XVII. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is (a) of divine appointment, for the interests
and good order of human society; (b) that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously
honored and obeyed; (c) except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus
Christ; (d) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the
kings of the earth.
* * * * * * * * * *
*** (a) Rom. 13:1,3. "The powers that be are
ordained of God....For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil."
II Sam. 23:3. "The God of Israel said. . .He
that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."
Ex. 18:21-22. "Thou shalt provide out of all
the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place
such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties,
and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons."
*** (b} Acts 23:5. "Thou shalt not speak evil
of the ruler of thy people."
Matt. 22:21. "Render therefore unto Caesar the
things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
Titus 3:1. "Put them in mind to be subject to
principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work."
I Pet. 2:13-14. "Submit yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king as supreme; Or unto
governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and
for the praise of them that do well."
I Pet. 2:17. "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood.
Fear God Honour the king."
*** (c) Acts 5:29. "We ought to obey God rather
than men."
Acts 4:19-20. "Whether it be right in the sight
of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak
the things which we have seen and heard."
Dan. 3:17-18. "Our God whom we serve is able
to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of shine
hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we wit not serve thy
gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."
*** (d) Matt. 10:28. "And fear not them which
kill the body but are not able to kill the soul."
Matt. 23:10. "One is your Master, even Christ."
Rev. 19:16. "And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
Phi. 2:10-11. "At the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.'
Psa. 72:11. "Yea, all kings shall fall down
before him: all nations shall serve him."
Next: XVIII. OF THE RESURRECTION, RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS