The Role of Government

Selected Verses

Absolute and final under Christ Isaiah 9:6,7
Anti-Christian under antichrist II Thess 2:3-12
Successions of, determined by God Dan. 2:28-45
Ignorant of spiritual things I Cor. 2:8
Providentially used Acts 26:3 2
Acts 26:32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."
Occupy positions in Gen 42:6
Pay taxes to Matt 22:18-21
Matt 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? "Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.
Pray for I Tim 2:1-3
1 Tim 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For 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.
Obey rules of Rom. 13:1-7
But obey God first Acts 5:29

1. Does God authorize government?

If yes, what type: democracy, communism, or socialism?
Rom 13:1-7 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and God appoints the authorities that exist. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.

Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Acts 2:4447 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32-33 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

Acts 4:34-35 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

Acts 4:36-37 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Not everyone received, not everyone gave, not everyone received equal portions. Not Communistic or Socialistic

Col 3 :22-Col 4:1 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

2. What, if any thing, is the role of government in a Christian's life?

Heb 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Both here and in v. 17 one finds mentioned "those who rule over you." The Greek word employed is not the one which is generally used to mean "to reign" as king or governor. The word found here (hegeomai, Gk.) has meanings such as "lead," "preside," "govern," or "rule." The best approach is to understand that those who occupied the office of pastor (elder) in the early churches were held in esteem and reverence. The Hebrews are cautioned to remember them continually and to obey and submit to them. Their faith is to be followed because of its evident results in their lives. Those who are members of the local churches are to see that the pastor's duty to "watch out for your souls" can be discharged "with joy" rather than "with grief' (v. 17). The two verses together portray the God-ordained leadership of the elders or pastors in the early assemblies (see 1 Pet. 5:3 for a caution as to the extent of this rule).

3. Must we obey the government? If yes, only U.S. government or other nations as well?

Romans 13:1-7

4. What laws, if any, must we obey?

Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Mat 22:17-22 "Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? "Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?"
They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

5. What laws, if any, can we not obey?

Acts 5:28-29 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood Ofl US!" But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.

6. Can a Christian serve in the government? If yes, any government?

Gen 42:6 Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land.

And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.

7. Is this service limited or can a Christian be in the military, prison guard, executioner, etc.?

Acts 5:28-29 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.