The Powers That Be

Bible Readings for the Home

"Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees) and were filled with indignation,and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison." Acts 5:17,18. Did God then reveal Himself to be on the side of governmental authorities when they did wrong?
"But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." Verses 19-20.
NOTE,-Here once again is demonstrated the fact that men have no right to interfere with the free exercise of religion, and that when the laws of men conflict with the law and Word of God, we are to obey the latter, whatever the consequences may be.
"And the letters were sent by posts into all the kings's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and the take the spoil of them for a prey." Esther 3:13.
NOTE,-God has placed the sword (civil authority) in the hands of Caesar (civil government) for the punishment of evildoers: but when the sword is raised to slay innocent, as in the case of the children of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16); or to enforce idolatrous worship, as in the case of Daniel (Daniel6): or to slay all God's people, as in the time of Esther;or to enforce the observance of a false sabbath, as in the caseof all Sunday laws, it is an abuse of civil authority, and not a proper or justifiable use of it; and God honors those who, under such circumstances, in the face of persecution, oppression, and death, remain loyal and true to Him.
"Government is never the gainer in the execution of a law that is manifestly unjust ..Conscientious men are not the enemies, but the friends, of any government but a tyranny. They are its strength, and not its weakness, Daniel, in Babylon, praying, contrary to the law, was the true friend and supporter of the government; while those who, in their pretended zeal for the law and the constitution, would strike down the good man, were its real enemies. It is only when government transcends its spheres that it comes in conflict with the consciences of men..
"It should always be remembered, that the great end of government is human well-being-that law and authority are nothing in themselves, and that their sacredness arises from the uses which they serve. The machinery of government is valuable, only for the work it does; in itself, it has no value.. The most grievous of all imperfections in government, is the failure to secure the just and good result."- James H. Fairchild. Moral Philosophy, pp. 184-186.
God is above all earthly rulers, and His law above all human laws. He made us, and we therefore owe allegiance to Him before any earthly power, potentate, or tribunal."