“The Powers That Be”

page l 1 l 2 l
- 2 -

 

What reply did Peter and John make?

 

“But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Verses 19,20.

 

For continuing to preach, what befell the apostles?

 

“Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.”

Acts 5:17,18.  

 

What did an angel of God then do?

 

“During the night an angel of the Lord opened the door of the jail and brought them out. “God and stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” Verses 19,20.

 

Note – Here once again is demonstrated the fact that men have no right to interfere with the free exercise of religion, and that when the laws of men conflict with the law and Word of God, we are to obey the latter, whatever the consequences may be.

 

When the apostles were called before the council again, what question did the high priest ask them?

“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

Verse 28.

 

What reply did the apostles make?

 

“Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! Verse 29.

 

Note – “Obedience is to be rendered to all human governments, in subordination to the will of God. These governments are a recognized necessity, in the nature of the case, and their existence is manifestly in accordance with the divine will. Hence the presumption is always in favor of the authority of civil law; and any refusal to obey, must be based on the moral proof that obedience will be sin…. It is obvious to need discussion, that the law of God, the great principle of obedience, is supreme, and that ‘we ought to obey God, rather than men,’ in any case of conflict between human law and the divine.”

James H. Fairchild, Moral Philosophy (1869 ed.), pp. 178-181.

 

Who is higher than the “higher powers”?

 

“If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.” Ecclesiastes 5:8.  

 

Note – In attempting to defend the right of civil government to enforce religious observances by law, some still ask, “Shall we not obey the powers that be?” We answer, “Yes, when they are in harmony with the higher powers that be. God made His law for the entire universe. He is to be recognized, His law honored, before all the great men and the highest earthly powers.”  

 

Because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, what decree did Haman succeed in having the king issue?  

 

“Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews – young and old, woman and children – on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelve month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.”

Ester 3:13.

 

Note – God has placed the sword (civil authority) in the hands of Caesar (civil government) for the punishment of evildoers; but when the sword is raised to slay the innocent, as in the case of the children of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16); or to enforce idolatrous worship, as in the case of the three Hebrews (Daniel 3); or to prohibit the worship of the true God, as in the case of Daniel (Daniel 6); or to slay all God’s people, as in the time of Easter; or to enforce the observance of a false sabbath, as in the case of all Sunday laws, it is an abuse of civil authority, and not a proper or justifiable use of it; and God honors those who, under such circumstances, in the face of persecution, oppression, and death, remain loyal and true to Him.  God is above all earthly rulers, and His law above all human laws. He made us, and we therefore owe allegiance to Him before any earthly power, potentate, or tribunal. 

 

Personal Responsibility to God Alone

 

What is religion?

 

“The recognition of God as an object of worship, love and obedience.”  - Webster.  Other definitions equally good are: “The duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it.” Man’s personal relation of faith and obedience to God.”

 

In religious things, who alone should we call Father?

 

“And do not call anyone on earth ‘father, ‘for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.” Matthew 23:9.

 

When tempted to bow to Satan, what did Christ say?

 

“Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Matthew 4:10.  (See Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:30.)

 

To who alone, then, is each one accountable in religion?

 

“So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12.

 

Human Usurpers

 

What do those do, therefore, who make men accountable to them in religious affairs?

 

They put themselves in the place of God. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4.)

 

Why, in religious matters, did Christ say men should not be called masters?

 

“Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ.”

 Matthew 23:10.

     

To who, then, as servants, are we responsible in matters of faith and worship?

 

“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? Too his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4. 

 

Whose servants are we not to be?

 

“You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23. 

 

Note – “Satan methods ever tend to one end – to make men the slaves of men,” and thus separate them from God, destroy faith in God, and to expose men to temptation and sin. Christ’s work is to set men free, to renew faith, and to lead to willing and loyal obedience to God.” – Martin Luther.

 

At The Judgment Seat

 

Where must all appear to render their account?

 

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

2 Corinthians 5:10. 

 

Note – Inasmuch, then, as religion is an individual matter, and each individual must give account of himself to God, it follows that there should be no human constraint or compulsion in religious affairs. 

 

page l 1 l 2 l
- 2 -

 

 

[TOP]