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Welcome To The Services Of The Dunlap church of Christ We Are Delighted You Are Here!

Exploring the biblical perspective on the role of Christians in civil government and the duty to submit to authorities. |

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Welcome To The Services Of The Dunlap church of Christ We Are Delighted You Are Here!

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  1. Welcome To The Services Of The Dunlap church of Christ We Are Delighted You Are Here!

  2. Welcome To The Services Of The Dunlap church of Christ If You Have Any Questions, Just Let Us Know.

  3. Romans 13:1-7 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”

  4. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid;”

  5. “For he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (5) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”

  6. (6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

  7. There was once a time when God entrusted both religious & civil authority to a single agency. There was a time when “church” and “state” were one and the same institution. Consider Moses. In the later monarchy there developedsome natural “separation of powers” within the Israelite nation.

  8. Matthew 28:18 • He has established the church as His spiritual body to be overseen by elders, governed by the New Testament, and occupied with the business of saving souls. Acts 20:26-32 • He has set human governments with the task of maintaining order in society, enacting and enforcing laws, enabling people to live in relative safety and peace. I Peter 2:13-17

  9. I Peter 2:13-17 “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; (14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”

  10. (15) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (16) As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (17) Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”

  11. Questions Concerning Romans 13:1-7 • Can a Christian participate in civil government? • Can a Christian participate in the vengeance role of civil government? • “All actions performed under Biblical authority as ministries to God are actions which are morally right and which should be supported by children of God.”

  12. The Context of Romans 13:1-7 • Romans 1-11 develops the doctrinal theme of salvation by faith. • Romans 12-16 addresses practical problems which challenge Christians in giving their spiritual service to God. • Romans 13:1-7 is about Christian conduct within a civil state.

  13. The Content Of Roman 13:1-7 • The civil state is ordained by God (vs.1,2). Genesis 10:8-10; Ephesians 5:22-25; I Peter 2:13-15; I Corinthians 7:15; Acts 5:29 • Governments are authorized to act so as to encourage right conduct and punish evil among their citizens (vs.3,4). • Civil governments have the right to bear the sword and administer punishment (v.4)

  14. Government Bearing The Sword • Romans 12:19 forbids private citizens from taking the law into their own hands. • As far as personal conduct is concerned, the Christian should return good for evil, (Romans 12:20) and “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38,39). • In Leviticus 19:17,18 we read that the Law of Moses taught the same.

  15. Government Bearing The Sword • The state and its agents (soldiers, policemen, etc.) have the right to use force in punishing evil doers. • The “sword” of Romans 13:4 is not a ceremonial piece nor for decoration purposes or turning pages in a rehabilitation manual. It was/is a weapon. Mark 14:47; Hebrews 11:34; Acts 12:2

  16. Christians are obligated to respect and obey the government (v.5) The Christian not only fears the punishing powers of the state but fears even more the consequences of resisting God by defying His “minister.” Governments are entitled to tax their subjects for support (vs.6,7) Luke 20:22-25

  17. There are three primary moves that a person might make in trying to avoid the force of Romans 13:1-7. • Some would contend that civil government has the right to exist and bear the sword, but Christians cannot participate in those functions. • In other words, this position is that governments must exist, enforce laws, and even use force, but only sinners, men and women who are not children of God, can carry out such deeds. • Acts 23:16-35; Romans 13:4

  18. The Consequences Of This Position • Are we to believe that sinners, those who are not children of God, are the only ones who can be “ministers of God” in civil matters? • Are we to think that it would be morally wrong for Christians to perform a work that is approved of God and which glorifies God ?

  19. The Consequences Of This Position • Heaven has established a situation where sinners defend the property, rights, and lives of Christians within a society, while Christians on the sidelines pray for their success but insist that it would be morally wrong for them to bear the same responsibilities. • Are Christians exempt from the duty of providing for the welfare and protections of their families? Communities? Countries?

  20. It Might Be Argued That The Teaching Of Jesus Contradicts This Interpretation Of Romans 13:1-7 • In Matthew 5:38,39 and Romans 12:17-21 both Jesus and Paul prohibit personal retaliation, taking the law into one’s own hands, but it is a serious misuse of rules about personal conduct to try to transform them into absolute rules which are unqualified by other contexts. • Matthew 5:42; II Thess.3:10; John 18:22,23

  21. “But aren’t we to love our enemies, and isn’t love the opposite of force and taking life?” Matthew 5:44 • Is love for an enemy to be understood as the supreme love of one’s life? • What about love for God, family, brethren, and country? • If I use force against an enemy who is threatening my family is not my action motivated by love? • Acts 5:1-11; Revelation 21:8

  22. The Concept That Is Worthy Of Study & Acceptance Concerning Romans 13:1-7 • It must be consistent with all the Bible says about vengeance taking. Genesis 9:6 • The death penalty was retained under the law of Moses. Deut.17:2-7;22:25;Ex.21:16 Deuteronomy 21:18-23; I Samuel 15:1-3

  23. The New Testament does not abolish capital punishment nor does it prohibit the maintenance of armies or the functioning of godly people within them. • John 19:10,11; Acts 25:11 • Romans 13:1-7 says that the vengeance taking function of the state is not merely tolerated, but is positively a ministry of the Lord

  24. God’s Simple Plan HEAR (Romans 10:17) BELIEVE (John 8:24) REPENT (Luke 13:3) CONFESS (Rom.10:9-10) BAPTIZED (Gal. 3:27) ADDED TO THE CHURCH (Acts 2:41,47)

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