15 Bible Verses about Apostles, Authority In Church

these things therefore I write to you being absent, that when I come I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.

for though I should more than ever magnify my authority, which the Lord hath given us for your improvement, and not for your ruin, I should have no reason to be ashamed;

for there was no poor among them, because as many as bad lands or houses, sold them, and brought the value, which they laid down at the apostles feet: and they distributed it to every man as his occasions required.

the twelve therefore assembled all the disciples, and said, it is not fit that we should leave the word of God, to mind what relates to your meals. wherefore, brethren, chuse out of your number seven persons of good reputation, full of the holy spirit and wisdom, who may have the management of this affair: whilst we shall continue our applications to prayer, and to preaching.read more.
this proposition pleased the whole assembly: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the holy spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch. these they presented to the apostles: who after prayer gave them imposition of hands.

as they pass'd through the cities, they recommended it to the faithful to observe the decisions, made by the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem.

for you know the precepts we gave you in the name of the Lord Jesus.

I certify to you, brethren, that the gospel, which has been preached by me, is not the result of human artifice: for I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

we preach the gospel just as God thought fit to intrust it with us, not being studious to please men, but God, who approves our sincerity.

he therefore that violates these precepts, does not despise man, but God, who has endued me with his holy spirit.

and after they had by prayers and fastings establish'd Pastors for them in every church, they recommended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

upon which Peter said, Ananias, how could satan inspire thine heart to lye to the holy ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? was not the estate your own estate? and was not the price for which it was sold, all in your own hands? how came such a design as this in your heart? thou hast not lyed unto men, but unto God.

as for me, though I am absent in person, yet being present by my authority, with regard to him that has committed this fact, I am come to the same resolution, as if I was present, that is, when you are assembled, and I virtually there, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver him up to satan, to suffer corporal punishment, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.

we never courted you nor any others, from an affectation of human applause. instead of making our apostolical character any ways expensive to you, as we might;

for you remember, my brethren, our labour and toil: how we worked day and night, that in preaching the gospel of God, we might not be chargeable to any of you.

If I have degraded myself for your advantage by preaching the holy gospel to you gratis, is that such a trespass? by taking wages of other churches, I may have injured them, to do you service. when I was present among you, and in want, I was chargeable to no man: for the brethren which came from Macedonia, supplied my necessities: and as I have, so I always shall keep myself from being burdensome to you.