WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSIBILITY
TO THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT?
Roger D. Campbell

        Do you suppose there is a civil government anywhere in the world that has the exact structural arrangement and policies that the Roman Empire had in the days of Jesus and the first-century disciples? There may be some aspects of present-day governments that resemble those of the ancient Roman Empire that was in power in the Middle East when the New Testament was written, but the odds are extremely high that no modern-day arrangement is a one-hundred-per-cent carbon copy of the Roman setup.
        If that be the case, why should a child of God living in the 21st century even be concerned about what the New Testament teaches about Christians’ responsibility to their civil government? The specifics may not be exactly the same, but the New Testament principles still apply because they are a part of the teaching of the Christ that endures and lives forever (1 Peter 1:23-25), being in force until the end of the age/world (Matt. 28:20).
        What does the New Testament teach about my obligation to the government under which I live? This general instruction is found in Titus 3:1: “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.” That statement, coupled with more extensive teaching recorded in 1 Peter 2:13-17 and Romans 13:1-7, as well as other New Testament principles, leads us to make the following conclusions about our responsibility to the civil government.
        1) A Christian is to obey civil authorities. First, the message of Titus 3:1 is, “...obey magistrates.” Second, the opening instruction of Romans 13:1 is, “Let every soul be subject to the higher powers.” Third, Christians are further charged, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man” (1 Peter 2:13). The context of this last passage clearly shows that the expression “ordinance of man” is not a reference to some man-made religious regulation, but rather to the decree of civil authorities, “the king” and “governors” are noted (1 Peter 2:13,14). When the Holy Spirit’s instruction is to “obey,” “be subject to,” and “submit to” the laws of the land, that is a pretty plain message, would you not agree?
        2) A Christian is to obey the civil government “for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13). Because “the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1), resisting such authorities is equal to resisting God’s ordained authority and arrangement (13:2). Obeying civil authorities is part of obeying the Lord, “For so is the will of God” (1 Peter 2:15).
        3) A Christian is to obey every aspect of civil law. Going back to 1 Peter 2:13, we read, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake....” “Every ordinance” would include what the civil authorities decree about building codes, littering highways, tax obligations, the size of passport photos, how far a church building must sit away from a street/road, and you name it. We may be tempted to label certain laws as “unreasonable,” “ridiculous,” or even “insane,” but the law is the law. If I have the right to disregard a law that I count as inconvenient, excessively costly, etc., then why would another person not have the right to disregard a different law? What is it that ensues when people decide to use their own gut feelings to determine with which government ordinances they will comply, and which they will disregard? The word is “chaos” or “lawlessness.”
        4) A Christian is to obey civil authorities at all levels. Peter’s Spirit-guided instruction to submit to civil ordinances was, “...whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers...” (1 Peter 2:13,14). Kings, governors, and delegated authority are mentioned, indicating that all branches and levels of civil government fall under the category of “the powers that be” to whom we are to submit ourselves. In our country that would include national, state, district, county, and city laws.
        5) A Christian is to obey civil authorities, regardless of the type of government under which he lives. This principle is tough for some to accept willingly, but it is true. In the U.S., we are blessed to live in a republic in which we are privileged to vote and elect government officials who are supposed to represent us and our best interests. Those to whom the apostles wrote inspired messages in the first century about obeying governmental powers were not living in a republic or anything akin to such. They lived in a day when kings, often ruthless, self-serving men, reigned. Still, the message of God was to submit to them. If the U.S. or some other nation should some day, either by choice or by force, adopt a form of government that has little or no concern for the common people, God’s charge to “obey magistrates” would still be in force.
        6) While Christians are obligated to obey civil authorities, if there are governmental regulations that are not in harmony with God’s law, Christians must choose to obey what God says. Because God’s people are to act “as obedient children” at all times (1 Peter 1:14), if man’s laws are at odds with the teaching of the Bible, God’s children are to obey the Bible. Yes, in every situation, “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Remember, we are not at liberty to not submit to a government law simply because we do not like it. A saint’s decision to not submit to a civil law must be based on a “thus saith the Lord” and not on his own personal likes or preferences.
        These half-dozen principles we have noted are not based on culture. Rather, they are biblical truths that apply in every society in every generation.

The “Failure” of Jesus?

Dub McClish

A popular theological system advances the following theses:

• The Jews of Jesus’ day “surprised” God the Father by rejecting His Son, their Messiah.

