The early Christian communities were guided by spiritual leaders appointed to oversee and care for the flock. As seen in Acts 14:23, the apostles established elders in each church, while Acts 20:28 emphasizes the importance of these leaders' role in protecting the church from false teaching. The Bible also teaches that believers are to submit to governing authorities, as instructed in Romans 13:1, and to prioritize obedience to God's commands, as demonstrated by the apostles in Acts 5:29. Ultimately, God is the supreme ruler, as declared in Psalms 22:28, and His people are to submit to His sovereignty in all aspects of life, including the governance of the church.
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Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.