God's Word to the Wise

A Word to the Wise

Is a disciple of Jesus permitted to violently resists the civil authority?

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1-7)

Nero was Caesar when Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote this to the disciples in Rome. Church historian Phillip Schaff wrote that Nero “heaped crime upon crime until he became a proverbial monster of iniquity.” The outrages he committed are beyond imagination. Some biblical historians believed Nero was the first antichrist of which Scripture speaks in the New Testament.

Many evangelicals today believe there is a God given right to violently oppose an unsavory, tyrannical, government. God has not granted such a right. In fact he says, “…whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:2b – Emphasis included)

I have witnessed “Believers” say, “They, (government personnel) will have to pry my weapon out of my cold, dead, fingers.” In other words, they will kill anyone who attempts to enforce the will of the civil authority. God says such a person will, “Bring judgment on themselves.” 

“Casey, are you saying disciple of Jesus should peacefully surrender to them?” Actually, God says it. I’m simply repeating His Word. -MORE TO COME-