Authority in the Assembly

In a democracy the people choose who they want to rule over them. Authority in the assembly is not democratic. It doesn't come from the members of the body of Christ. Authority comes from the Lord. He delegates it. We dishonor His name when we seek to take away His authority or put it where it does not belong.
In Matt. 16 the Lord said, "I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." In Matt. 18, He put authority and responsibility in the collective hands of the builders in the house. He decreed that His authority would remain in the house and would be exercised with His sanction even by just two or three gathered unto His name with Himself in the midst.
In 1 Corinthians from chapter 1:1 to chapter 10:15, the view put before us is the assembly as the house of God. It is a holy place and those things not suitable to the One who dwells in that house are to be removed. There we submit to the Lord who is the supreme authority. In His name and by His power all is to be kept in an unleavened state, suitable to His table and presence.
Heb. 13:17 says, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account." This verse teaches that we are to obey living persons-the guides who know and can show us the way and walk with us in it. In verse 7 it says to remember those-persons now dead-who have spoken unto us the good Word. We are instructed, "Whose faith follow." We are to think about them and follow their faith.