"CHURCH OF CHRIST" OR "CHURCH OF MAN !" (Continued)

       A while ago I posted a blog entry regarding how to recognize the true Christian Church that was established in the first century AD by the Lord Jesus Christ. While I thought about that blog entry, a question came to mind. When you become a Christian, are you subject to anyone? If you join a "church", are you subject to anyone? If you are, in fact, subject to anyone, who are you subject to and to what extent are you subject to them?
   The New Testament teaches that Jesus is alive and that He is the Head of His church. The Gospels tell us that Jesus was crucified by the Romans at the behest of the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus died and was buried in a borrowed tomb. Three days later Jesus rose from the dead according to those same Scriptures. 
   Jesus was seen by many people over the next forty days. Then, at the appointed time, Jesus ascended into Heaven.
   The fascinating thing about all this is that no where in the New Testament does Jesus say to anyone...

"I am going away for awhile. Until I return, you're in charge."

...It was understood by the writers of the New Testament at the time of their writing that Jesus was alive AND that He was at the head of His Church.

"And He (God) put all things in subjection under His (Christ) feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all."  (Ephesians 1:22,23) 

...This verse tells us that God placed Jesus as head over everything, the church included.

"...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." (Ephesians 4:15)

...Paul describes various gifts members of the church were given (V.11-13) but in verse 15 he repeats that Jesus is the head and we are the body. (See also Colossians 1:18; 2:18,19)
   It is clear that Jesus is the head of His church and that we are the body, His members.
   So what does this mean for the 21st Century church? Is Christ still the head of His church today? The unequivocal answer is "Yes!" 
    So this being true, who are these other so-called Christian leaders who you see on the television or hear on the radio and from where do they derive their authority? Think about it!