In 1 Samuel 8:1-3, we discover that the godly Samuel's two sons did not follow in their father's footsteps. Heredity is not a good criterion for determining a good leader.
God informs Samuel that Israel's demand for a king was their rejection of Him as their king (1 Samuel 8:7-9, 19-20).
God commanded Samuel to warn the people of what a king would do. He would have a standing army to enforce his will, and he would draft their sons to carry out his decisions (1 Samuel 8:11-12). Their daughters would be seized to work for him (1 Samuel 8:13). He would take their best property for his own and give it to his cronies, he would tax them, and they would become his slaves (1 Samuel 8:14-17).
If we survey this history of Israel from the time of Joshua, we discover that God himself was their King, and he ruled through their elders and judges, whom He Himself raised up as needed. This aristocracy was not hereditary; it was God's raising up leaders and providing the military strength to defend the nation ad hoc. Israel's government was a loose confederacy, not centralized.
This kind of government is reflected in the New Testament, where every local congregation had at least two bishops (i.e. elders, shepherds, or pastors, and where the people elected their own leaders (Acts 6:5; Acts 14:23; Titus 1:3, 5; Philippians 1:1).
The Lord Jesus proclaimed the radical equality of his followers and taught them to eschew a hierarchy of superiors, because they are all brothers. (Matthew 24:8-12) The priesthood of the believer is foundational to good government. Thus the people elect their equals, who in turn do exercise authority over the church (Galatians 2:11-14; 1 Peter 5:1-3).
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After serving Grace Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, Bob was honorably retired on Sunday, September 27, 2015, and given the title "Pastor Emeritus." This was forty years to the day after he became their pastor.
He now works for the Presbytery of the Gulf South as...
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