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- Human government is a derived authority. Those in authority are described as “the servant [s] of God” (Rom. 13:4) and “ministers of God” (Rom. 13:6). Those who reject governmental authority reject God’s authority (Rom. 13:2). It is also a limited authority.
www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/the-purpose-and-role-of-government/
Jan 16, 2017 · To understand why, we must look at the New Testament’s explanation of the origin and function of government under God. This issue is clearly dealt with by the Apostle Paul in the thirteenth chapter of his epistle to the Romans. Romans 13 begins: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.
Discover the meaning of Government in the Bible. Study the definition of Government with multiple Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias and find scripture references in the Old and New Testaments.
3 days ago · Basically, the biblical role of government is to act as a guide, leader, and authority over the people. While God is our ultimate king, our earthly kings—in the form of rulers, as well as oppressive systems such as the Babylonian Empire and the Roman Empire—are to be the authority on earth.
- Government Provides Earthly Justice and Protection.
- Governments Are to Act on Behalf of The Good of All People (Rom. 13:4).
- Government Creates Social Space For The Display of Good Conduct.
- Government Often Serves to Sanctify Christians.
Civil governments act as God’s agents of justice. Romans 13:4 says, “For he [the magistrate, the government’s representative] is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” Ultimate justice and vengeance belong to God alone (Deut. 32:35; Ps. 94:1; Rom. 12:19; 1 Thess. 4:6). Yet governments “bear the sword” (Rom. 13...
This is not merely social justice based on secular human rights; it is essentially rooted in the purposeful and gracious creation of humanity by God in his own image (Gen. 1:26–27). It is right, therefore, for Christians to seek to influence governments to protect society’s weakest members, including the poor (Ex. 23:6), foreigners (Ex. 22:21; Deut...
God instituted government to establish ordered and peaceful social space where not only is judgment carried out, but good is recognized and encouraged (see 1 Pet. 2:14). Government leaders should not be “a terror to good conduct” (Rom. 13:3). Rather, as Paul states, “Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and y...
Throughout world history various governments have been, to greater and lesser degrees, a challenge to Christians and the church. Often these situations have been used toward the sanctification and good of God’s people (see Rom. 8:28). Obedience and disobedience to civil government at their appropriate times are both challenges and opportunities for...
Anytime a civil government requires a Christian to do what God forbids or forbids them to do what God commands, then the person must disobey. But our basic posture toward government, according to the New Testament, is to be submissive and obedient citizens of the state.
The Bible is profoundly ambivalent about government. In what must be the best-known passage on the subject, Jesus is asked whether it is right to pay taxes to Caesar or not (Mt 22.15–22). Having drawn attention to Caesar’s image on a denarius, he replies, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’.
Whether it be a tribal chief, a dictator, or a democratically elected parliament, there is an organ of government and that government exercises authority over those who are subject to its jurisdiction.
