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Recognizing and Submitting to God's Established Order in the Church

The concept of God's established order in the church is rooted in the understanding that believers are to submit to divine will and to one another within the community of faith. This submission is not merely a human construct but is seen as an expression of obedience to God [5]. The New Testament frequently uses the metaphor of the body to describe the church, emphasizing unity and the distinct functions of its many members [9, 11, 15].

The Greek word ecclesia, translated as "church," originally meant an assembly, and its character is determined by its context [4]. In the New Testament, this assembly is understood as the body of Christ, where individual components are members, each with an assigned place [10]. This body is unified, and harmony and mutual care are considered essential [14]. Just as Christ is one, so too is his body, transcending differences and fostering peace among believers [12, 13]. Both Jewish and Gentile Christians are joined together in Christ, forming a holy temple where God resides among his people [16].

Submission within this established order is a recurring theme. Ephesians 5:21 calls for believers to submit "one to another in the fear of God" [1]. This mutual submission can be understood in various contexts, including civil, familial, and ecclesiastical relationships [18]. While submission to governing authorities is generally commanded, it is always framed within the ultimate submission to God [20]. Obedience to God is commanded throughout scripture [5], and it is a clear indication of knowing Christ and belonging to him [2, 17]. Without faith, obedience is impossible [5].

Christ himself serves as the ultimate example of obedience, having humbled himself and become obedient [5]. His high priesthood, established by God, is superior to all others and is characterized by unblemished purity and faithfulness [6]. Believers are called to obey God's voice, his law, and the gospel itself [5]. This includes keeping his commandments, which is a sign of love for God and a path to growing knowledge of him [17].

The church's worship and practices reflect this established order. The Lord's Supper, for instance, is a central act of Christian worship instituted by Jesus himself [7]. Consecration, the act of setting apart something for God's service, applies not only to specific objects or groups in the Old Testament but also to Christians in the New Testament, who are regarded as consecrated to the Lord [8]. The doctrines concerning predestination and justification provide the foundation for the duties of religion, which include a regard for the worship of God and the discharge of duties within the church [19]. Prayer, a vital aspect of Christian life, is commanded and is to be offered to God through Christ [3]. These practices underscore the structured nature of Christian life and worship within the divine order.

Sources

  1. Ephesians “Ephesians 5:21 (Webster) — Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
  2. I John “I John 2:3 (BSB) — By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Church — Derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., "the Lord's house"), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament, both words meaning simply an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found. There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post-apostolic times it early received this meaning. Nor is this word ever us”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, the High Priest — Appointed and called by God -- Heb 3:1,2; 5:4,5. After the order of Melchizedek -- Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6; 6:20; 7:15,17. Superior to Aaron and the Levitical priests -- Heb 7:11,16,22; 8:1,2,6. Consecrated with an oath -- Heb 7:20,21. Has an unchangeable priesthood -- Heb 7:23,28. Is of unblemished purity -- Heb 7:26,28. Faithful -- Heb 3:2. Needed no sacrifice for himself -- Heb 7:27. Offered himself a sacrifice -- Heb 9:14,26. His sacrifice superior to all others -- Heb 9:13,14,23. Offered sacrifice but once -- Heb 7:27; 9:25,26. Made reconcili”
  7. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lords Supper — The words which thus describe the great central act of the worship of the Christian Church occur but in a single passage of the New Testament-- (1 Corinthians 11:20) + Its institution .--It was instituted on that night when Jesus and his disciples met together to eat the passover, (Matthew 26:19; Mark 14:16; Luke 22:13) (on Thursday evening, April 6, A.D. 30). It was probably instituted at the third cup (the cup of blessing) of the passover [see on [821]Passover], Jesus taking one of the unleavened cakes used at the feast and breaking it and giving it t”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Consecration — The devoting or setting apart of anything to the worship or service of God. The race of Abraham and the tribe of Levi were thus consecrated (Ex. 13:2, 12, 15; Num. 3:12). The Hebrews devoted their fields and cattle, and sometimes the spoils of war, to the Lord (Lev. 27:28, 29). According to the Mosaic law the first-born both of man and beast were consecrated to God. In the New Testament, Christians are regarded as consecrated to the Lord (1 Pet. 2:9).”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
  12. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
  13. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
  15. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
  16. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
  17. 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
  18. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:19: Submitting yourselves one to another,.... Which may be understood either in a political sense, of giving honour, obedience, and tribute, to civil magistrates, since they are set up by God for the good of men, and it is for the credit of religion for the saints to submit to them; or in an economical sense; thus the wife should be subject to the husband, children to their parents, and servants to their masters, which several things are afterwards insisted on, as explanative of this rule; or in an ecclesiastic sense, so the Ethiopic version renders it, "subject yourse”
  19. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS 12 The doctrines concerning predestination, justification, &c. being established, the duties of religion are built upon them, and enforced by them in this and the following chapters. The apostle first exhorts all the members of the church in common to a regard to the worship of God, in opposition to the things of the world; and then the officers of the church particularly, to the discharge of their duty; and next all of them, both officers and members, to the performance of various duties respecting God, themselves, one another, a”
  20. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 13:1: 13:1-2 The basic command of 13:1-7 is to submit to governing authorities. In God’s ordering of the world, we answer to those in positions of authority. Our submission to them will usually take the form of obedience. However, because God stands over all governments, our submission to governing authorities must always be in terms of our ultimate submission to God (see Acts 4:19-20). The Roman Christians might have been resisting government (see study note on Rom 13:6) based on a false understanding of the Good News, as if no longer copying “the behavior and customs ”
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