Gavin Howe
The Bible states that Christians should follow the governing authorities placed by God and obey the laws of the government. However, it also mentions that Christians should prioritize God's laws over any other authority, including the government, and that an unjust law is no law at all. This raises the question of when it is acceptable for Christians to break the law. The Bible provides examples of civil disobedience, such as when the apostles refused to obey the governing authorities and continued to share their faith, and when Jesus and his disciples broke the law by picking grain on the Sabbath. These instances suggest that Christians can break the law when it conflicts with their religious beliefs or ethical values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Christians should follow the law | Romans says Christians should follow governing authorities |
| Christians should break the law when it contradicts the Bible | Christians should not obey the law if it causes them to sin |
| Christians should obey God first | God's law is above the law of the land |
| Christians should love their neighbours | Wearing a face mask during a pandemic demonstrates love and concern for neighbours |
| Christians should not be lawless | Breaking the law is being lawless and is a sin |
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What You'll Learn
Christians should follow governing authorities
The Bible states that Christians should submit to governing authorities, as these authorities have been placed there by God. In Romans 13:1, the apostle Paul writes, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers". Peter also writes, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority" (1 Peter 2:13). These passages indicate that Christians should follow the laws set by their governments.
However, there are exceptions to this. Acts 5:29 states, "We must obey God rather than any human authority". This suggests that when there is a conflict between God's commands and the commands of human authorities, Christians should prioritize following God's laws. For instance, in the book of Acts, the apostles were told by governing authorities to stop sharing their faith with others. The apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than any human authority" (Acts 5:27-29).
Christians are called to love God above all else and to love their neighbors as themselves. This includes loving their enemies. Therefore, Christians should prioritize God's laws of love and ethics over any earthly laws that may contradict these commandments.
It is worth noting that some interpret Romans 13 as not being about obeying governing authorities at all. Instead, they argue that Christians should focus on loving God and their neighbors, and that dissent and civil disobedience can be important tools to fight injustice and uphold God's laws.
In conclusion, while Christians are generally instructed to follow governing authorities, there are exceptions. Christians should prioritize God's laws when they conflict with earthly laws, and they should be willing to engage in civil disobedience if it means upholding God's commandments and ethics.
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God's law comes first
The Bible makes it clear that Christians are to follow the governing authorities that God has placed over them. According to the Bible, "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." As such, when we rebel against the authorities God has placed in our lives, we disobey God and will receive our just punishment.
However, there are times when Christians may need to break the law. A Christian should only break the law when that authority contradicts God's law and would cause a believer to sin. For example, in the book of Acts, the governing authorities of the day told the apostles not to share their faith with others. The apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than any human authority."
Another example is when King Ahasuerus demanded that Queen Vashti display her body for him, she refused, even though this was a direct violation of the king's edict. Ultimately, she paid a high price for her civil disobedience, as the king stripped her of her royal position and banished her from his presence.
In addition, the very first public act of Jesus and the disciples was to break the law by picking grain on the Sabbath (Mk 2:23). This was just the first of many provocative, rule-breaking actions. Jesus commanded his followers to follow God's law first and foremost - to love God above all else and to love their neighbors as themselves.
In summary, while Christians are generally expected to follow the governing authorities, there may be times when obeying God's law takes precedence and requires them to break the laws of the land.
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Christians should share their faith
The Bible makes it clear that Christians are to follow the governing authorities that God has placed over them. According to the Bible, "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." As such, Christians should share their faith, but with caution and respect for others' beliefs.
Christians are called to share their faith and spread the gospel, but this does not mean forcing beliefs on others or being disrespectful or judgmental. In fact, Christians should be mindful of their approach and ensure that they are not infringing on others' religious freedoms or making people feel uncomfortable. One of the best ways to share faith is to lead by example and live a godly life. By showing compassion, caring for others, and meeting their needs, Christians can demonstrate the positive impact of their faith without being preachy or imposing.
Additionally, Christians can share their faith by asking questions and listening to others' stories and beliefs. This approach allows for natural conversations about faith to arise, rather than forcing the topic or making others feel cornered. It is important to remember that sharing faith is not about converting others but about sharing personal experiences and perspectives. Each Christian has a unique story to tell about how their faith has impacted their life, and sharing this can be a powerful way to connect with others.
