OVERVIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN POSITION ON CIVIL AUTHORITY & NON-RESISTANCE
By Dennis Schmidt 12/2006
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This paper discusses the Christian's position to civil authority and
non-resistance. All scriptures are from
the King James' version Bible.
INDUCTIVE
COMMENTS:
THEME: The Christian is to be obedient as God's
example to man.
PURPOSE: God's word requires the Christian to submit to the civil authority except where it conflicts with God's higher calling. This higher calling can include God directing the Christian into some ministry against the civil authority or requiring the Christian to sin.
KEY VERSE:
WHO: God written mostly by Bible authors Matthew, Luke, John, and Paul.
TO WHOM: Elected Christians
WHAT: Jesus is the Christian’s example to follow. There are many righteous causes in the world, but God wants Christians to put Jesus as the first choice. A righteous calling could become another God to the Christian.
WHY: Since God has
established all governments, Christians are to obey the government in all
things. The only exception is that which is contrary to the will of God. He may
have to suffer the consequent.
WAY: The Christian can not kill since his Lord is the Prince of Peace. He is to love his enemies. Also, Christians reside in all nations.
WHEREAS: Jesus is the Christian’s example to follow. Members of royal families, sons and daughter, were exempt from tax. As Jesus is King's son, He would not have to pay tribute. He did not want to offend earthly kings, so He paid tax.
WHERE: Earth
WHEN: God's word requires the Christian to submit to the civil authority except where it conflicts with God's higher calling. This higher calling can include God directing the Christian into some ministry against the civil authority or requiring the Christian to sin.
WHILE: Paul wrote Timothy while Nero was the
Roman dictator who was killing Christians.
God wants us to preach Jesus, independently of the results, not get off on many so called righteous causes. The man that follows Jesus must be willing to suffer the punishment for following Jesus.
PAPER
OUTLINE:
I) CHRISTIAN ARE TO LOVE:
II)
III) ALL GOVERNMENTS ARE
FROM GOD:
IV) GOD TELLS US TO SUBMIT TO SECULAR GOVERNMENTS:
V) JESUS SUBMITTED TO AUTHORITY:
VI) JESUS TEACHINGS ON
NON-RESISTANCE FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:
VII) GOD TELLS US TO SUBMIT TO KING EVEN IF HE IS EVIL:
VIII) THE CHRISTIAN'S POSITION TO ENEMIES OF HIS NATION, WARS & FIGHTING:
IX) GOD'S WORD DOES NOT TEACH SERVANTS TO REBEL:
X) THE CHRISTIAN IS TO FLEE IF PERSECUTED:
XI) CONCLUSIONS:
I) CHRISTIAN ARE TO LOVE:
The basic principle of Christianity is to love. Jesus gave three love commandments. He said to love God completely, love neighbor (includes loving enemies) as self and love as He loved (self giving). We are to walk as Jesus walked and follow His examples.
II)
There exist two kingdoms (world's and God's). We are strangers and pilgrims
(1 Peter
III) ALL GOVERNMENTS ARE FROM GOD:
Since God has established all governments, Christians are to obey the government in all things. The only exception is that which is contrary to the will of God. He may have to suffer the consequent.
IV) GOD TELLS US TO SUBMIT TO SECULAR GOVERNMENTS:
V) JESUS SUBMITTED TO AUTHORITY: Here to pay once a year temple tax.
Members of royal families, sons and daughter, were exempt from tax.
As Jesus is King's son, He would not have to pay tribute. He did not want to offend earthly kings, so He paid tax.
VI) JESUS TEACHINGS ON NON-RESISTANCE FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:
Example of Roman using law:
VII) GOD TELLS US TO SUBMIT TO KING EVEN IF HE IS EVIL:
We are blessed as we are persecuted for Jesus sake.
God wants us to preach Jesus, independently of the results, not get off on many so called righteous causes. The man that follows Jesus must be willing to suffer the punishment for following Jesus.
VIII) THE CHRISTIAN'S POSITION TO ENEMIES OF HIS NATION, WARS & FIGHTING:
The Christian can not kill since his Lord is the Prince of Peace. He is love his enemies. Also, Christians reside in all nations.
IX) GOD'S WORD DOES NOT TEACH SERVANTS TO REBEL:
X) THE CHRISTIAN IS TO
FLEE IF PERSECUTED: As Paul did in
XI) CONCLUSIONS:
God's word requires the Christian to submit to the civil authority except where it conflicts with God's higher calling. This higher calling can include God directing the Christian into some ministry against the civil authority or requiring the Christian to sin.
There are many righteous causes in the world, but God wants Christians to put Jesus as the first choice. A righteous calling could become another God to the Christian.
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This page is maintained by Dennis Schmidt. Please send your questions or comments to (dennisschmidt@att.net).