Scriptural Reference:
"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your
souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and
not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Hebrews 13:17

"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labour among you and are over
you in the Lord and admonish you"
1 Thessalonians 5:12

"And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer
and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed."
Acts 14:23

"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially
those who labour in preaching and teaching."
1 Timothy 5:17

"Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord."
Jeremiah 23:11-12

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are
prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their
own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those who despise
me, ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’ And to all who follow the stubbornness
of their hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’"
Jeremiah 23:16-17

Reflection:
Perhaps this article could be conceived as one of the more controversial as it can be difficult for some worldly believers to accept that the church as an organisation can have such sweeping authority. Yet it's important understand that the church has authority as established by the Bible itself which establishes the authority of the church to establish Rites and Ceremonies and to settle disputes about Faith. However, it can't create anything that goes against the written Word of God, nor can it interpret one part of Scripture in a way that contradicts another part. So, while the Church serves as a witness and guardian of the Holy Scriptures, it shouldn't declare anything that contradicts them, nor should it insist that anything outside of them is essential for Salvation.

Historic reflection can give us some insights into how this article has come to be framed in the way we now read it. For the story behind this Article is quite well-known, mainly because of the debate over its opening line: "The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies, and authority in controversies of faith." The version from 1552 (which was the XXIst Article) didn't include that line. Plus, the initial draft of the Articles during Elizabeth's time (in 1562) also left it out. These Articles were approved by both houses of convocation, and the original signed document is now kept in the library at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. However, this document never had official authority since it didn't get the crown's approval.

While the questions about this article have been seen as significant, it's clear that the part about rites and ceremonies is clearly laid out in Article XXXIV. Additionally, the section dealing with faith controversies is essentially included in the latter part of this Article. So what did the founding fathers of the articles wrote about this? The early Church leaders definitely emphasised that people should respect and follow the authority of the Church. Irenæus pointed out, "Where the Church is, there is the Spirit of God... and the Spirit is truth." Tertullian added, "Any teaching that contradicts the truth shared by the Churches, the Apostles, Christ, and God should be considered false." St. Cyril mentioned, "The Church is called apostolic because it teaches all necessary doctrines universally and without missing anything." There are plenty more quotes that could support this well-established idea if anyone needed more proof.

On reflecting on the article as it is written we find it includes three positive statements and two negative or limiting ones. All of which are important as combined.

• The Church serves as a guardian and observer of the Scriptures.
• The Church has the ability to establish rituals and ceremonies.
• The Church holds the power to resolve disputes regarding faith.

The Church serves as a guardian and observer of the Scriptures. In this capacity the church keeps track of how the scriptures are being taught. Including as well as ensures that teachings stay to the true meaning and understanding of the Holy Bible. And there by protecting the church from any changes that may be forced by means of social attitudes and worldly desires. It's the churches core purpose to adhere to, teach and promote exactly what the Bible teaches through the catholic faith.

The church has the ability to establish rituals and ceremonies. Although this may sound like an option for the church to begin to develop new ceremonies to meet cultural expectations and mores; it is limited by the very Bible the church is founded on. So that any 'new' ceremony cannot in any way contradict what the Bible has written as acceptable. As an expression or explanation to this; if there were a move to make a new ceremony that recognised same sex marriage it would not be acceptable. As the Bible clearly states such a union is not fit or acceptable in the sight of God.

The church holds the power (authority) to resolve disputes regarding faith. At both a local level and a global level it's the churches function to step in and correct false doctrine. The church is called to give advice on matters of inherency as well as matters of worship. Without this facility parishioners would be susceptible to a range of scriptural misdirection: as it was in the early days of Christianity. Where we read in the book of Acts how there were some travelling around and teaching contrary to the gospel.

What of those who have been ordained or commissioned to lead congregations; as well as to minister to the needs of Christians? We can read that a range of measures have been put into place to ensure, or at least try and insure, that Ministers, Priests, Pastors et al are made aware of their calling and the need to not err from the word of God. While in the Bible (Jeremiah 23:11-12) we can read the heavy punishment that will be meted out by God to those who misuse their position. Or those who teach any doctrine or theology that is not in line with the Bibles' teachings. God does not have tolerance for them. Their place is set aside in Hell when the time comes for them to be judged and rightly punished. So essentially our leaders need to be sober, single minded, and dedicated to teaching only the truth that is within the pages of the Bible.

What of us, the flock or congregation, what is our part that we are to play in the greater scheme of things? We are called to show respect for our leaders within the church. We should seek ways to support their calling and their ministry. In many ways we should also seek to emulate their character and leadership as our role models. As they themselves live lives of altruistic love and care for us as Christ showed the church. We too should seek ways to show this same love and care towards them as well as towards each other.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Creator divine,

I pray to follow the Bible,
I pray to live for Christ alone,
I pray to respect the church.

May my days be filled,
With searching the scriptures,
With Obeying the church leadership,
With living true to your word.

I pray these things,
In your Sons' Holy Name,
Jesus the Christ.

Amen