(“THE KEY TO PEACE AND HAPPINESS”)
(Reviewed by Ed Burch and George Anderson Jr.)
The following are some quotes from a 4 tape (Audio)
series called the “Doctrine of
Submission”, promoted and taught by Greg Estep, former pastor of
Shortly thereafter Mr. Estep
makes a statement about belief:
“We must take Him and use
Him before He affects salvation in your life.” John 1:12, But as many as received
him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name: 13,
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of
man, but of God.
Estep also claims that: “almost all Christians fit into one of 3
categories”, which he believes matches King Saul, King David or Absalom.
In talking about King Saul he states that “Saul was called - called but not perfectly
obedient.”
In stating that: “Saul was called - called but not perfectly
obedient.” Mr.
Estep also talks about “the ministry of
Saul”.
Estep claims with absolute certainty:
“Authority is the absolute issue in this
life. God has placed in our lives authorities . . . He has given these authorities certain powers
. . . God blesses or curses an individual in respect to those authorities.” He then goes on to say that: “If you’re not in subjection to these
authorities you will fail.”
In order to justify his three
“classifications” of Christians matching Saul, David and Absalom, Estep claims
that: “there’s a difference in
rebelling against the law of God like David, and rebelling against the authority
of God like Saul.” Proverbs
He continues: “The Pharisees were guilty of overthrowing
the authority of God! They had taken over!! And there was NO Forgiveness!” Luke
After listening to a few more
statements we conclude that Estep truly believes that if a Christian “quits” or “fails” it’s always because he’s not in subjection to
the “authorities that God has placed over
him.” He then goes on to quote Romans 13 and proceeds to comment: “Every man who fails to submit himself to
the authority of God within himself, the inherent authority, the
authority of his pastor, or
the secular authorities he begins to allow cracks and divisions and flaws to
enter in to his personal life. Romans
13 requires 100% subjection to all higher
powers.” Mr.
Estep goes on: “The authority of this
pulpit was given by God! What are you to be in subjection to? The man or the power?” [Matthew
20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 22:25-30; 1 Corinthians 3:1-7; 1
Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 1:24;
1 John 2:26-27; 3 John 1:9-11; James 3:1; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 4:8-11]
Estep
recounts the events after Paul’s conversion according to his own Paraphrase: “Going down to an insignificant saint like Ananias and subjecting himself to the authority of that man. Who was
Ananias? He was a peon man, a nobody!
And Paul had been a somebody! He just had a somebody experience on the road to
Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet
breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the
disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if
he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them
bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he
journeyed, he came near
Estep
continues: “Paul
subjected himself to the authority of Ananias”.
Estep then yells:
“Authority! Authority! Authority”! Estep goes on to state: “Resist the man your resisting the power”!
He then
goes on and compares a wife’s rebellion to her husband as rebellion against God
and then jumps to: “Men when you are rebelling
against your pastor, your not rebelling against your pastor, your rebelling
against God! If God put him in there you let Him take him out!” Estep then talks about “God’s anointed” and Mafia Christians – God’s hit man.”
Estep
states: “You can bring your body under
the wrath of God”. : 1 Thessolonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should
live together with him. He continues . . . “If you tell me that you fear God and are not in subjection to your
pastor you’re a liar!
We should be worried about God and the authorities that God has placed over
us”. 3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the
church: but Diotrephes,
who loveth to have the preeminence
among them, receiveth us not. 10
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against
us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself
receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would,
and casteth them out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He
that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
The tape
begins in the middle of a dissertation– Estep is saying: “That is worship, you see that’s total
subjection, putting yourself under the authority of another. . . . The Bible
says worship Him in the beauty of Holiness. Now I don’t believe that
means in the beauty of His Holiness, because it doesn’t say that. I believe the
only way you can worship Him is in your
holiness.”
