upon Christ as its foundation; it is to obey Christ as its head. It is not to depend upon man, or be controlled by man. Many claim that a position of trust in the church gives them authority to dictate what other men shall believe and what they shall do. This claim God does not sanction. The Saviour declares, "All ye are brethren." (The Desire of the Ages, 414)
Reflection: God has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, if we are open to receive it. The pastors and other church leaders are there to guide us, not dictate what we believe.
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3
The Saviour did not commit the work of the gospel to Peter individually. At a later time, repeating the words that were spoken to Peter, He applied them directly to the church. And the same in substance was spoken also to the twelve as representatives of the body of believers. If Jesus had delegated any special authority to one of the disciples above the others, we should not find them so often contending as to who should be the greatest. They would have submitted to the wish of their Master, and honored the one whom He had chosen.
Instead of appointing one to be their head, Christ said to the disciples, "Be not ye called Rabbi," "neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ" (Matthew 23:8, 10).
"The head of every man is Christ." God, who put all things under the Saviour's feet, "gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all on all" (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22, 23). The church is built upon Christ as its foundation; it is to obey Christ as its head. It is not to depend upon man, or be controlled by man. Many claim that a position of trust in the church gives them authority to dictate what other men shall believe and what they shall do. This claim God does not sanction. The Saviour declares, "All ye are brethren." (The Desire of the Ages, 414)
Reflection: God has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, if we are open to receive it. The pastors and other church leaders are there to guide us, not dictate what we believe.
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