We need to exercise particular care to have a balanced understanding of the Bible’s teaching on authority. On the one hand, the Lord Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). On the other hand, in His Body He raises up men to work together with Him among the churches, and He places men as overseers in the local churches to shepherd His flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2). Though he does not cede any of His authority to them, they do express and represent His authority in the church universally and in the local churches respectively. This is what is meant by the term delegated authority. This does not mean that anyone has authority in himself. If any brother appropriates the Lord’s authority to himself personally, he is essentially making the error of Diotrephes (3 John 9). The following article by Shepherding Words puts forth a balanced and biblical view concerning God’s deputy authorities.