1 Chronicles
Psalms 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his
name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
2 Chronicles 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he
appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty
of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say,
Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Estep
then misquotes 1Peter
Estep
continues after misquoting
1Peter
Estep
then makes several statements: “Paul may have reached that mark, but he never knew
it. If you ever do get sanctified you’ll never know it. That’s the mystery of
sanctification. Holiness and sanctification is total subjection to whatever authority is placed over
you.”
Estep goes on: “Let me
show you that this is a viable - this is a true doctrine.” He then cites 1 Timothy 6:1-2 (1Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as
are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name
of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they
are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and
beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.)
Estep
states: “Did
you ever despise the preacher because he has more authority than you? Wives,
did you ever just kind of despise your husband because God gave him that
authority and didn’t give it to you? . . . God’s
just checking oil!” 1Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not
to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which is according to godliness; 4
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil
surmisings,
Estep
stops at verse 4 at the word proud and says: “Only by pride cometh contention. When you are
contentious with any authority – God’s authority, Bible authority, pastoral authority, home
authority, personal authority – Pride, its pride. He then comments
on doting and goes on to say: If you question
what a pastor says or teaches you’re proud and know nothing. Doting,
just critical, I don’t know about that, I’m subjective, I thought this thing
through – that’s your problem.” Acts
Estep
continues: “Look,
look, look, look. It doesn’t matter who you are or
where you are, somebody is over you and somebody is under you.
Don’t get all bent out because you know, because your not the big cheese. I
mean uh what, you’ve got enough authority. You probably have enough to give
account for. If you go one step up the ladder . . . . . People rebel against
authority. But you just remember that God has placed somebody in that authority
and God has given that authority, and you’re
to be in subjection to that authority and you just thank God you don’t have the
responsibility that that authority has.” Revelation 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the
deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Revelation
Estep
states: “When Jesus Christ gave the
example of submission and when He washed the apostles feet, He told them - He
said: Happy are you if you know these things and do them!– DO WHAT? Be absolutely, totally in subjection! There He put Himself in subjection to the ones who were in subjection to Him!”
John 13: 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his
garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done
to you? 13 Ye call me Master and
Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash
one another’s feet. 15 For I have
given you an example, that ye
should do as I
have done to you. 16
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not
greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are
ye if ye do them.
Estep continues:
“A pastor, yes, he has authority over the church, but he’s also to be in
subjection to the church. “Some of
you are miserable in this life, you’re enduring your Christianity, and I’m telling
you why – you are not in line with the authorities that are over you and you can not
be happy going against the Holy Ghost of God. The Holy Ghost of God is leading
you to subject, subject, subject, subject, SUBJECT!
And when you don’t subject you actually grieve the Spirit. You quench the
Spirit. You (?????) the Spirit. you
can not be happy going against the Holy Ghost of God when you
don’t subject, you actually grieve the Spirit. You quench the Spirit. You (?????) the Spirit.”
Estep
continues: “Let me give you the reasons
for Biblical submission. This is an Old Testament Principle
that is equally as valid in the New Testament. Principals
are always Principals. This is the principal: You submit just to stay alive. I
mean listen, one of the base motives is self-preservation okay? If you want to
self-preserve you have to learn to obey the authorities that God places over
you. What is the promise, oh, wha, a, wha, don’t we get, oh we make all our children memorize Ephesians 6:1-2?
Oh, children obey your parents for this is right, for this is the first
commandment with promise.”
Estep
continues: “Yes it is true that if a
child obeys, God gives him life. If a child obeys who?
The authorities that’s over him. Do you think,
do you think that God doesn’t apply that same principle to
the child of God and to the authorities that are over him? “You want to live
long on this earth? Look at Romans 8:13, did you ever wonder why will you say . . .
well I just didn’t realize that all these principles were working? Oh yes, sure
are, sure are. Did you ever, did
you ever consider why a child dies? Very simple – ‘children obey your parents
in the Lord for this is the first commandment with promise’. You go back to
Genesis, oh Exodus Chapter 20 that you may live long on earth. You say I just
don’t understand, this boy, this young boy gets killed in an automobile
accident. This boy gets murdered, and all this kind of stuff happens? Children
obey your parents. It is a principle of life. God establishes the principle –
the unsaved and the saved are under the principles of the Law. You don’t do
away with the Law when you get saved.”
