17 Civil Government

Foundational Doctrines:

The Christian and Government

Text:  Romans 13:1-7

Aim:  To show the biblical perspective of a Christian’s relationship to their government and what a Christ-like attitude toward government looks like.

Introduction:

1.      Isaiah speaks of Jesus and government:

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

2.      God has established three institutions:

a.      the home (Gen. 2:18-25)

b.       the government (Gen 9:1-7)

c.       the church (Matthew 10:1-5)

3.      Most Christians do not understand what their relationship to their government should be.

“We believe that civil government is of Divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.”

4.      To understand the significance of this doctrine we need to understand its context.

a.      Under what conditions did Jesus say, “Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s?” (Matthew 22:17)

b.       What kind of situation was Paul facing when he penned these words?

5.      The political conditions during the life of Jesus.

a.      Alexander the Great popularized Greek culture, language, and way of life.

Second, he built a network of almost thirty Greek cities throughout the empire, a building program that was expanded by later Hellenistic rulers. These became enclaves of Greek culture. Here gymnasia, baths, and theaters were built. The upper classes spoke koine Greek, wore Greek dress, absorbed Greek learning, adopted Greek customs, and took part in Greek athletics. Palestine, the land of the ancient Hebrews, or Israelites (now known as "Jews," from the word Judah), was no exception to this phenomenon. Furthermore, the process of Hellenization continued through the beginning of the Roman Empire (27 B.C.E.) and beyond, for the Romans perpetuated Greek culture.

b.       Upon the death of Alexander his empire was divided among three main generals who constantly tried to expand their influence.

c.       The growth of Rome and its mighty military advanced its power and influence but maintained and encouraged the Greek culture.

Thus the Roman Empire was born in 27 B.C.E., and Octavian, called Caesar Augustus, was its first emperor. Augustus was a wise ruler. He secured the borders of the empire and built roads. The result was a new era of peace and stability (the pax Romana). He reorganized the provinces to achieve a more just administration, instituted tax reform, developed a civil service, and engaged in many public works projects, especially in Rome. It was during his reign that Jesus of Nazareth was born.

d.       Thus Jesus lived under the strong influence of Greek culture and language and strong Roman laws of government.

6.      The politics of Rome in Paul’s time.

a.      Note that this passage is found in Paul’s letter to the local church that is meeting in the capital city of Rome.

b.       The Roman Empire was weakening due to lack of quality leaders.

c.       When Claudius was poisoned by his fourth wife Agrippina, Nero (54-68 C.E.), who was Agrippina's son by a previous marriage, became emperor.

i.        Though at first the empire ran smoothly under the direction of the philosopher Seneca, Nero took control and things began to deteriorate.

ii.     He poisoned Claudius' son, executed his own wife, and arranged for the assassination of his mother.

iii.   In 64 C.E. a great fire devastated Rome, and Nero found his scapegoat in the Christians.

iv.    Tradition has it that Peter and Paul were martyred by Nero.

v.       Finally, matters got so bad that military commanders seized several provinces and Nero fled the royal palace -- the last of the Augustan family rulers committed suicide in 68 C.E.

d.       Widespread unrest in the empire and chaos at home led to a quick succession of emperors: Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, each military commanders vying for power as the next Emperor.

e.      In 69 C.E., Vespasian, a seasoned commander who had been dispatched to Palestine to crush a full-scale Jewish revolt that had broken out (66-70 C.E.) was popularly acclaimed emperor.

f.        Vespasian provided a decade of peace and prosperity for the empire (69-79 C.E.) reminiscent of the Augustan era.

g.       Similarly Vespasian's son and successor, Titus, who had concluded the war with the Jews, reigned wisely for two years (79-81 C.E.).

h.      But a second son of Vespasian, Domitian (81-96 C.E.), was a tyrant of the first order.

i.        He relied on informers, had his enemies murdered, and laid a heavy tax on the people of the empire, especially the Jews.

ii.     Enamored with his own divinity, he also persecuted the Christians, and it is his reign that provides the backdrop for the most anti-Roman book in the New Testament, the book of Revelation.

i.        The following Flavian emperors, as they are called, were some of Rome's best: Nerva (96-98 C.E.), Trajan (98-117 C.E.), Hadrian (117-138 C.E.), Antonius Plus (138-161 C.E.), and the Stoic philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 C.E.).

j.        Chaotic times and despotic governments did not change the clear teaching of scripture:

Romans 13:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

7.      Notice three biblical principles regarding the Christians relationship to government.

I.       The Sovereignty of God

A.      The starting point is accepting the sovereignty of God.

B.      Therefore, all who exercise authority do so because God so ordained.

1.      Pharaoh, persecutor of the children of Israel.

2.      Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon.

3.      Adolph Hitler, murderer of Jews

4.      Mao Zedong, despotic dictator.

5.      Other immoral and lying officials.

C.     The defying or disobedience of civil authority ordained by God is disobeying God.

II.    The Power or Force of Gov’t

A.      All governments are based on force to establish and enforce laws for an organized, peaceful society.

1.      Forced to pay taxes.

2.      Forced to serve in the military.

3.      Must obey the laws of the land.

B.      The power of the sword is for the purpose of…

1.      Protecting its citizens from enemies outside and within the state.

2.      Establish, maintaining and exercising justice.

C.     Areas in which Christians cannot recognize authority of the gov’t

1.      Evangelism (Acts 4-5)

2.      Morality – not gov’t has the right to command Christians to conduct immoral or non-Christian acts.

3.      Civil disobedience –refers to gov’t immorality and the Christians responsibility to change it.

III. The Conscience of Mankind

Romans 13:5 (NKJV)
5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.[1]

There is an enormous difference here between the use of conscience by secular writers and its characteristic biblical use. The reason is that God has quickened the Christian’s moral nature so that he or she not only knows what is right as opposed to what is wrong but also has been given a true desire and ability to do what conscience demands.[2]

A.      Christians have a higher motive for obeying  rules/law than others have.

1.      Obedience is right because, being responsible moral agents, we ought to do the right thing.

2.      We must be examples of upholding the law…

If you take obedience to the laws of the country lightly—if you say, “Well, everyone is doing it” or “They’re crazy laws anyway” or “It’s not my law; I didn’t write it or vote for it”—if you do that, then you are contributing to a spirit of lawlessness that will issue in anarchy and eventually lead to the loss of civil liberties and to a dictatorial government.[3]

B.      We have a deeper sense of disobedience when civil disobedience becomes necessary.

C.     Christians must exercise our conscience.

1.      Anti-abortion and murder of babies.

2.      Against pornography.

3.      Against homosexuality.

4.      Defending biblical families.

Conclusion: 

1.      We recognize Almighty God as Supreme and Sovereign. We seek to obey Him at all cost.

2.      We are to seek the good of our country and do nothing or join in nothing that tends to disturb or destroy the peace.

3.      We are to do everything in our power to promote the welfare and peace of our society.

a.      Everyone should be in church!

b.       Everyone should submit to the Word of God.

4.      Teach our children to be law-abiding citizens.

Benediction:

Jude 24-25 (KJV)
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.[4]

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[1]  The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

[2]James Montgomery Boice, Romans (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1991-c1995), 1666.

[3]James Montgomery Boice, Romans (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1991-c1995), 1666.

[4]  The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995