By Larry Curl

How should the church respond to increasing hostility from the government and to criticism from the progressive movement in our culture?

As a starting point, we will develop our beliefs on this subject from the book of Acts, chapters 4 and 5 and also from Romans chapter 13. We will start with the book of Romans.

Romans 13:1-7 NIV, Submission to Governing Authorities

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ⁴ For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. ⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Based on this passage of Scripture, we are to submit to our Governing Authorities for the following reasons:

1. God has established all authorities. (verse 1)
2. Whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (verse 2)
3. The one in authority is God’s servant for your good. (verse 4)
4. It is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. (verse 5)

Therefore, in general we should obey the Governing Authorities. However, based on the response of the apostles as recorded in the book of Acts chapters 4 and 5, there are certain circumstances in which we are justified in not submitting to the Governing Authorities. We will examine the relevant verses in the book of Acts next.

Acts 4:1-31 NIV, Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. ² They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. ³ They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. ⁴ But many who heard the message believed; so, the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

⁵ The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ⁹ If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’^[a]

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. ¹⁶ “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

²¹ After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. ²⁵ You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
²⁶ The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.^[b]’^[c]

²⁷ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

²⁹ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Key Points:

1. John and Peter were put in jail by the priests and the captain of the temple guard because they were “teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.” (Acts 4:1-3)

Point: It is possible that being obedient to God will lead to imprisonment.

• When questioned by the Jewish rulers “By what power or what name did you do this?” the apostles responded boldly that it was in Jesus’ name, but also addressed them respectfully calling them “Rulers and elders of the people!”. (Acts 4:7-10)

Point: When questioned by authorities we should respond boldly, but also respectfully.

• The apostles also used this opportunity to share the Gospel saying “Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)

Point: When questioned by authorities we have an opportunity to share the Gospel. (note recent court case with Paivi Rassanen)

• When the rulers “saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

Point: Our relationship with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit can give us courage that will astonish our persecutors.

• The rulers commended them “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹ But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! ² As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Point: When the commands of earthly authorities contradict the commands of God, we must obey God.

• When released, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. (Acts 4:23-31)

Point: When persecuted we should respond with prayer, praising God for who he is and what he has done and ask Him to “…enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”

Acts 5:12-41 NIV, The Apostles Heal Many

¹² The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹³ No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. ¹⁵ As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. ¹⁶ Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

The Apostles Persecuted

¹⁷ Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. ¹⁸ They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. ¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

²¹ At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. ²² But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So, they went back and reported, ²³ “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” ²⁴ On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

²⁵ Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” ²⁶ At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

²⁷ The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ²⁸ “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

²⁹ Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! ³⁰ The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. ³¹ God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. ³² We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

³³ When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. ³⁴ But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. ³⁵ Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. ³⁶ Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. ³⁷ After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

 ³⁸ Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

⁴⁰ His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Key Points:

1. The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. (Acts 5:12-14)

Point: The good works done by believers can help them to be highly regarded by some of the people in their community.

However, we must be careful not to do good works with the objective of being seen to impress people. (Matthew 6:1, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Point: The good works and high regard can also help the gospel message to be received positively.

• Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. ¹⁸ They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. (Acts 5:17-18)

Point: Part of the authorities’ hostility towards believers can be that they are jealous. Jealous that we have strong convictions and confidence about our relationship with God. Jealous that we don’t fear the things they fear. And more…

• The apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin, questioned by the high priest and given “strict orders not to teach in this name”.  (The name of Jesus)

But Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! (Acts 5:27-32)

Point: When the commands of earthly authorities contradict the commands of God, we must obey God. (same as in Acts 4)

• The rulers were furious with the apostles and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people warned them saying “Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” So, the rulers warned the apostles again and had them flogged. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Point: The confrontation with our persecutors could escalate to the point of violence being inflicted on us.

Point: We need to check our attitude when mistreated. The apostles didn’t protest about the flogging they received or even complain. They instead rejoiced “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” That kind of attitude can make the world take notice and question what makes them different?

Summary:

In light of Gods’ Word then, how should the church respond to increasing hostility from the government and to the criticism from the progressive movement in our culture?

In general, we should obey the Governing Authorities even if we disagree with some of their decisions. However, based on the response of the apostles as recorded in the book of Acts chapters 4 and 5, there are certain circumstances in which we are justified in not submitting to the Governing Authorities. Specifically, when the commands of earthly authorities contradict the commands of God, we must obey God.

When questioned by authorities and critics we should respond boldly, but also respectfully.

When questioned by authorities and critics we should also use that opportunity to share the Gospel. (note recent court case with Paivi Rassanen)

We should rely on our relationship with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to give us courage that will astonish our persecutors and critics.

When persecuted we should respond with prayer, praising God for who he is and what he has done and ask Him to “…enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”

We should be doers of good works to help us be highly regarded by the people in our community and for the gospel message to be received positively. (NOTE: There is no guarantee that the people will regard us highly or receive the gospel message positively)

We need to check our attitude when mistreated. The apostles didn’t protest about the flogging they received or even complain. They instead rejoiced! That kind of attitude can make the world take notice and question what makes them different.

Additional Thoughts on this Subject:

In addition, we should also take into consideration what Jesus taught about how we should respond to our enemies when persecuted by them.

Luke 6:27 ESV

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you…”

Matthew 5:43-48 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? … “

Matthew 5:44 ESV

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

Romans 12:14 ESV

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. “

This teaching is contrary to what is believed by most of the world. It does not come naturally and in fact it is very hard to put into practice, even for followers of Christ. However, it is clearly what Jesus expects us to do. It reminds me of Philip Yanceys’ use of the term “Holy Subversives”.  The concept of this term is that while Christians should be obedient to the ruling authorities in general, the way we live when truly following Jesus commands will sometimes cause us to act in ways that are counter-cultural or subversive to many of the normally accepted standards of behavior in our society. This will make us seem unusual at times, but also cause some people to wonder why we are different. In some cases, it will help people to see Christ in us and draw them to him.