Civil Government

Biblical Model of Government

Sovereignty (Legitimacy to Rule)

Representation (Accountability to the rule of another)

Law (A moral code by which to rule)

Jurisdiction (Authority to enforce sanctions in the name of the ruler)

Continuity (Stability and longevity of government)

Civil Sovereignty

God rules over the kingdoms of men and appoints over it whomever He chooses (Dan 5:21, Isa 9:6-7, Pro 8:15-16)

Doctrine of preservation (God created and actively sustains all things)

Doctrine of providence (God governs all of creation)

God gives true authority to those He places over us. (Rom 13:1)

The claim of authority does not validate the claim, no government is autonomous (law unto itself).

When a nation chooses its authority, it has chosen its god.

Paul in calling rulers “ministers” of God is describing what a ruler’s proper function is. They ought to minister as Jesus ministered.

Isaiah 9:6–7 NKJV

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. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Proverbs 8:15–16 NKJV

By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.

Daniel 5:21 NKJV

Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

Romans 13:1 NKJV

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.

Civil Representation

Adam and Eve were first given authority to govern themselves, the garden God had given them, the animals that God had placed in their care, and the earth that He had created. (Gen 1:26-28)

Principles rather than prescription:

Old testament law was grounded in law not in the will of the people or the will of the ruler.

Consent of the governed (Exo 19:8)

Jethro’s advice to Moses in Exodus 18

Genesis 1:26–28 NKJV

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Exodus 19:8 NKJV

Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.

Civil Law

Civil governments essential function is justice and godly order. (Rom 13:3-4)

As sin increased so did the development and need for civil government. (Gen 9:6)

The rulers in the realm of civil government, who are ministers of God, must rule according to God’s law, the standard of good and evil. No government has the freedom to rule by some arbitrary man-centered standard of good and evil. The State is a true minister when it operates according to biblical absolutes.

All law is a declaration of morality.

The only services that civil magistrates are to render are those that administer justice, protect law-abiding citizens, and punish the lawless.

The civil government has the authority and power to collect a tax for certain services that it renders.

A distinction between sins and crimes.

Hate and murder for instance, hate is a sin but not a crime, murder is a sin and a crime. We are all responsible to God for sins but we should only be responsible to the civil government for crimes.

Crimes are also, not always sins.

Romans 13:1–7 NKJV

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. 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.

Genesis 9:6 NKJV

“Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.

Civil Jurisdiction

Only civil authorities, under the government of God, have the legal right and duty to wield the sword to punish evil doers. (Rom 13:3-4)

When faced with a choice between obeying God or man we are to obey God. (Acts 5:27-29)

Acts 5:27–29 NKJV

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 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.

Civil Continuity

Rulers are admonished by God to rule justly. (Psalm 82:2-4)

Civil government ultimately exists to allow for the spread of the gospel. (1 Tim 2:1-4)

Psalm 82:2–4 NKJV

How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.

1 Timothy 2:1–4 NKJV

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.