Civil Government: Chapter 9 – Our Responsibility to Civil Authorities (Excerpt)

April 19, 2013 by

Civil Government - coverPaul said it was “good and acceptable in the sight of God” that we are permitted to “lead a tranquil and quiet life” (1 Timothy 2:2-3). But why does God see this as good and acceptable? The answer is in the next verse: “Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). The implication here is that a government that does not meet its divinely given role is a threat and an obstacle to the spread of the gospel.

The purpose of praying for a tranquil and quiet life is not for our own comfort or prosperity. Those are certainly benefits, but the primary purpose is something far more important than those.

The purpose of a tranquil and quiet life is so that the gospel can be taught freely and openly so that others can hear it. Once they hear it and believe it, they can obey it without interference. Those who have obeyed it can continue to follow the Lord and lead others to Him. These things can happen amidst persecution, but they happen far more effectively without persecution.

So we must pray “for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:2-4).

You can read more about our responsibility to civil authorities in Civil Government: What the Bible Says About Its Origin, History, Nature, and Role. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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Civil Government: Chapter 8 – Limitations of Civil Government

April 12, 2013 by

Civil Government - coverGod never intended for civil government to take care of us. He has a different plan for this. It begins with His providence. In creating this world, God provided everything we need in order to survive: plants and animals for food (Genesis 1:29; 9:3), proper conditions for survival (Acts 14:17), and the ability to work in order to provide for ourselves (Acts 17:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10).

If one is unable to provide for himself, God has made provisions for such a one to be cared for — and not by the civil government. Individuals can help (Galatians 6:9-10). One’s family can help (1 Timothy 5:4, 16). In certain cases, the church can help (Acts 4:32-35). If everyone tried to help others according to their ability and opportunity (2 Corinthians 8:12; Galatians 6:10) rather than thinking that a government “safety net” absolves us of our responsibility to do good to others, the number of people who would yet require government assistance would be drastically reduced.

The Scriptures teach that we can survive without government through the providence of God. The wise man explained this:

“Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations. When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, the lambs will be for your clothing, and the goats will bring the price of a field, and there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and sustenance for your maidens” (Proverbs 27:23-27).

Knowing that governments will, from time to time, collapse, Solomon explains how we can survive under such circumstances. By using what God has provided in His creation, we can have food, clothing, and the ability to participate in free market commerce. With “firm reliance on…divine Providence,” we can survive without an oppressive, burdensome, and inefficient government machine trying (allegedly) to take care of us.

You can read more about the limitations of civil government in Civil Government: What the Bible Says About Its Origin, History, Nature, and Role. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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Civil Government: Chapter 7 – The Perils of a Strong, Centralized Government (Excerpt)

April 5, 2013 by

Civil Government - coverExpect persecution — It should not surprise us that persecution will come from the government as it grows more powerful. Those who set themselves up as god will persecute believers of the one true God. Persecution is a reality for Christians anyway (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12,16); and it is often worst when the source is government. Since the church was established in the first century, severe persecution is often the work of the civil authorities.

Do not be caught off guard by this. Instead, be ready for it; and do not be intimidated. The second time Peter and John were brought before the Council, they were told: “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” Were they intimidated? Not at all. They simply answered, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:28-29). One day the government may try to stop you from serving God, assembling with fellow Christians, or teaching the gospel to others. When this happens, do not be afraid. Peter later wrote, “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed, ‘And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled’” (1 Peter 3:14).

You can read more about the perils of a strong, centralized government in Civil Government: What the Bible Says About Its Origin, History, Nature, and Role. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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Civil Government: Chapter 6 – A Minister of God, or of Satan? (Excerpt)

March 29, 2013 by

Civil Government - coverIn the book of Revelation, the Lord warned the church in Smyrna of the persecution that was coming. He said, “The devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days” (Revelation 2:10). This persecution was being carried out by the civil authorities (the Roman government). Were these authorities acting as the minister of God here when they persecuted Christians? On the contrary, they were doing the work of the devil. Their service to Satan is so plainly indicated here that their work of throwing Christians into prison is attributed to the devil himself.

When a government rejects its God-given role and begins to do harm to the ones who should be enjoying its protection, that government ceases to be a minister of God and becomes a minister of Satan.

You can read more about how civil authorities may act either as God’s ministers or as Satan’s ministers in Civil Government: What the Bible Says About Its Origin, History, Nature, and Role. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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Civil Government: Chapter 5 – What God Ordained with Respect to Civil Government (Excerpt)

March 22, 2013 by

Civil Government - coverSo, what function does God have in mind for today’s civil authorities? The New Testament answers this question. It sets forth the divinely approved model of civil government. The purpose of government — as stated by the apostles (Romans 13:3, 4; 1 Peter 2:14) — is to punish evildoers and approve those who do what is right. It is a government that is “not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.” It praises those who “do what is good” (Romans 13:3). Peter wrote, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king as supreme; 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” (1 Peter 2:13-14, KJV).

God tells us to pray for civil authorities that we may lead “a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2, KJV). The word translated “quiet” is a word that emphasizes tranquility arising from the absence of outward disturbance. The word translated “peaceable” emphasizes a tranquility arising from within. While this is primarily a prayer passage, we learn from it an important function of civil rulers: they are to provide peaceful and secure conditions in which citizens are free to live lives according to divinely revealed principles of conduct and behavior.

The God-ordained model of government is one that:

  • Provides for the safety and security of its citizens (1 Timothy 2:2).
  • Provides an atmosphere in which its citizens may live peacefully, mind their own affairs, and work with their own hands, doing what is right for themselves, their families and their neighbors (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Timothy 5:8; Romans 13:1-10).
  • Punishes those whose actions are harmful and detrimental to the divinely ordained function of society.

Any government that fails or refuses to follow this model cannot be classified as a God-ordained government.

You can read more about what God ordained with respect to civil government in Civil Government: What the Bible Says About Its Origin, History, Nature, and Role. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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