Topical Bible: Christian Conduct: Submitting to Authorities

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The concept of submitting to authorities is a significant theme in Christian conduct, rooted in the understanding of God's sovereignty and the order He has established in the world. The Bible provides guidance on how Christians are to relate to governing authorities, emphasizing respect, obedience, and the recognition of their role as instituted by God.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for submitting to authorities is found in Romans 13:1-7. The Apostle Paul writes, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God" (Romans 13:1). This passage underscores the belief that all authority is derived from God, and thus, resisting authority equates to resisting God's ordinance.

Paul continues, "Therefore, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves" (Romans 13:2). This instruction highlights the potential consequences of rebellion against established authorities, framing submission as a matter of spiritual obedience.

Purpose of Authorities

Authorities are described as God's servants for the good of society. Romans 13:3-4 states, "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant to you for good" . This passage suggests that authorities are meant to promote justice and order, rewarding good behavior and punishing wrongdoing.

Obedience and Conscience

Submission to authorities is not solely about avoiding punishment but also about maintaining a clear conscience before God. Romans 13:5 explains, "Therefore, it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience" . This indicates that obedience is an internal, spiritual matter, reflecting one's relationship with God.

Paying Taxes and Respect

Paul further instructs Christians to fulfill their civic duties, including paying taxes and showing respect. "This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due" (Romans 13:6-7). This reinforces the idea that Christians are to be exemplary citizens, contributing to the welfare of society.

Limits of Submission

While the Bible advocates for submission to authorities, it also acknowledges that there are limits, particularly when obedience to human authorities conflicts with obedience to God. In Acts 5:29, Peter and the apostles assert, "We must obey God rather than men" , when commanded to stop preaching in Jesus' name. This principle establishes that God's commands take precedence over human laws when the two are in conflict.

Other Scriptural References

1 Peter 2:13-17 also addresses the topic, urging believers to "submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors" . This passage reiterates the call to respect and honor authorities, linking such conduct to the Lord's will and the Christian witness.

Titus 3:1 further instructs, "Remind the believers to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work" . This emphasizes the readiness to engage in good deeds as part of one's submission to authority.

Conclusion

The biblical teaching on submitting to authorities is a call for Christians to recognize the divine order in societal structures, to act as responsible citizens, and to maintain a testimony that honors God. While submission is generally encouraged, the ultimate allegiance of a believer is to God, and His commands must guide their actions when conflicts arise.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 13:1-7
Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Negative Side
... at an end, and in not submitting to Christ ... by an appeal to human authorities"though
the ... it was under such teaching was produced Christian conduct that puts to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the negative side.htm

Sozomen as Author.
... weakness of the historian in submitting to the ... lost, and that to the danger of Christian
conduct. ... The Christian university founded by Theodosius in Sozomen's ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/part ii sozomen as author.htm

Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force must Inevitably be ...
... Doctrine of Non-resistance, or Slavishly Submitting to the ... what he had expected to
find among Christian nations ... between our convictions and our conduct, that is ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter viii doctrine of non-resistance.htm

Church and State in New England
... In submitting to their dictation, the large majority of the ... had declared to be heretical
and anti-Christian. ... purity of her churches and the conduct of their ...
/.../chapter iii church and state.htm

The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed ...
... operation of law, except by meekly submitting to the ... nature of this command on every
Christian who acknowledges ... reasonableness of this rule of conduct is shown ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter i the doctrine of.htm

The Fourth Day in Passion-Week - Jesus in his Last Sabbatic Rest ...
... as the Lamb of God - meekly submitting Himself to ... the condemned heretic to the secular
authorities will recur ... shrink from describing their own conduct, or that ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii the fourth day.htm

The Ancient Form of Government Utterly Corrupted by the Tyranny of ...
The Institutes of the Christian Religion. ... But they all conduct themselves in such
a way that one cannot ... if they cannot endure the hard law of submitting to the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the ancient form.htm

Hebrews xiii. 17
... mind may be on fire, and our conduct under all ... watchful: but whatever may fall upon
[the Christian], he bears all ... That is, by submitting to the will of God thus ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiv hebrews xiii 17.htm

Significance of Compulsory Service.
... Scotch guards, and makes the Russian authorities of to ... In submitting they simply
yield to the suggestions given ... and disadvantages of both lines of conduct for a ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter vii significance of compulsory.htm

General Conference of 1824
... and laborious zeal which distinguishes your character and conduct. ... of our religious
institutions as a Christian denomination, it was ... "In thus submitting to the ...
/.../chapter 7 general conference of.htm