Questions to Answer

  1. God gave civil government the authority to do what jobs?
  2. Under what conditions does God require us to practice civil disobedience or civil non-participation?
  3. Is there a time when it is wise and morally justifiable to submit to an out-of-order government?
  4. To what extent is it wise to avoid entanglements with an out-of-order government?
  5. When is it a time for revolution?
  6. Should Christians work towards establishing a civil government on Biblical principles?
  7. What are God’s principles for establishing and operating a wise and righteous civil government?
  8. How are oaths, contracts and civil obligations binding?

Righteous Civil Disobedience

  1. Exodus 1:17. The Midwives disobey the command of Pharaoh by not killing the Israelite newborn sons.
  2. Exodus 2:3. Moses’ parents hide him from Pharaoh’s law. (Hebrews 11:23.)
  3. Joshua 2:3-4. Rahab hides the spies from the king of Jeriko.
  4. Judges 6:11. Gideon hides his grain to keep the Midianite rulers from confiscating it.
  5. First Samuel 14:28. Jonathan disobeys his father Saul by eating honey, and the people disobey Saul by rescuing Jonathan from Saul.
  6. First Samuel 19:1-10. David flees from Saul’s death sentence.
  7. First Samuel 19:14-16. Michal deceives Saul’s servants about David’s location.
  8. First Samuel 21:2. David lies to Abimelich the priest saying that Saul gave him a commission when Saul had not.
  9. First Samuel 22:17. Saul’s footmen refuse to obey Saul by killing the priests of God.
  10. First Samuel 27:11. David deceives the Philistine king about his pillaging.
  11. Second Samuel 15-16. Hushai conspires with David to overthrow Absalom, who had taken the position of king.
  12. Second Samuel 17:19-20. Women hid the messengers in a well from Absalom’s soldiers.
  13. Second Chronicles 26:16-18. The priests stopped Uzziah the king from offering a sacrifice in the temple.
  14. Ezra 5:2, 13. The Jews resume the rebuilding of the temple and the wall of Jerusalem, disobeying Darius, but obeying the original command of Cyrus.
  15. Esther 3:2. Mordecai did not bow to Haman as the king Ahasuerus commanded.
  16. Daniel 3:16-18; 26-30. The three Jews disobeyed the king by not bowing to the golden image, therefore Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into the fiery furnace.
  17. Daniel 6:10-13. Daniel disobeys Darius in praying to God, and is thrown into the lions den.
  18. Matthew 2:12-13. The wise men and Joseph disobey Herod the king in trying to save Jesus.
  19. Acts 4:19; 5:29. Peter disobeys the Jewish leaders in order to preach the gospel of Christ.
  20. Acts 17:7. Jason harbors Christians against the command of Cesar.
  21. Revelation 14:9-12. The saints do not obey the beast by taking the mark of the beast.

Wicked Civil Obedience

  1. Judges15:9-12. The Israelites deliver Sampson to the Philistines lords.
  2. Second Samuel 11:14-25. Joab obeys king David in causing Uriah the Hittite to die in battle.
  3. First Kings 21:11. The elders of a city obey Jezebel by killing Naboth.
  4. Second Kings 16:15-16. The priests obey Ahaz by setting up a new pagan altar in the temple.
  5. First Kings 15:18-19. Second Chronicles 16:2-4. Without the counsel of God, Asa sent treasures to the king of Syria asking him to attack Israel and not Judah.
  6. Second Kings 12:18. Without the counsel of God, Jahoash sent treasures to the king of Syria so that he would not attack Jerusalem.
  7. Second Kings 16:7-9. Ahaz sent treasures to the king of Assyria acknowledging the king of Assyria as his lord, and asking him to attack Syria.
  8. Second Kings 18:14-16. The king of Assyria appointed a tribute from Hezekiah king of Judah, which Hezekiah paid.
  9. Micah 6:16. Israel is punished for obeying their kings.
  10. Hosea 5:1. Ephraim is punished for obeying their kings.
  11. Revelation 13:3-18. The people of the world do evil by obeying the beast.

Righteous Civil Obedience and Wicked Civil Disobedience

  1. Second Chronicles 36:13. Zedekiah disobeyed God by rebelling.
  2. Second Chronicles 36:23. God gave the kingdom of Israel to King Cyrus. (Ezra 1:2.)
  3. Isaiah 44:28-45:1. Cyrus is God’s servant.
  4. Jeremiah 24. God will bless those in captivity.
  5. Jeremiah 25. Because the nations would not repent, God will send Nebuchadnezzar His servant to take them captive for seventy years.
  6. Jeremiah 26. Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, for which the Jewish leaders would have killed him, except some of the princes saved him by acknowledging Jeremiah to be a true prophet.
  7. Jeremiah 27. God told all the nations to serve Nebuchadnezzar and prosper, or else rebel and suffer God’s wrath.
  8. Jeremiah 28. Hannaniah prophesied that Jerusalem should rebel against Nebuchadnezzar, but God killed him and reasserted that Jerusalem was to serve Nebuchadnezzar.
  9. Jeremiah 29. Jeremiah sent a letter from God to the Babylonian captives telling them not to rebel, but to settle down and prosper till God brought them back.
  10. Ezekiel 17:15-18. Zedekiah broke his word in rebelling.
  11. Daniel 2:37-38. All nations are to obey Nebuchadnezzar.

