What Baptists Believe About Civil Government.

Prayer: That God's blessing will rest upon our nation.
 

XVI OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; (1) and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; (2) except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (3) who is the only Lord of the conscience. and the
Prince of the kings of the earth!(4)
 

Places in the Bible where taught.

1. Rom. 13:1-7. The powers that be are ordained of God. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Deut. 16:18; 2 Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:23; Jer. 30:2 1.

2. Matt. 22:21. Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God, the things that are God's. Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1 -8.

3. Acts 5:29. We ought to obey God rather than man. Matt. 10:28. Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Dan. 3:15 - 18; 6:7 - 10;
Acts 4:18-20.

4. Matt. 23:10. Ye have one Master, even Christ. Rom. 14:4. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? Rev. 19:16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Ps. 72:11;
PS. 2;   Rom. 14:9-13.





Discussion by Leader:

1. What the Bible means when it tells us to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's.

2. A Christian is a citizen of two countries; an earthly and a heavenly.





Parts for Assignment:

1. Civil government ordained of the Lord.

2. Civil authorities are to be prayed for by all Christians.

3. Exceptions to the second part.

4. The relationship of Christ to all civil governments.





Discussion Questions:

1. How many different kinds of government are there? Republic, Democratic, Limited Monarchy, Absolute Monarchy, Theocracy, Communism or Dictatorship, Oligarchy. What is our form of government? Why?

2. What kind of a government should Baptists support and obey? The government under which we live. In China, the Chinese government; in England, the English government; in Germany, the German government, etc. Under what government did the Apostle Paul live? Was it good or bad? What did Paul tell Christians to do?
Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-15; 1 Tim. 2:1-2.

3. What should Baptists do for the government? Pray for the officials. Render obedience to civil law. Pay taxes. Matt. 22:21. Jesus paid taxes.

4. Is human government of the Devil? Rom. 13:1-8. Government is ordained of God. Rom. 13:1. To refuse to obey civil government is to be in disobedience to God, Rom. 13:2. Rulers are not a terror to good works. The law punishes evil, not good. Ministers of law are needed in government as well as ministers of the gospel church. Tribute means taxes. Rom. 13:6-7.

5. Is there ever a time when Baptists should disobey or violate the law? Acts 5:29; Acts 4:18-20. When the law interferes with our right to worship God then we must worship regardless of consequences. When the law would compel us to violate God's law then we must ignore the law.

 

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Midi playing is; "The King is Coming"