Who's in charge?

Who's in charge of the church?

The Bible is very plain in its answer to this query. The Head of the church is Jesus. He has no equal. He is above all. He has authority over every believer on planet Earth. He is in charge of every local gathering of saints.

Listen to God's word. Toward the beginning of Paul's letter to the church in Colosse Jesus is described in this way.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 2:15-20, NIV)

Any doubt who reigns supreme? It’s Jesus. And he's head not only in the church. He rules the universe!

Paul wrote similar words about our Savior in Ephesians.

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment - to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." (Ephesians 1:7-10, NIV)

Jesus is described as "...far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." (Ephesians 1:21-23, NIV)

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:11-16, NIV)

Again I ask: Is there any doubt as to who's in charge? Jesus is the Head of the church and her Savior, the one who redeemed her through his blood, buying forgiveness for sin. He is Ruler of all things, above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given. No pastor, priest, pope or prophet is over the church. No clerk, chairman or committee member rules the roost. No trustee, tither or teacher is head of the body. No giver, greeter or globe-trotting missionary reigns in the kingdom.

Jesus alone is in charge. Those who tell you anything different are either sadly deceived or supremely arrogant. The church is not a multi-headed monstrosity. It is a single-headed body. It is Christ's body over which he is Head.

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