Taxes

  1. First Samuel 17:25. Saul made David’s father’s house free from paying taxes.
  2. Ezra 4:13. The jealous leaders from surrounding cities complain that if the Jews rebuilt Jerusalem then the Jews might stop paying taxes.
  3. Ezra 6:8. The rebuilding of Jerusalem was funded by Persian taxes.
  4. Ezra 7:24. The Persian king commanded that taxes not be levied on the Jewish religious leaders.
  5. Nehemiah 5:4. The poor Jews borrowed money from the rich Jews to pay Persian taxes.
  6. Matthew 17:24-27. Jesus’ disciples do not need to pay the temple tax. (Exodus 30:13. Temple tax.)
  7. Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26. Jesus says that taxes are due to Caesar when you use Caesar’s money (receive privileges and benefits from Caesar).
  8. Luke 2:1-3. Caesar taxed the whole world.
  9. Luke 3:12-13. John the Baptist commands the tax gatherers to gather taxes in a just manner.
  10. Luke 23:2. The Jews thought that Jesus forbade the paying of taxes.
  11. Acts 5:37. There was time when Rome taxed the people of all nations.

Duties and Powers of Civil Government

  1. Genesis 4:11-15. For Cain’s sake, God did not punish Cain for murdering his brother.
  2. Genesis 9:5-6. God commands Noah that all men are to put murderers to death.
  3. Exodus 21:12-14. Moses commands Israel that they are to put murderers to death.
  4. Exodus 21:22-25. Men are to punish a man who injures another man – eye for eye.
  5. Exodus 22:2. Moses commands that a man who catches a thief in the act of robbing and kills the thief, is not to be put to death himself.
  6. Numbers 35:16-21. Moses commands Israel that they are to put murderers to death.
  7. Deuteronomy 1:16-17. Judges are to judge righteously between men.
  8. Deuteronomy 25:1. Judges are to judge righteous and just judgments.
  9. Joshua 1:16-18. Israel promises to obey Joshua’s commands, and put to death all that disobey.
  10. Psalm 72:1-2. We pray that God would cause the king to be just, and let him and his heirs judge the people righteously.
  11. Psalm 82:2-4. Judges should defend the poor and needy from the wicked.
  12. Isaiah 1:17. Learn to do justice by relieving the poor and oppressed and by pleading for the less fortunate.
  13. Luke 20:20. The Roman governor had power and authority.
  14. John 19:10-11. Pilate says that he has the power to kill Jesus.
  15. Revelation 13:10. Those who kill will be killed.

Duties of Citizens and Advice on Attitude towards Civil Government

  1. Exodus 22:28. Israel should not speak evil of God, nor curse a civil ruler.
  2. Deuteronomy 17:8-13. When a civil case arises that you can not resolve amongst yourselves, you should go the priests, or the judge which God has set over you, and you should obey exactly his judgment of God’s law in that matter. Anyone who disobeys should be put to death.
  3. First Kings 1:34. David commanded that all the people say, “God save King Solomon.”
  4. First Chronicles 29:20. All the people rejoiced and bowed and worshiped God and king Solomon.
  5. First Chronicles 29:24. All the leaders of Israel submitted to Solomon as their new king.
  6. Proverbs 16:14-15. If you anger a king, it is like receiving a death sentence, but a wise man will conciliate the king. The king’s favor brings blessings.
  7. Proverbs 19:12. The anger of a king is dangerous, but his favor is beneficial.
  8. Proverbs 20:2. A person who angers the king does something evil and unwise to his own life.
  9. Proverbs 24:21-22. Fear God and the king, and do not support people who like change.
  10. Ecclesiastes 8:2-5. It is wise to obey the commands of a dictator-king. Do no evil, keep in his good graces, and you will prosper. A wise man knows when to obey.
  11. Ecclesiastes 10:4. It is wise to pacify a ruler who has become angry with you.
  12. Ecclesiastes 10:20. Do not speak evil of the king nor of powerful men for they may hear you.
  13. Isaiah 29:20-21. God will destroy tyrants and unjust persons, who punish without just cause, and enact laws which discipline bogus offenses. (We are not obliged to obey trivial or unjust laws.)
  14. Acts 25:8. In his defense, Paul says that he did nothing to disobey Caesar or the Jewish law.
  15. Romans 13:1-7. Obey the civil authorities which God has created. If you rebel against God’s rulers, you rebel against God. For a ruler is one who punishes evil and rewards good. Therefore you would only fear one of God’s rulers if you were doing evil. We owe taxes and respect to God’s rulers.
  16. First Timothy 2:1-3. Pray to God for kings and authorities, so they may let us live and obey God in peace.
  17. Titus 3:1-2. Do not to be rebellious against civil authorities, but to be ready to be helpful, and to show good manners to all men.
  18. First Peter 2:13-17. Submit to all civil authorities; the king and the officers which the king sends to administer justice. Show everyone that Christ does not promote rebellion. Use the civil liberties God has given you to serve God. Honor and respect the king.

