THE STATE
God has ordained governments as His agency for maintaining social order in a sinful world. Christians are to submit to governments by obeying their laws, paying taxes, and honoring those in office. We are to pray for our leaders so that we may lead quiet and godly lives. Christians should minister on behalf of the downtrodden, working within the system to bring about justice. When faced with an oppressive social order, they are to respond with love, demonstrating within the church a Christian alternative. Where obedience to Scripture conflicts with the law of the land, believers must be willing to suffer for what is right. Knowing that both individuals and governments are under God’s sovereignty, the church summons all to repentance and submission to the Lordship of Christ.
Matt. 22:15-22; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-15; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Prov. 14:31; Prov. 19:17; Prov. 22:22-23; 1 John 3:17; Isaiah 10:1-2; Amos 5:10-15; Dan. 3:13-18; Acts 5:29; 1 Pet. 2:20-23; 1 Pet. 4:12-19; Acts 17:30-31