The Christian & The Government

Definitions--

Govern--rule via authority; predominant influence

Government--ruling body/authoritative managers

Important Passages-

Matthew 22.16-21

Romans 13.1-7

I Timothy 2.1,2

Titus 3.1

I Peter 2.13,14,17

Luke 3.19

II Peter 2.9-12

God Rules!

Home

Church

Government

Woe—Psalm 9.17

4 Levels Of Government

Ordained by God

Self—II Peter 1.6

Family—Ephesians 5.23__6.1-4

Spiritual—

Old Testament:

Government itself was theocracy

New Testament: Philippians 1.1

Civil—Romans 13, etc

All Levels—

Must practice discipline & punishment—

Self—II Corinthians 13.5

Proverbs 25.28

Family—Proverbs 23.13,14

Church—congregational discipline,

I Corinthians 5, etc

Civil—Romans 13.4

Context of Romans 13…

Ch1-11=how we were justified by faith

Ch12-16=how to live as justified people

Always remember: God does not ordain nor approve of abuses by civil government

Proverbs 16.12

Summary Of The Text:Government is ordained by God—

Thus, it is morally correct

Government is designed to…

Encourage good behavior…

Punish bad behavior…

Government has the right to…

Bear sword & administer capital punishment

Government may tax citizens to support itself

Take Note—

Romans 12.19 forbids private vengeance…

Citizens are not to be vigilantes—

Proverbs 24.29

Therefore agents of the government [police, soldiers, etc] may use weapons to do their duty

Christians are to respect government & obey the law

A Christian & The Government—

Romans 13.1-7Some think there are 2 sets of rules from

God—

1 for the world & 1 for the Christian

Thus, they conclude the Christian cannot be involved in government

But, Government is a divine institution

Does not mean government will not abuse its role or its people

To resist is to set yourself against the government—God says don’t!

Romans 13.1-7

To change the government…

Go thru available process

Christianity can survive under any kind of government...

It survived under Rome which was hostile to it

Romans 13 authorizes capital punishment

If you defy government, your heart is not right with God

Pay your taxes

2 Reasons To Obey The Government—

Wrath…

From God & government

Conscience…

It always feels good to know you are doing what is right

[Josh’s Wednesday invitation lesson]

What About Taxes?

To pay tax is not having fellowship with error

Government will answer to God

Consider: a Christian is to the government…

As a Christian wife is to a non-Christian husband

She must be subject to him

We must be subject to the government

What About Taxes?

“Tribute” is an ongoing tax

Like annual income tax

“Custom” is a one-time tax

Like sales or import tax

Since government has the duty to protect its citizens…

Tribute pays for their living

What About Taxes?

Paul's language says taxes are a debt which we owe

They are a legal & moral obligation

Respect & Honor--

This is the word “fear”

Parents ought to teach their children to respect government authority and offices…

Though not necessarily the person who holds that office

I Peter 2.17

Yet, Luke 3.19

Is There EVER A Time…

That a Christian can RESIST/DISOBEY?

Yes! Israel—Exodus 1.16-20 & death of babies

Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah—Daniel 3 & the fiery furnace

Daniel—Daniel 6 & prayer to idols

Peter & John—Acts 4 & ceasing to preach…

Acts 5.29

Christians & Government Service—

Joseph over Egypt…

Daniel was “president”…

Eunuch over Candace’s treasury…

Cornelius as centurion…

Erastus as city treasurer [Romans 16.23]

What did John the baptizer tell Roman soldiers [Luke 3.14]?

Syllogism:

All institutions that are ordained by God are morally correct…

The Government is an institution ordained by God…

Therefore, the government is morally correct

Furthermore…All morally correct institutions may be

participated in by Christians…The government is a morally correct

institution…Therefore, Christians May participate in

government For myself: II Timothy 2.4Opinion: preachers should not be in

government because it divides their labors & they may not be efficient in either

Sum:Government is ordained by God…

They have work to do…

They must enforce law & justice…

They must protect innocent & execute life-takers…

They are not perfect and will err…

Some governments will not heed what God says…

THERE IS NO DOUBLE STANDARD!

God does not have one rule for the Christian & a different rule for the non-Christian

It is not the case that non-Christians can be soldiers, police, etc…

But that Christians may not be

Remember Romans 12.19—

But God does this thru the agency/men:

Government, soldiers, police, courts, etc.

Finally:How shall we obey the government?

Be subject, give respect, pay taxes

2 Views/government—

Some think the government is savior and our all in all…

This was the pagan view of Roman government

For the Christian: government is in power by God's authority, and realizes it may not take heed to God