Participation in Government

  1. Genesis 19:1. Lot sat as a judge in the gates of Sodom.
  2. Genesis 39:21-23. Joseph works as an administrator in Pharaoh’s prison, even though he was unjustly imprisoned.
  3. Genesis 41:38-45. Joseph was prime minister of Egypt under Pharaoh.
  4. Esther 10:1-3. Mordecai was an administrator in Ahasuerus’ government.
  5. Daniel 2:48-49. Daniel and his three countrymen work as an administrators in Nebuchadnezzar’s government.
  6. Daniel 6:1. Daniel works as an administrator Darius’ government.
  7. Cornelius was an officer in the Roman military occupation.

Creation of Kings and Governments

  1. Deuteronomy 17:14-20. When Israel sets a king over themselves they are to follow God’s choice for king, he must be an Israelite, and he must follow certain rules.
  2. First Samuel 2:8. God promotes even poor men and puts them into power.
  3. First Samuel 8. Israel asked for a king, God warns them about the nature of a kingdom.
  4. Second Samuel 2:3-4. The men of Judah anoint David to be their king.
  5. Second Samuel 5:1-3. The leaders of Israel admit that God had appointed David to be their king, so they anoint David to be king.
  6. First Kings 1:5. Adonijah said he would be king.
  7. First Kings 11:30-31. God gave Israel to Jeroboam.
  8. First Chronicles 28:4-5. God set up David to be king.
  9. Jeremiah 27:5-8. God gave Nebuchadnezar power.
  10. Daniel 2:21. God gives power to kings and takes it away.
  11. Hosea 8:4. Israel set up kings without the counsel of God, and so God will punish them.
  12. Matthew 4:8-10. Satin has the power to give kingdoms to Jesus.

Duties of Kings

  1. Psalm 2. Kings should submit to Christ or be punished.
  2. Proverbs 8:15-16. Kings reign by wisdom.
  3. Proverbs 14:35. A king’s favor is towards wise servants.
  4. Proverbs 20:8, 28. Just and wise kings put down evil.

Disobedience of Kings

  1. First Kings 12:28-30; 14:16. Jeroboam made Israel to sin.
  2. First Kings 21:7-8. Jezebel kills Nadab.
  3. Second Kings 16:15-16. Ahaz changed the temple altar.
  4. Second Chronicles 26:16-20. Uziah offered incense in the temple himself and is punished.

Revolution

  1. The high priest hid the little king in the temple until he grew older, and then started a revolution to overthrow Athaliah.

Inalienable Rights and Civil Privileges

  1. Acts 16:37. Paul asserts his Roman right to trial.
  2. Acts 22:25. Paul asserts his Roman right to trial.
  3. Acts 25:16. Roman citizens must face their accusers. (Deuteronomy 19:27.)
  4. Acts 25:11. Paul appeals to Caesar.

Persecution

  1. Matthew 10:16:23; Mark 13:9-13; Luke 12:8-12; 21:12-19. Men shall put Christians to death for teaching the truth, but there is hope in the end.
  2. Second Timothy 3:12. All those who live godly lives will suffer persecution of some sort.
  3. Hebrews 13:5-6; Psalm 56:4. Do not be afraid of what man can do to us, God will help us.
  4. First Peter 3:17. If it is God’s will, it is good to suffer for doing good.

Freedom and Slavery

  1. Nehemiah 9:36-38. Because of their sins, God made the Jews to spend their lives in service to foreign kings.
  2. First Corinthians 7:21. If you can, be free.
  3. Galatians 5:1. Be free in Christ, and don’t be enslaved to Moses’ Law again.
  4. Galatians 5:13. Be free from Moses’ Law, and use your freedom to love others.
  5. First Timothy 6:1. Servants, honor your master.

Attitude towards Civil and Social Interaction

  1. Psalm 122:6-9. Pray that there be peace in Jerusalem (among Christians).
  2. Matthew 5:38-48. Do not revenge insults, and do good to those who try to harm you.
  3. Romans 12:18-21; 13:8-9. Paul’s guidelines for social interaction: live peaceably and seek the good of everyone.

God’s kingdom

  1. Mark 7:7-9. Obey God, not man’s tradition.
  2. Second Corinthians 10:3. We fight in a spiritual battle.
  3. Galatians 1:10. Seek to please God, not men.
  4. Collossians 1:13. We are in Christ’s kingdom.

Dominion

  1. Genesis 1:27-30; 3:16-19. God gave dominion to Adam.
  2. Genesis 9:1-7. God gave dominion to Noah.

Nations

  • Genesis 10:5; 11:1-9. God created the nations and peoples.
  •  (I looked up all possible cross references to ever verse above the section on “Participation in Government.” I stoped at that point.)

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