• This rejection prevented Jesus’ from establishing the earthly kingdom He intended to establish at His first coming.

• As an emergency measure, Jesus established His church to suffice until He returns.

• When He returns, He will establish an earthly political kingdom, which will endure for one thousand years.

If this system of theology is true, Jesus failed at His first coming. If He did not fail, this system is false. To even imply that Almighty God was “surprised” by the rejection of His Son is to blasphemously deny His omniscience. Moreover, it denies prophetic announcements of said rejection (e.g., Isa. 53, written seven centuries B.C.).

The rejection of Jesus, resulting in His crucifixion, did not thwart the establishment of His kingdom. Without question, the Jewish leadership’s rejection of Jesus would have prevented His establishment of a political domain—had He come for that purpose.

But their fatal error (and that of the modern future-kingdom theorists) was their expectation of an earthly reign of the prophesied Messiah. They envisioned for their nation a revival of the glory days of the kingdoms of David and Solomon dominion of ten centuries earlier, which would throw off the despised yoke of Rome. They sought to force Jesus to be their king on one occasion, but He refused it and fled (John 6:15).

The church was no emergency substitute for failed kingdom plans. Rather, the church is that kingdom He came to—and did—establish. In the same breath, He promised to build His church, and He identified it as the “at-hand” kingdom (Mat. 16:18; 4:17). Paul reminded the Colossian saints that God had “translated” them into the kingdom (Col. 1:13). John was “in the kingdom” with the brethren he addressed (Rev. 1:9). The church is the “kingdom that cannot be shaken,” prophesied by Daniel (Heb. 12:23, 28; cf. Dan. 2:44).

Jesus’ kingdom is spiritual, not temporal or political, in nature. When He comes again, He will deliver His presently-existing kingdom to the Father in Heaven, not establish one on earth (1 Cor. 15:24).

Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). What part of Jesus’ plain statement can Bible readers not understand?

POLITICAL DECISIONS CAN BE SPIRITUAL DECISIONS
Victor M. Eskew

        The principles of Christianity found in the Bible are to permeate every area of our lives. They are to be our guide at home, in the church, at work, in our recreation, and in our politics. We are not free to “pick-and-choose” where we will allow Bible teaching to be applicable to our lives. The will of God is pertinent to every realm of the Christian’s life.
        We are fast approaching a national election. Some of the political decisions we make will also be spiritual decisions. Let’s consider an Old Testament example.
        After the death of Solomon, Rehoboam came to the throne. At his inauguration, Jeroboam and the congregation of Israel gave an ultimatum to the new king. Their words to the monarch were: “Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee” (1 Kings 12:4). Rehoboam refused to make it lighter. In fact, he promised to make the yoke heavier (1 Kings 12:14). This decision caused the kingdom of Israel to divide. “So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither [have we] inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. But [as for] the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them” (1 Kings 12:16-17).
        After the division of the kingdom, Jeroboam (king of the northern ten tribes) was concerned about the nation returning to the house of David (southern kingdom), especially when it came time to “go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem” (1 Kings 12:27). To keep this from happening, Jeroboam did three things. First, he set up calves of gold in Dan and Bethel and proclaimed to Israel: “behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (1 Kings 12:28-29). Second, he created a new priesthood, “and made priests of the lowest of people, which were not of the sons of Levi” (1 Kings 12:31). Third, he ”ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar” (1 Kings 12:32).
        At this point in the history of Israel, individuals had to make some important decisions. These decisions were both political and spiritual in nature. Would those who revolted against the higher taxation policies of Rehoboam continue to side with Jeroboam (northern kingdom)? Would they go along with his idolatry and transgression of the Law of Moses? In 2 Chronicles 11:13-15, we read of the Levites who returned to Rehoboam (southern kingdom). In 2 Chronicles 11:16, we read of others who returned as well. As you read this verse, listen to the reason they returned to Jerusalem. “And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers.” This was a political decision. They would leave one king and yield allegiance to another. The Israelites mentioned in this verse made their decision based on their desire to follow God. Note: Their political decision was based upon their religious beliefs. Their decision was both political and spiritual.
        The United States is coming up on a presidential election. We, as Christians, have important decisions that have to be made. Sometimes our political decisions are also spiritual decisions. Sadly, some do not see it this way, or, they have formed some type of reasoning that allows them to compromise Biblical principles and support ungodly principles.
        One of the decisions we must make involves the issue of ABORTION. Abortion involves the willful killing of a human life while still in the womb of the mother. It is shedding innocent blood. According to Proverbs 6:16-19, God hates it. In the last 20 or so years, one of the presidential candidates has opposed abortion (killing babies) while the other one has supported abortion (killing babies). My friends, this makes our choice for a candidate both political and spiritual in nature. Do you support abortion (killing babies)?
        Another decision we must make revolves around HOMOSEXUALITY, especially as it concerns gay marriage (men marrying men and women marrying women). Some have made it clear that marriage can only be between a man and a woman, while others take the opposite position. One party especially has made it clear they support gay marriages. Because of this, one’s decision as to party affiliation becomes both a political and spiritual decision. Why is this the case? Because God has made it clear in His divine Word that homosexuality is sin. It is a perversion of the worst kind. In Romans 1:26, He calls homosexuality a “vile” affection. In Romans 1:27, homosexuality is referred to as “error.” In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, homosexuality is labeled as being unrighteous and these verses proclaim that those who practice it “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Remember, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of it (Gen. 18:20; 19:4-7,13,27-29; Jude 1:7). That is why homosexuality is called sodomy. Do you support sodomy/homosexuality?
        The promise of God held true for Israel. He had said through the psalmist: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God” (Psa. 9:17). Do you think this promise still holds true today? Please, dear reader, as you cast your vote in the upcoming elections, remember that political decisions can be, and often are, spiritual decisions as well.
        God is watching. He will weigh us in the balances of His divine justice just as He did Israel of old.

