Definition and Context
Allegiance, in a biblical context, refers to the loyalty, commitment, and faithfulness that individuals owe to God, their leaders, and their community. It encompasses the idea of devotion and fidelity to a higher authority, often manifesting in obedience and worship. The concept of allegiance is deeply rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people, as well as in the social and political structures of biblical times.

Allegiance to God
The primary allegiance of believers is to God, as emphasized throughout Scripture. The Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, serves as a foundational declaration of this allegiance: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This commandment underscores the total devotion and exclusive loyalty that God demands from His people.

In the New Testament, Jesus reiterates this call to allegiance in Matthew 22:37-38: "Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." Here, allegiance to God is portrayed as the foremost duty of a believer, encompassing every aspect of one's being.

Allegiance to Christ
Allegiance to Jesus Christ is a central theme in the New Testament. Believers are called to follow Christ wholeheartedly, as seen in Luke 9:23: "Then Jesus said to all of them, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'" This passage highlights the sacrificial nature of allegiance to Christ, requiring self-denial and a willingness to endure hardship for His sake.

The Apostle Paul further emphasizes allegiance to Christ in Philippians 3:8: "More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Paul's words reflect a profound commitment to Christ, valuing Him above all earthly possessions and achievements.

Allegiance to Earthly Authorities
While ultimate allegiance belongs to God, Scripture also addresses the believer's relationship with earthly authorities. Romans 13:1-2 instructs, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." This passage acknowledges the legitimacy of human governance and the believer's duty to respect and obey it, insofar as it does not conflict with God's commands.

Allegiance in Community and Family
Allegiance extends to relationships within the community and family. Ephesians 5:21-25 speaks to mutual submission and love within the family unit: "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord... Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." These verses illustrate the reciprocal nature of allegiance in familial relationships, grounded in love and respect.

Allegiance and Idolatry
The Bible warns against divided allegiance, particularly in the form of idolatry. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus states, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." This teaching underscores the impossibility of maintaining true allegiance to God while simultaneously serving other gods or worldly pursuits.

Conclusion
The biblical concept of allegiance is multifaceted, encompassing devotion to God, Christ, earthly authorities, and community. It demands a wholehearted commitment that prioritizes divine commands above all else, while also recognizing the importance of earthly relationships and responsibilities.1. (n.) The tie or obligation, implied or expressed, which a subject owes to his sovereign or government; the duty of fidelity to one's king, government, or state.

2. (n.) Devotion; loyalty; as, allegiance to science.

ALLEGIANCE

a-le'-jans (mishmereth, "a charge," from shamar, "to keep," 1 Chronicles 12:29): the Revised Version, margin gives as literal meaning, "kept the charge of the house of Saul," which revisers consider figurative for "maintaining their loyalty and fidelity," i.e. "allegiance."

3027. yad -- hand
... root Definition hand NASB Word Usage abandon* (1), able (1), able* (1), addition*
(1), afford* (4), against* (3), allegiance (1), allegiance* (1), along (1 ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

4931. mishmereth -- a guard, watch, charge, function
... of mishmar Definition a guard, watch, charge, function NASB Word Usage allegiance
(1), charge (27), duties (15), duty (2), guard post (2), guard* (1), guards (2 ...
/hebrew/4931.htm - 6k

8478. tachath -- underneath, below, instead of
... root Definition underneath, below, instead of NASB Word Usage account (2), against*
(4), allegiance* (1), Amid (1), among (2), because (1), because* (12 ...
/hebrew/8478.htm - 6k

But Gamala Persevered in Its Allegiance to the Romans...
... Section 11. But Gamala persevered in its allegiance to the Romans? 11.
But Gamala persevered in its allegiance to the Romans, for ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 11 but gamala persevered.htm

Whether a Prince Forfeits his Dominion Over his Subjects, on ...
... TWO ARTICLES) Whether a prince forfeits his dominion over his subjects, on account
of apostasy from the faith, so that they no longer owe him allegiance? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a prince forfeits his.htm

But the Inhabitants of this City Having Determined to Continue in ...
... Section 22. But the inhabitants of this city having determined to continue
in their allegiance to? 22. But the inhabitants of ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 22 but the inhabitants.htm

Six Facts Underlying Prayer.
... The disobedience broke with God, and transferred the allegiance from God. ... This Man
was to head a movement for swinging the world back to its first allegiance. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/six facts underlying prayer.htm

Dr. Beardsley's Address.
... Hence the English Church as a whole felt herself bound to cast off allegiance to
him, for, in addition to the various oppressions which he had heaped upon her ...
/.../the sermons and addresses at the seabury centenary/dr beardsleys address.htm

The Final Warning
... brought before him, whoever shall trample upon God's law to obey a human enactment
receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of allegiance to the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 38 the final warning.htm

The Final Warning.
... brought before him, whoever shall trample upon God's law to obey a human enactment,
receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of allegiance to the ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /38 the final warning.htm

The Organized Sunday School Bible Class
... Class. It is purely and simply a church organization, and owes no allegiance
to any organization outside of the local church. It ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/viii the organized sunday school.htm

Three Youths Save Constantinople
... The gates, the barracks, the walls were all in the hands of barbarians, whose
allegiance was wavering, and whose ultimate objects were uncertain. ...
/.../chapter xxxii three youths save.htm

St. Bernard
... unimportant. [Sidenote: Lothair II.]. It was perhaps fortunate for the Papacy
that the allegiance of Germany was also divided. With ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter vi st bernard.htm

Allegiance (7 Occurrences)
... government, or state. 2. (n.) Devotion; loyalty; as, allegiance to science.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ALLEGIANCE. a-le'-jans ...
/a/allegiance.htm - 9k

Loyal (15 Occurrences)
... upholding the lawful authority; faithful and true to the lawful government; faithful
to the prince or sovereign to whom one is subject; unswerving in allegiance...
/l/loyal.htm - 11k

Revolt (18 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Hence, to be faithless; to desert one party or leader for another; especially,
to renounce allegiance or subjection; to rise against a government; to ...
/r/revolt.htm - 13k

Subject (99 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Placed under the power of another; specifically (International Law), owing
allegiance to a particular sovereign or state; as, Jamaica is subject to ...
/s/subject.htm - 37k

Jehoram (27 Occurrences)
... return to Jezreel (2 Kings 8:29; 9:14, 15), and soon after the army proclaimed their
leader Jehu king of Israel, and revolted from their allegiance to Jehoram ...
/j/jehoram.htm - 30k

Allege (3 Occurrences)

/a/allege.htm - 8k

Job (60 Occurrences)
... among them. He is a wandering spirit, unanchored to any allegiance, who
roams through the earth, prying and criticizing. There is ...
/j/job.htm - 62k

Judah (802 Occurrences)
... dictate terms. These Rehoboam rejected, and the northern tribes at once
threw off their allegiance to the dynasty of David. The ...
/j/judah.htm - 101k

James (40 Occurrences)
... 1:36) and of the preaching of John the Baptist, until he inwardly dedicated his
life to Jesus and only awaited an opportunity to declare his allegiance openly. ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

3000 (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 12:29 Of the children of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul, three thousand:
for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the ...
/num/3000.htm - 7k

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