However, there may be times when believers in Christ should break the law made by governing bodies. This is supported by the Bible, which mentions instances of civil disobedience where individuals chose to follow God's law over that of governing authorities. For example, in Acts 5:27-29, the apostles were told by the high council not to teach in the name of Jesus, but they replied, "We must obey God rather than any human authority." Similarly, in Exodus 15, the Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Purah refused to obey the king's edict to kill Hebrew baby boys, choosing to fear God instead.
Ultimately, Christians should strive to share their faith in a respectful and compassionate manner, recognizing that each person has the freedom to choose their own beliefs. While following the law is generally encouraged, there may be times when a Christian's faith and values conflict with governing authorities, and in these cases, they may choose to peacefully disobey, accepting the potential consequences.
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God establishes and removes governments
The Bible makes it clear that Christians are to follow the governing authorities that God has placed over them. In the Bible, Romans 13:1 states that "everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." As such, when people rebel against authority, they are rebelling against what God has instituted and will be punished.
The Bible also mentions that governing authorities are God's servants and are raised for the good of the people, enforcing order and preventing chaos and lawlessness. In 1 Timothy 2:1–3, Paul urges his disciple Timothy to "pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." Christians are thus called to obey their leaders, pay taxes, abide by the laws, and show respect.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Christians should only follow governing authorities as long as they do not contradict God's laws and the Bible, and would not cause a believer to sin. In Acts 5:29, the apostle Peter defends preaching the gospel in Jerusalem by stating, "We must obey God rather than any human authority." This highlights that Christians have a duty to disobey human authority if it conflicts with God's law.
In conclusion, while God establishes and removes governments, and Christians are generally expected to follow governing authorities, there are situations where believers in Christ should break the law when it contradicts their religious beliefs and God's laws.
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Ethics over laws
The Bible offers conflicting messages about when individuals can break the law. On the one hand, several passages emphasise the importance of obeying governing authorities, suggesting that breaking the law is tantamount to rebelling against God. For instance, Romans instructs believers to "submit to the governing authorities" because "all authority comes from God". Similarly, 1 Peter 2:13-15 states that believers should " [s]ubmit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution".
However, the Bible also contains numerous examples of civil disobedience, where characters break the law because it conflicts with God's law. A notable instance of this is found in Acts 5:27-29, where the apostles continue to share their faith despite being told not to by the governing authorities. When confronted, they reply, "We must obey God rather than any human authority".
Another example is found in Exodus 15, where the Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Purah defy the King of Egypt's command to kill Hebrew baby boys. They fear God and choose to obey His law over the king's edict, engaging in civil disobedience to protect the children.
Additionally, Jesus and his disciples often engaged in provocative, rule-breaking actions. One instance is recorded in Mark 2:23, where Jesus and his disciples break the law by picking grain on the Sabbath. Jesus' actions and teachings emphasise the importance of loving God and loving one's neighbour, even one's enemies. This love for others may sometimes supersede man-made laws, as illustrated by the example of wearing face masks during a pandemic, which demonstrates love and concern for the wellbeing of others.
Ultimately, while the Bible instructs believers to follow governing authorities, it also provides examples of characters who break the law when it conflicts with God's law or when it prevents them from fulfilling God's commands, such as sharing their faith. As St. Augustine said, "An unjust law is no law at all." Therefore, ethics, as dictated by God, take precedence over the laws of the land.
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Frequently asked questions
Christians should follow governing authorities as mentioned in Romans. However, according to the Bible, Christians can break the law when that authority contradicts God's law and would cause a believer to sin.
The Bible says, "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted and will be punished.
Here are a few examples of civil disobedience in the Bible:
- The Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Purah, refused to obey the King of Egypt's command to kill Hebrew baby boys (Exodus 15).
- Queen Vashti refused to obey King Ahasuerus' demand to show off her body.
- Jesus and the disciples broke the law by picking grain on the Sabbath.
According to the Bible, sin is lawlessness and a violation of God's standard. When you break God's laws or the government's laws, you are being lawless and sinning. For example, breaking the speed limit or killing a deer without a license is considered a sin.
In Acts 4:18-19, Peter and John said, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge." This suggests that when a government's law contradicts God's law, believers should obey God rather than the government.