Mr. Estep continues: “Do
you want to know why Pete Maravich died at the age of 40? I’ll tell you
why . . . . HE WALKED IN THE FLESH! He then states: that’s more proof that he was a Christian!”
After 2 false starts Estep goes on to say: “Do you mean
that God will kill me for disobeying
my pastor? Did you ever read
the story of Dathan and Abiram? . . . . Miriam? HEY! 1st
Kings.
Young preacher . .
. Hey Christian. . . . You get in the ministry, God ain’t
gonna give you a chance to make many mistakes. You
got too much authority, you got too much responsibility. You better start submitting
to the authority, and remember the responsibility
you have because God ain’t going to fool with you long!”
He then says something (Can’t discern on tape) about: “getting by with 1 or 2 but Don Green told
me “4 big mistakes then PHTT!”
Estep continues: “I believe
Analogy: Mothers to children; husbands to wives and
children; pastors to their flock. “How
can you ask those people to subject themselves to you, when you won’t subject
yourselves to the authority put over you? Oh Yah, you can make them do it, but
down in their heart they’re saying: one of these days I’m getting out of this
place. And a lot of husbands do that. Oh they want their wives in subjection,
but not to the preacher, not to the Book, not to the secular authority. How about that?”
END OF SIDE 2 -
TAPE ONE
TAPE
TWO - SIDE 1
Early on in the second tape Estep
states: “Holiness is a work of worship.”
He then goes on to espouse a pacifist viewpoint.
And then makes the statement: “The basic unit of
a country is the individual.” Estep continues: “A
church had a great ministry, and on the radio, reaching people, and bus
ministries. All of a sudden . . . pssew! Crash! And there
is really a lack of submission” . . .
Mr. Estep continues: “A man said: Before a man can
subject himself to God’s delegated authority, like the secular rulers,
political rulers, and God does establish these powers. We read in Romans
Chapter 13 . . . the powers that be are ordained of God. He said: Before
a man can subject himself to God’s delegated authority, such as the secular
ruler, or a pastor, (1 Timothy 6:3-5) or the husband of a home or in the case of the mother where the
children subjecting themselves to her authority. That person must first meet
God’s inherent authority that’s within.”
Estep continues on: “Just
like what brother Browning was talking about: If you, if you, if you’ll look!” “You’re
saved. I mean you’re sealed. Thank God you’re going to heaven. Hallelujah for
that . . . but, that doesn’t guarantee
success in this life.” 2
Peter 2:7. “These are just circumstances”
“There’s a
difference between chastening in love and chastening in anger. And a child
knows the difference. When you chasten that child in anger, you haven’t done
him a bit of good . . . But you haven’t
helped him. You have to understand that the problem is just you. The problem is
me. The problem doesn’t reside in anybody else. Where you start is where you
end.”
Estep quotes the Apostle Paul - “Do you know what
he told the slaves? Obey your masters!”
Estep goes on: “The
first thing that a Christian has to come to grips with is self rule. . . . .
It doesn’t matter
to brother Browning or any of these men what you call it. You can call it
anything you want it doesn’t matter what you name the baby, have the baby, and enjoy the
baby. Call him Malahas Shalabas!”
Estep sites James Chapter 4 and then goes into another
ramble: . . . . “And you forgive me, for
some, for some reason today there is just ah, there’s just not the liberty
here today that there was yesterday. I don’t all that all the time, but I’ll do
the best I can. OK? You all just pray for me. Yesterday there was just great
liberty. Today is just not that way.”
He then sites Matthew 4:1 and states: “The Scripture knew the
Scripture. He said you are clean through the Word which I have preached
unto ya. You sit and let men preach to ya. You sit and let men teach to ya.”
