from A.D. The Bible Continues: The Revolution That Changed the World [2]
When the Sanhedrin demanded that Peter stop preaching about Jesus, Peter shot back a telling question: “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?” (Acts 4:19). At some point today, believers will face this question as well. And as Western governments drift further away from godly principles, it will be something we face more often and with more serious consequences.
Christ made it clear that we are obligated to obey civil law. The Pharisees once came to Jesus with this question: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
When they showed him the coin used to pay the tax, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Well, then, he responded, “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what belongs to God.” (Matthew 22:17-21).
In that single exchange, Jesus offered what might be the most significant political commentary ever made. He began by declaring the legitimacy of human governments. New Testament scholar James A. Brooks explains, “The coin that was minted by the emporer and had his image stamped on it was considered to be his personal property, even while it was in circulation. Therefore, it was proper for the Jews and (later) Christians to return it to him. By so saying, Jesus acknowledged that God’s people have an obligation to the state.”[2] If we accept the government’s privileges and protections, then we are obligated to support it.
The apostle Peter writes, “For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority–whether the king as head of state, or the official he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right…Fear God and respect the king” (1 Peter 2:13-14, 17).
As these Scriptures show, governments have a legitimate and necessary function: to maintain an ordered society and provide defense for its citizens. Christians should be prime examples of obedience and respect for these authorities.
Although we have a calling to respect the government, there are limits to this kind of obedience. This is because God’s authority is superior to any human authority: ” Coins have the image of a ruler, and they may be returned to him. Human beings are made in the image of God; they and all they have belong to him.”[3]
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1. Dr. David Jeremiah, A.D. The Bible Continues: The Revolution That Changed the World (Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2015) 69-71.
2. James A. Brooks, The New American Commentary: Mark (Nashville,: Broadman Press, 1991), 193.
3. Mark Buchanan, Glimpses of Heaven: Surprising Stories of Hope and Encouragement (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2013) 70.
