1. Submission to the authorities
Romans 13: 1-5, NIV
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Note: ‘for rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong’. Verse 3a
2. Disobeying the authorities
Peter and John were being tried by the Jewish leaders (the Sanhedrin) who pronounced their verdict: Acts 4: 16 -20, NIV
16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
A similar event took place on another occasion: Acts 5: 27 -29, NIV
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
Although in these examples, the authorities were religious, the same could apply if rules were given by the state.
Tony Campolo, in his book entitled ‘Choose Love not Power’ sums it up neatly:
I believe that it is possible to practice civil disobedience and simultaneously obey the command of Scripture to be subject to the authority of the state, even when the state orders violate the Christian conscience. This paradox is possible because the government always gives people two alternatives. These two alternatives are : Do what we tell you or Submit to our punishment. Down through the ages, Christians have at times found it necessary to refuse to obey the government, but when they disobeyed, they usually submitted to the government’s punishment for their disobedience.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
