Article 11: Civil Authority
This We Believe • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro:
Intro:
While on earth, we will have interactions with governments and civil authorities. While it is true, we are citizens of God’s Kingdom, we are also citizens of communities, counties, states, national, and even international systems.
Throughout the centuries, there has been much conflict between churches, Christians and civil authorities.
Big issues;
State religions- the government chooses one religion and outlaws or deeply restricts all others.
Tax issues
tax except with strings
we don’t pay taxes
Recent years that is being used to silence us on “political issues”
Can you think of other issues?
Human government was instituted by God to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. It is separate from the church, though both church and state exercise complementary ministries for the benefit of society ().
Human government was instituted by God to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. It is separate from the church, though both church and state exercise complementary ministries for the benefit of society ().
They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Purpose of Government-
protect the innocent
punish the guilty
Separate from Church
We answer to Christ alone
Church and state exercise complementary ministries
They benefit society
both are moral restrainers
laws to curtail behaviors such as theft, murder, etc.
commands and principles about how to treat each other
Both are benevolent forces
Rescuers, first repsonders, etc.
Charitable deeds
feed hungry, take in orphans, etc.
Christians should submit to the authority of the government under which they live, obeying all laws which do not contradict the laws of God, respecting officers of government, paying taxes, rendering military service, and praying for the welfare of the nation and its leaders (; , ; , ). They should vote, hold office, and exercise influence to direct the nation after the principles of Holy Scripture.
Christians should submit to the authority of the government under which they live, obeying all laws which do not contradict the laws of God, respecting officers of government, paying taxes, rendering military service, and praying for the welfare of the nation and its leaders (; , ; , ). They should vote, hold office, and exercise influence to direct the nation after the principles of Holy Scripture.
Us to the Government
Christians should submit to the authority of the government under which they live,
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
1 Peter 1
obeying all laws which do not contradict the laws of God,
respecting officers of government,
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
paying taxes,
paying taxes,
rendering military service,
praying for the welfare of the nation and its leaders
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Us in the government
They should vote, hold office, and exercise influence to direct the nation after the principles of Holy Scripture
we can participate in our government
vote
hold office
we must influence
elect candidates with similar morals
Protecting right to life of the unborn
Protecting religious liberty
dangerous times
moral issues have become political
abortion, homosexual marriages, transgender, etc.
Some are labeling any discussion of these issues:
political speech- thus trying to silence us under tax law
hate speech- many are willing to give up freedom of speech if it is deemed “hate speech”
Sadly, reading what the Bible says counts as hate speech if it declares a behavior is sin.
Civil authority is not to interfere in matters of conscience or disturb the institutions of religion (), but it should preserve for every citizen the free exercise of his religious convictions.
Civil authority is not to interfere in matters of conscience or disturb the institutions of religion (), but it should preserve for every citizen the free exercise of his religious convictions.
Because Christ the head of the of the church, His word trumps all laws
, when arrested and threatened for preaching Jesus, Peter and John were told to stop.
So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Principle: we can disobey any law which violates God’s law
, when arrested and threatened for preaching Jesus, Peter and John were told to stop.
If they say don’t pray, pray anyway.
If they say you can’t read the Bible, keep reading
If they say you can no longer witness, keep witnessing.
We should expect government to preserve religious liberty
Note- this is distinctly American
Hover, the UN declared this:
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
In 1966 the UN adopted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, expanding its prior statement to address the manifestation of religion or belief.
In 1966 the UN adopted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, expanding its prior statement to address the manifestation of religion or belief.
Article 18 of the Civil and Political Covenant is widely regarded as one of the most important—if not the most important—articles on freedom of religion or belief. It reads:
Article 18 of the Civil and Political Covenant is widely regarded as one of the most important—if not the most important—articles on freedom of religion or belief. It reads:
1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.
2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.
3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
4. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.
1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.
2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.
They should preserve our religious freedom, but sadly, many nations do not.
3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
4. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.
Churches should receive no subsidy from the government, but they should be exempt from taxation on property and money used for the common good through worship, education, or benevolence.
Churches should receive no subsidy from the government, but they should be exempt from taxation on property and money used for the common good through worship, education, or benevolence.
This is distinctly American
It grows out of the other Biblical beliefs
The idea that we are 2 separate institutions in society
With subsidies would come strings
However, tax except status also has its strings attached.
we are recognized as tax exempt like other non-profit organizations.
To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.
Purposes: charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and preventing cruelty to children or animals.
The term charitable is used in its generally accepted legal sense and includes relief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged;
advancement of religion; advancement of education or science; erecting or maintaining public buildings, monuments, or works;
lessening the burdens of government; lessening neighborhood tensions; eliminating prejudice and discrimination; defending human and civil rights secured by law; and combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
