Christians should be submissive to spiritual authority in the church, as well as show respect and honor them.
"And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves" (1 Thess. 5:12-13 NKJ).
The Bible doesn't teach blind obedience to any spiritual authority, nor does it state that a spiritual authority should control a Christian's life. Notice what Hebrews says:
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.The word "obey" is a descriptive word. It is translated from the Greek word "peitho." Greek scholars state that this word means, "obedience that comes as a result of trust and is not obedience to the vessel, but because of persuasion of the Scriptures given by the vessel."
(Heb. 13:17 NKJ)
The Bible is not instructing the Christian to blindly obey the man or woman of God. The man or woman of God must teach the Word of God and convince Christians of what God has said.
As a result, the Christian obeys the Word of God that the vessel has preached or taught. God hasn't placed men and women over other Christians to control them, but to watch over them and protect them.
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