INSTRUCTIVE COMPARISONS #10
In reference to: SUBMISSION
Romans 13:1-7... Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God. 2: Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3: 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. 4: For he is Gods minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is Gods minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5: Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake. 6: For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are Gods ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7: Render therefore to all their due; taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
1 Peter 2:13-15... Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14: or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15: For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men
There will likely be an immediate negative response to this scriptural demand to be in submission to govt authorities. And with good reason, for much of what is now law in many countries is absolutely contrary to scripture, and is well on the way here in the good ole U.S.A. Wont go into detail, but you likely know what is referred to.
So what about the dilemma one faces when a demand is made by the authorities that one must do something that is contrary to scripture/conscience? Please read the whole of Daniel Chapter 6 for Gods opinion in the O.T. and then Acts Chapters 3 & 4 to get the N.T. take when one appears before the constituted authority for opposing rules contrary to scripture and for preaching the gospel.
Peter and John were arrested and forced to appear before the rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, etc. i.e. the governing authorities.
Those governing authorities ... commanded them (Peter and John) not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4;18)
But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (Vs.19).
O.K . We are instructed to obey the authorities/laws as long as they do not violate scripture. But if they do violate scripture, then we continue our obedience by submitting to the penalties for our dis-obedience. Make sense?
Shalom WAB