PREPARING FOR A SMALLER BROTHERHOOD

Bill Jackson —Deceased

Before someone tries to rename me, let me state that “I am not Chicken Little, running around crying that THE SKY IS FALLING!” I do not believe that the sky is falling. I do know that many congregations are fallen, and more will fall; and I know many members of the church have done and are doing the same. Sadly, in spite of all the publicity given to the marks of apostasy in our time, some are still prone to chalk it up to “preacher excitability, and exaggeration.” They state that after documentation of more than 160 congregations having had internal problems due to the Crossroads/ Boston Movement errors [Of the late 1970s and early 80s in the church—Editor].

Some will still say, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace.” I am stating no more, in this article’s heading, than was in the mind of Paul and others as they worked in the first century, and pointed to the coming great apostasy. Paul spoke of the departures from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1), and that due to men who have tired of sound doctrine, and wish to hear something else (2 Tim. 4:1-4). Peter spoke of false teachers who will bring in damnable heresies, and that “many shall follow their pernicious ways” (2 Peter 2:1-2). The Lord had waning faith in mind in looking to His return and asking, “when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Our Lord, and the apostles, were laying before us the matter of the church, as a result of apostasies, being smaller than in an earlier time. We do not see how any informed member can doubt it.

There cannot be great apostasy and the church still be growing in number. There cannot be all the weakness associated with departures from the faith, and great spiritual or numerical strength at the same time. Having fallen from the “top ten,” the church will fall further unless there is, very soon, a turnaround that we cannot now see. In fact, being “in the top ten,” and pridefully desiring to remain so, or to climb even higher, no doubt encouraged some to soften all stance in order to be more pleasing unto men, and to gain the numbers that will be so impressive that we will remain high in denominational favor. After all, the denominational papers and magazines were the ones keeping the count, and some in our ranks wanted to keep these in a favorable mood toward us. But, did not Jesus warn, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!” (Luke 6:26)?

We must then prepare for a smaller brotherhood. When the apostasy has run its course, that is what we will have. But, it will be a more faithful brotherhood, loving God and loving truth, and still holding onto and preaching exactly what we believed and preached since Pentecost, 33 A.D. It will still be the body of the Christ (Eph. 1:22-23), charged with making known to lost men the manifold wisdom of God (Eph. 3:10). It will be the body maintaining the New Testament’s marks for the church, in name, in organization, in work, in the plan of salvation taught, and in the form of New Testament worship. It may not be the body once positioned on Main Street, downtown in a large city, having long since had to move once again into the frame building down some side street and across the tracks, but it will be the body of Christ, and faithful to the Lord. It will be the body known by the Lord, and to be claimed by Him when He next appears (1 Cor. 15:24). A congregation does not have to be great in size to be either faithful or blest by God! There will remain, I fear, one confusing element.

