What does this mean? When reading this particular part of the scripture, it is easy to identify the higher powers ordained of God -- referred to in the remainder of Romans 13. For context, apostle Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ is writing to all that is in Rome, the beloved of God -- called to be saints. (Romans 1:1-5)
Throughout, apostle Paul is giving instruction unto believers, beseeching us by the mercies of God. In the previous chapter, Paul has instructed us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God -- which is your reasonable service -- and be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
But far too often (sadly!) the modern day religious culture (using extensively rewritten revisions of the Bible to prove their point) like to connect Romans 13 with civil governments in power. It is herein that the alignment goes off track -- that we vary from the first commandment in both the old and the new -- that insists we are to worship the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) Indeed, if Paul truly believed that the higher powers cited herein were worldly government(s), then we would have to eliminate the majority of examples citing Paul within the book of Acts.
"Are they Hebrews? so [am] I. Are they Israelites? so [am] I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am] more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one." (II Corinthians 11:22-24)
Let's investigate this further.
Romans 13 begins -- "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then be not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good ..." (Romans 13:1-4)
If the higher powers are ministers of God and recognized as a terror to evil, then how can we suggest that being subject (in submission) to evil governments is in accordance with the Word of God. Further, why would apostle Paul then allude to ministers of God yet again -- "for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." (Romans 13:4)
Is that the mission of government? Either as a minister of God preaching the Word to those that are lost, or conversely, an entity that executes wrath upon him that does evil (beyond the criminal/judicial sphere)? These are questions that only you can answer.
Still, there is more. Again, in Romans 13:6, the apostle states: "For they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing."
If apostle Paul was referring to worldly governments here, he would have said so. But he did not. The scriptural context repeatedly refers to the ministers of God, and that every soul be subject to the higher powers. ... whom God has ordained to teach us and help us to do what is right -- in terms of the gospel, knowing the time has come to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:11)
Other scriptures worth noting?
Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29-32)
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." (Acts 4:19)
Then came one and told them, saying, "Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people." Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, "Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this Name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us."
Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, "We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree." (Acts 5:25-30)
"And we are His witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him." (Acts 5:29-32)
In fact, if we study the book of Acts, we repeatedly see worldly governments and authorities interfering with the preaching and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. We see in Hebrews that we are to be faithful to the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus who was faithful to Him that appointed Him -- counted worthy of more glory than Moses. (Hebrews 3:1-3)
Finally, an insight into the higher powers -- from Paul's writings to the saints and churches in Corinth.
"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed [them] unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God." (I Corinthians 2:1-10)
Please note that this is only the beginning of this discussion, but for now, should be sufficient to provide some understanding of our role in the context of Romans 13. More to come!
In the interim, stand in the offering plate.
No comments:
Post a Comment