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Since this describes what authorities SHOULD do, and explains that authorities inflict GOD’S wrath, it follows that when they do not operate within their God-given authority, our responsibility to submit to them goes away with respect to that issue at hand.

Conclusion: This text does not command Christians to submit to authorities when they command you to sin, for they are no longer functioning as God’s messengers at that point.

1 Peter 2:11-17

This text teaches essentially the same thing as Romans 13, with a few additions

Verse 12 teaches us of our need to conduct ourselves in a manner that does not bring unnecessary reproach upon the Name of Jesus.

Neither this text nor Romans 13 give us allowance for disobeying unjust laws. They only give us allowance for disobeying laws that clearly necessitate our disobedience to God’s Written Word. (see 1 Pet. 2:18-20; Matt. 5:41)

Conclusion: While this text too does not command us to obey authorities when they mandate that we sin, it does shed light on our present issue by explaining to us our great need to live honorably in sight of the world.

Hebrews 10:19-25

Question: Does verse 25 command us to meet together?

Immediate context: Hold fast your confession

Two questions about the text:

If we are fulfilling the spirit of the command, does it matter if we disobey the specific precept?

If we are not making a habit of neglecting to meet together, does this command apply to us?

More to the point of question two: “Is the precept to not make a habit of not meeting, or to not forsake meeting at all? Answer: Don’t forsake meeting, period.

Answer to question 2: Yes, I believe it is sin even if we obey the spirit, but not the precept. My logic is that these two are so inextricably tied together in the authors mind. Beyond that, it would seem that we lose all biblical grounds from this text to ensure that believers “meet together”. Additionally, there are many other reasons for meeting other than encouragement and exhortation that cannot be fully obeyed without meeting together.

Acts 25:6-12

Do we have biblical precedent to oppose our government on civil grounds and not just biblical grounds? Answer: YES!

3 Main Responses

Submit in everything

Submit in public

Don’t submit

Our conclusion is that option 3 is the most biblical approach considering all the biblical data.

We want to be clear, however, that we respect and recognize the high potential for a godly Christian to fall anywhere on this spectrum and that they can have biblical support for any of these positions. This is not a black and white matter.

Therefore, since this is the case, we MUST be extremely gracious to one another wherever anyone falls on this. If we’re going to be dogmatic about anything, let’s make sure it’s about the clear things in Scripture such as our need to honor everyone, not slander, be patient, and pray fervently.

Cautions & Reminders

Don’t abuse the civil rights argument

Realize that, biblical speaking, we can only resist from a civil standpoint within our current civil liberties.

Priorities in motivation do matter

Prayer is our main means of enacting justice

Pray for Janet Mills

1 Tim. 2:1-2

This text is quite clear that we are to pray for all those who are in authority. Not only are we to intercede on their behalf, but we are to give thanks as well.

Ps. 72

In light of this text and the 1st Timothy passage, I want to suggest 4 things you should be praying for Janet Mills.

That she would defend the cause of the poor and needy (vs 4)

That she would crush the oppressor and evildoers (vs 4)

That the righteous would flourish under her leadership (vs 7)

That God would bless her [long life, good health, prosperity, etc] (vs 15)

That God would save her from her sins (1 Tim. 2:4)

Remember Jesus Christ

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