Unlike some hobbyistic movements, so anxious to leave the church that they readily adopted some other religious name, the trend in modern-day liberalism is to keep the designation “church of Christ.” Some few, in demonstration of “freedom” will be “the Family of God...Fellowship Cathedral... House of the Carpenter...” etc., but doubtless most will retain the wording “church of Christ.” Those who are traveling will have to do more careful advanced planning as to where they will stop for worship. But still, if worship is important—and it is—the planning is worth it. We will have to do that planning, for the brotherhood will be smaller!

BIBLE AUTHORITY MUST BE RESPECTED
Marvin L. Weir

The great battle that is being fought today is over the authority of the Bible. Bible authority must be understood, taught, and put into practice if we are to please the Lord.

        God is the Creator and man is the created. The created is never greater than the Creator. Isaiah noted that man was created to glorify God (Isa. 43:7). The apostle Paul admonishes, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). One cannot glorify God by refusing to be guided by a “thus saith the Lord.”
        Legion are the number of folks today who refuse to abide by Biblical authority because they desire to glorify themselves! So many people prefer to do what they want to do, and they fully intend to do it their way. This type of attitude spawns religious division and promotes denominationalism. It also produces liberalism and modernism within the Lord’s church.
        The Bible plea is that “...ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). The Holy Spirit instructed the Colossian brethren in saying, “...whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col. 3:17). Doing something in the name of Christ Jesus is doing what He has authorized us to do. All unscriptural religious division today is the direct result of people refusing to abide by the authority of the Scriptures.
        God’s law has been absolute and binding in every dispensation of time. Those in denominations and liberal members of the Lord’s church absolutely abhor the principles taught in the Old Testament regarding Bible authority. They have nothing but disdain for Bible examples that clearly show the wrath of God upon those who reject and spurn a “thus saith the Lord.”
        Since God is “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34), we know He communicated with both Cain and Abel regarding an offering acceptable unto Him. God has respect for Abel’s offering, “but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect” (Gen. 4:4-5). Man has never been given permission to deviate from what God has specified! God expected folks to be submissive and obedient to His will under the Patriarchal dispensation.
        The Mosaical dispensation reveals to us the story of Nadab and Abihu. The liberals and progressives detest such an incident because it vividly reveals that God will not approve that which has not been authorized. The Scriptures read, “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD” (Lev. 10:1-2). There is no getting around the fact that Nadab and Abihu were killed because they took the liberty to do that which God “had not commanded them.”
        God’s will is still to be honored and respected in the Christian age. It is not true that God’s authority was needed under the Patriarchal and Mosaical dispensations but is optional or unnecessary under the New Covenant. Jesus makes it clear that what we say must agree with what He demands that we do if we are going to be with Him in Heaven. The Lord warned, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Again, the Master admonished, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)? Remember that the words of the apostle Paul in Colossians 3:17 were “whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
        If we abide by the teaching of Christ, it does not allow us hear and do not! James clearly states that we are to be “...doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). Jesus teaches that the “wise man” who hears His word and respects and follows it will build upon the “rock,” but that the “foolish man” who hears and does not abide by His word will choose to build upon the “sand” (Matt. 7:24-27). It is said of the one who built upon the sand and refused to abide by a “thus saith the Lord” — “and great was the fall it.”
        The standard of authority that we are to abide by is not majority rule (Matt. 7:13-14; Exodus 23:2;) nor is it the Pope of Roman Catholicism. Christ is the head of His church which is His body (Eph. 1:22-23), and He has been given all authority “in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). This leaves no authority for the Pope nor any other man, woman, or creed. As the Scriptures teach “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89).
        One who does not abide by the teaching of Christ and respect His authority does not love the Father or the Son. John makes this clear in stating, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). Neither can one fellowship, aid, support, or encourage the person who refuses to abide in the teaching of Christ without becoming a partaker of his evil works (2 John 10)!
        All people will be judged by the Word of God — not the word of man. Jesus teaches, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). It is true that Christ has become “unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9).
        The great battle that is being fought today is over the authority of the Bible. Bible authority must be understood, taught, and put into practice if we are to please the Lord. Bible authority is not full of comfort for those who insist upon worshiping and living as they please, but for those who want to go Heaven, it is their refuge and source of strength. May we all choose to respect Bible authority!