In Defense of Authority and Leadership

External and outward appearances can be misconstrued, misrepresented, and presented in such a way as to raise doubt or accusations against someone's authority. Such was the situation faced by the apostle Paul despite having been divinely appointed as an apostle by God with God-given authority and leadership was being criticized by false teachers. When actual ministry cannot be legitimately criticized, criticism is often levied against the person, their personality, and preferences. The false teachers attacking Paul had no objective standard for evaluating their lives and their teaching so they commended themselves and one another while finding fault with Paul whose standard was the Word of God. Conflicts in the church came down to the issue of authority and leadership and the source by which they had been appointed. Ultimately behind the conflicts is the devil and his influence through those who are false converts trying to spread their influence in the church and his scheme continues through the professing church to this day.