Estep then sites 1 Peter 5:8 “But to check you out, if you’ve been a rebel
and if you’ve been a problem to God, I guarantee you God will put you where you won’t want to go. He’ll put
you under somebody you
don’t like, just to see if you’ll obey. Can you submit to
that? Can you submit to God really working you over? Do you know why some of
your wives have a hard time submitting themselves to you personally? Because
they know you’re not walking in the Holy Spirit! I, I’m, I’m not giving them an
excuse to rebel, I’m just saying it’s hard for them.”
Estep continues: “I
really appreciate what Jesus Christ did for me brother. When He went to
END OF SIDE 1 - TAPE TWO
TAPE
2 - SIDE TWO
Soon after beginning Tape 2 side 2 Estep states: “God
said be submissive. Just submit by faith.”
Estep makes some comments and states that he is “going to finish up on self rule” and sites Proverbs
Mr. Estep then states: “If
you can’t run the family you’ll never run the church. And if you can’t run yourself you’ll never run
the family.” 1Timothy 3:5 For if a man know
not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care
of the
Estep then goes on to comment on
parent and child and husband and wife relationships and makes the following
assertions: “Children that are
disobedient to their parents are disobedient to God. Their problem is
with God. Wives that are disobedient to their husbands just haven’t submitted
to God. Husbands that, husbands that are not – Hey! Husbands that are not in subjection to the pastor that God’s given them,
can you imagine a man, can you imagine a man trying to get his family to follow
him when he’s all the time griping about the preacher?”
Estep continues
in the same vein: “Oh come on man, that doesn’t, that doesn’t line up! That doesn’t
line up! Your kid says: why should I obey him, he isn’t obeying Him!” 1Corinthians
Mr. Estep goes on: “I mean the private says why should I obey the sergeant, the sergeant doesn’t do what the
lieutenant says. Ain’t that, ain’t
that the way it goes. I’m trying to show you how to, how to, have folks follow you and enjoy it.”
Mr. Estep goes on to site 1 Corinthians Chapter 11 and then states: “But first of all everybody is in a position
of authority to some degree.” “She never had to say anything. She, She
submitted to delegated authority. But she called out to absolute
authority! And she said “deliver me”.
Estep continues on: “If your pastor goes in the wrong direction
then don’t, then
don’t, jump on him. Just go to the Lord and say: Now Lord you led me to this
church, and you, and I’m going to follow
that man, and if that rascal takes us down to the Red Sea and we all
drown I’m going to walk right behind
him!”
There follows a question from
someone in the audience which is not clear on the tape. Estep then proceeds to
answer the question: “You’re not to
by-pass the delegated authority just because you think you have the right. Now
I realize that there are exceptions
to the, the, the rule. But you better, boy, except, do you really feel like you’re an exception? I don’t know about you, but I
don’t think that I, I’m big enough on the scale yet
to ever feel like I would be an exception to the rule. Do you
understand what I’m saying?” Estep stutters once more and continues: “I, every time you and I disobey God we always think that we are
the exception. There are very, very few
exceptions in the Bible to the rule.”
About here the Tape is confusing
– Is this a different time or lesson? “My,
my, my, point is this. Bro, bro, bro, Brother Browning: Am I right? Wasn’t
Pentecost the only feast where leaven was in the, in that particular feast? All
the rest of the feasts were unleavened bread, whatever kind of bread they had?
– Yeah. Pentecost was the only one where leaven was allowed. Isn’t that
interesting? And yet Pentecost is when the Church started. Pentecost
back there pictures the church, the church age. There is leaven in the Church!” 1Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth
the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven,
that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither
with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of
sincerity and truth.
Estep continues: “Hey husband, why do you expect your wife to
be perfect? She’s a picture of the Church. But who is a picture of Christ? That’s what it
says, isn’t it brother? I like what brother Browning says: I, I, I, All of
these commentaries, I don’t know about them, but that’s just real plain isn’t
it? Do you know what? I might be a
traitor to manhood today, but I won’t be a traitor to God. It’s the truth isn’t it? It’s what it says, isn’t it? Do you know eh?”
