Non-Resistance

-Non resistance-

Rom 13:1

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Rom 13:2

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14 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.

15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Questions:

How can i reconcile the Old Testament with this subject?

How do we protect our families?

What about all the hypothetical questions?

Questions from the “Ready to Answer” pamphlet

When did you first accept the doctrine of non resistance

I was taught this doctrine from a young boy and have lived it my whole life. There have been several times i have challenged its paradigm, to ensure i do embrace the whole doctrine.

When did you become a member of your church

I have been a member for around 6 years.

Have you ever made any sacrifices for your belief

Yes, Jesus has called me to obey him even when i did not like the answer. (Ownership)

Did you ever sue anyone at the law? If so, why?

No, and i have no intentions of ever suing anyone.

Why do you object to taking part in war?

Our king said that we are of a different kingdom, and if we were of this kingdom then we would fight. But since we are not then we do not fight. Jesus has also commanded us to not kill a person so i do my best to not put myself in that position.

Be truthful: aren’t you just afraid to die if you go to war?

Absolutely not!

Would you ever defend yourself if another person attacked you? How?

Hypothetically I would attempt to avoid the attack as best as possible. At this point my fight skills are pretty bad so even if i decided to fight back it would be pretty embarrassing :)

What would you do if someone entered into your home and threatened a family member with bodily harm?

I would attempt to put myself in harms way to protect the other person. Again if i tried to fight back i would probably get myself and whoever the other person is killed.

What if all the people in our country had convictions like you?

Well at this point we know that it is not going to happen as the 2 kingdoms will stand until God takes care of them in the last days. But the more people like me the less need there is for war. We would not have our current government system it would look a lot different.

Why do you claim exemption from military service?

Our king said that we are of a different kingdom, and if we were of this kingdom then we would fight. But since we are not then we do not fight. This kingdom we are part of desires us to live at peace with one another. 2 Tim 2:4 says no man that warreth entangleth himself in the affairs of this world. (This is separation of church and state)

Where in the Bible do you find the scriptures to support your claim for exemption?

What did jesus mean when he said, he that hath no sword let him buy one, and “i came not to send peace but a sword.”

How do you explain the passage in revelation where it says, “and there was war in heaven?”

Why did Jesus make a whip and drive the money changers and animals out of the temple?

When you say that god has led you to take this position, how do you know your convictions are from God?

Are you carful to follow the rules of your church?

Would you fight to protect the church and her faith?

Did the Israelites sin when they made war with their neibhors?

Do you pray for the leaders of our country? Why? How?

Have you ever received a speeding ticket? If killing someone is serious as you say, how could you drive above the speed limit and put others at such risk?

Have you ever had hatred for anyone? How do you reconcile that with the scripture that says, “ whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer?”

Would you be willing to enter the armed forces as a noncombatant, which would not require you to use a gun; you could serve as a medic and do good to those suffering? Why not?

Isn’t the doctrine of nonresistance impractical?

How can you consider it sinful to engage in carnal warfare when men like Joshua, David, and other faithful men of god were great warriors?