“The Powers That Be”

page l 1 l 2 l
- 1 -

 

The Realm of Civil Power

 

Who should be subject to civil government?

 

“Everyone must submit himself to the government authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1   

 

By whom are the powers that be ordained?

 

“The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Verse 1.

 

What does one resist that resists civil authority?

 

“Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Verse 2.  

 

Note – That is, they who rise up against government itself; who seek anarchy and confusion; who oppose the regular execution of the laws. It is implied however, that those laws shall not be such as to violate the rights of conscience, or oppose the laws of God.

 

What are the proper sphere and work of civil authority?

 

“For rulers hold nor terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if he do you wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Verses 3,4.

 

For whom is the law made?

 

“We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers.” 1 Timothy 1:9. 

 

How are Christians admonished to respect civil authority?

 

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.” Titus 3:1. “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

1 Peter 2”13-17. “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:6,7.

 

The Special Spiritual Realm

 

In what words does Christ show that there is another realm outside of Caesar’s, or civil government?

 

“Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

Matthew 22:21.  

 

To whom alone did He say worship is to be rendered?

 

“Jesus said to him, “Away from me Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Matthew 4:10.

 

Civil Power Invades God’s Realm

 

What decree did King Nebuchadnezzar once make?

 

“As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of the gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” Daniel 3:5,6. 

 

Note – This decree was in direct conflict with the second commandment of God’s law, which forbids making, bowing down to, and serving images. It was religious idolatrous, and persecuting in character.

 

What answer did the three Hebrew captives give?

 

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king. O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up.” Verses 16-18.

 

What did Nebuchadnezzar then do?

 

“And commanded some of his strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.” Verse 20.

 

After their miraculous deliverance, what did Nebuchadnezzar say?

 

“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and

Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defiled the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any other god except their own God.” Verse 28.

 

Note – By preserving these men in the fire, God was demonstrating before the entire world, through his great kingdom, that religion is a realm outside the legitimate sphere of civil authority; and that every individual should be left free to worship, or not to worship, according to the dictates of his own conscience.

 

How only could the envious princes complain of Daniel?

 

“Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for chargers against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” Daniel 6:5.  

 

What decree did they prevail upon the king to make?

 

“The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should order an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any other god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lion’s den.” Verse 7.

 

Note – Unlike the decree of Nebuchadnezzar, this decree forbade the worship of the true God, and was in direct conflict with the first commandment of the Decalogue, which forbids the worship of any other god.

 

How did Daniel regard this decree?

 

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

Verse 10.

 

What was finally done with Daniel?

 

“So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lion’s den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” Verse 16.

 

What did Darius say when he came to the lion’s den?

 

“When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Verse 20.

What was Daniel’s reply?

 

“Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I done any wrong before you, O king.” Verses 21, 22.

 

Note – Here again was demonstrated a miracle, wrought in the face of this great nation, that with the directing, prescribing, proscribing, or interfering with religion or its exercise, civil governments can of the right have nothing whatever to do.

 

God’s Commands Vs. Man’s

 

What parting command did Christ give the disciples?

 

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

Mark 16:15.

 

What counter command did the Jews soon give them?

 

“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:18.

 

page l 1 l 2 l
- 1 -

 

[TOP]