Mr. Estep goes on in the same
vein: “Do you know how to perfect your
wife? You just be what you’re supposed to be. See, again, we’re trying
to get everybody to do what they’re
supposed to do,
when we ain’t even started. We’re trying to get
people to lead in our, follow us, in our churches, when we haven’t even, we can’t, we, we, don’t
even control our family, because we don’t even control our personal life.”
Estep continues on: “We are not like Christ! We, well again I go
back to what was, is the greatest to us what’s the
greatest attribute of Christ – Grace! We are in the age of Grace! Are you
gracious to your wife! Do you give her things she doesn’t deserve?”
Estep continues his remarks: “Hey, do you realize, look, do you realize the
nature of God as is compared with the nature of us? How, how absolute opposite
and contrary those 2 natures are? And yet He came down and took upon that nature and died for us, that we might have a nature like
Him.” Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Mr. Estep gives men some
“advice”: “OK, I realize men, why the
world would a woman want a bunch of, you know, just a bunch of things that are
going to die within 2 days. It doesn’t, it doesn’t make a bit of sense to me,
it doesn’t make, but if that’s what she needs, are you gracious? Can you submit
yourself to her enough to do something for that she needs? “When
the righteous bear rule the people what – Rejoice.” Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous
are in authority, the people
rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. “Oh when you do
something like that she just, she just might turn to you and say: is there
anything I can do for you?” I, I don’t ever
want to get in that position where there’s no sugar. Amen? Amen! Amen!”
Estep continues: “Am I talking where you live? Alright, by love’s emotion was, was there
anything deserving about us that Christ should love us? Why do you expect your
wife then to do something deserving before you love her?” (1Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection
to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the
word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that
outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on
of apparel; 4 But let it be the
hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of
a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great
price. 5 For after this manner in
the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being
in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose
daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any
amazement.) “And what is the fruit of, what
is the result of love? ‘For God so loved, He gave’, He did what? He didn’t take
a thing did He? In fact He doesn’t want your works does He? Your works are
abominable. We’re His workmanship created in Christ Jesus. Well that puts a
different perspective on the family doesn’t it?” Ah, I want to help, I really
do.”
At this point on the tape the lesson
gets confusing. We are not sure if a part of the lesson may not have been recorded, however Estep continues:
“By permission. For protection. By loves emotion. Oh, by future
consideration. We have to be faithful in that which is least.”
Estep then states: “And then verses 4 and 5, two whole verses
on the man’s home. And he only actually spends 6 or 7 verses on the entire
qualifications of a pastor and very
little of it depends on you personally.” (1Timothy 3:1 This
is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband
of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour,
given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not
given to wine, no
striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
but patient, not a brawler,
not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his
own house, having his children in subjection with all
gravity; 5 (For if a man
know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church
of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted
up with pride he fall into
the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good
report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach
and the snare of the devil.)
Estep continues on with his
‘private interpretation’: “What, you know, you know how God really tells, how He really reads
your personal life? He just looks at the, your family. He knows the
condition you’re in: ‘When the righteous bear
rule the people rejoice’”. Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous
are in authority, the people
rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Jeremiah
Estep then alludes to the Lord
Jesus Christ always doing what’s best for us: “Do you know why
sir, it’d be so much easier for this lady to submit to
your authority if she knew 100%
that what you did was for her good? For her good, oh it’s easy to submit to
authority like that.” 1Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own
husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won
by the conversation of the wives; 2
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that
outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on
of apparel; 4 But let it be the
hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of
a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great
price. 5 For after this manner in
the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being
in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose
daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Estep concludes
tape 2 side 2 with these remarks: “Do, I mean is it true in your home that all things work together
for your wife’s good? Your children’s’ good? Is it
that the way you’re working in your home? But the husband’s as Christ. He’s
working everything for our good. Amen? Do you know why he does all that? So
we’ll love Him.” 1John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of
him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship
with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is
in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from
all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
END OF SIDE 2 – TAPE 2