THE
BIBLE PRAYER LINE – Bible Questions Answered
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Bible
Prayer Line Index
Bible Questions Answered:
“OK,
Pastor, here's my question today. Should Christians ever not listen
to the government?...”
Paul/
Greenbelt, Maryland U.S./A.
Bible Answer:
Bible Texts:
Here is what the Apostle Paul, and Peter, had to say.
Romans
13:1-8 NLT
13
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority
comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed
there by God.
2
So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God
has instituted, and they will be punished.
3
For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right,
but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear
of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.
4
The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you
are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the
power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very
purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
5
So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to
keep a clear conscience.
6
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers
need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
7
Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government
fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those
who are in authority.
I Peter 2:13-17 NLT (Respecting People in
Authority)
13
For The Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the
king as head of state,
14
or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to
punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
15
It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those
ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.
16
For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your
freedom as an excuse to do evil.
17
Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and
respect the king.
Alright that is clear, but as we know, there are two
sides to every coin.
What if a government is not a Godly government? What
then?
Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States,
wrote of the separation of church and state.
Thomas Jefferson also stated that it was a Christian's
duty to rebel against any government that has become tyrannical. That
is commanding it's people to go against the commandments of God, and
or admonishing the doing of things thought wrong by God.
Acts
5:26-29 NLT
26
The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles,
but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone
them.
27
Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the
high priest confronted them.
28
“We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this Man’s
name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your
teaching about Him, and you want to make us responsible for
His
death!”
29
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather
than any human authority.
(Acts
5:29 KJV"...We ought to obey God rather than men.)
30
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed
Him by hanging Him on a cross.
Christians must always have the right to say no to
things which we consider wrong or immoral!
Daniel
3:8-25 NLT
8
But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the
Jews.
9
They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king!
10
You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship
the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither,
lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also
states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing
furnace.
12
But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you
have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention
to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not
worship the gold statue you have set up.”
13
Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought
in,
14
Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold
statue I have set up?
15
I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I
have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if
you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace.
And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
16
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do
not need to defend ourselves before you.
17
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is
able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.
18
But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your
Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold
statue you have set up.”
The
Blazing Furnace
19
Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the
furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual.
20
Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing
furnace.
21
So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed
in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments.
22
And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in
the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three
men in.
23
So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the
roaring flames.
24
But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to
his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the
furnace?”
“Yes,
Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
25
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound,
walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a
God!”
Prayer:
Numbers
6:24-26 KJV
24
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
25
The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
