The Authority of a Missionary Comes from the Church, Not the Pastor Alone
1. Biblical Authority Is Corporate, Not Individual
In Scripture, authority for ministry is never self-assumed nor personally delegated by one leader alone. Rather, it is recognized, affirmed, and sent by the local church as a body.
The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), and Christ entrusted His mission to the assembled body, not to isolated individuals.
1 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
A pastor is an office within the church, not above it. Therefore, authority flows through the church, not independently from a pastor.
2. Missionaries in the New Testament Were Sent by the Church
The clearest missionary commissioning passage is Acts 13, where Paul and Barnabas were not sent by a pastor, apostle, or individual leader—but by the local church at Antioch.
Acts 13:1–3 (KJV)
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon…
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
The Holy Ghost called them
The church confirmed them
The church sent them
The laying on of hands was not pastoral dominance—it was corporate authorization.
3. Pastors Are Servants of the Church, Not Sources of Authority
Pastors (elders) are shepherds among the flock, not sovereign rulers over it. They lead within the church, not above it.
1 Peter 5:2–3 (KJV)
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof…
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
Since pastors are not lords, they cannot be the ultimate source of missionary authority. Their role is to guide and participate in the church’s decision—not to replace it.
4. Church Authority Is Seen in Sending, Supporting, and Reporting
Missionaries in Scripture were:
Sent by the church
Supported by the church
Accountable to the church
Paul and Barnabas returned to the church that sent them and gave a report—not to a single pastor.
Acts 14:26–27 (KJV)
“And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them…”
This shows that:
Authority began with the church
Accountability returned to the church
5. The Great Commission Was Given to the Church
The Great Commission was not given to pastors alone, but to the assembled disciples, representing the church universal.
Matthew 28:19–20 (KJV)
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”
Missionaries go as representatives of the church, not as extensions of a single pastor’s authority.
6. Biblical Pattern: God Calls, Church Sends
A proper biblical order is:
God calls the missionary (Romans 10:15)
The church confirms the calling (Acts 13:2–3)
The church sends with authority (Acts 15:40)
Romans 10:15 (KJV)
“And how shall they preach, except they be sent?”
Being “sent” in Scripture always implies authorized sending, which is consistently done by the church body, not an individual.
Clear Biblical Conclusion
God is the source of the call
The church is the source of authority
Pastors are facilitators, not originators
A missionary does not derive authority from a pastor, but from the local church acting under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
When a missionary stands on the field, he stands not as a pastor’s delegate, but as a church-sent ambassador of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV)
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…”
0 Comments