Church and State
How Assemblies of Christians are Related to Assemblies of Men - Biblical Ecclesiology in Eight Sessions
Throughout history, the relationship between Church and state has ranged from persecution to unification, from martyrdom to establishment. While the Church has embraced and contended with the state in various ways throughout history, it is the New Testament that we are to look to for guidance on how Christians should relate to governing authorities. The passages explored herein help us navigate how we, both individually and as assemblies of Christians, are to think about and interact with civil authorities.
How does Jesus distinguish between obligations to God and obligations to human authorities?
Matthew 22:15-22, Matthew 17:24-27
Guide participants to examine how Jesus skillfully handles attempts to entrap Him while establishing enduring principles about the distinct spheres of divine and human authority. Help them explore the implications of Jesus' responses for contemporary Christian citizenship.
Jesus' response to the Pharisees’ entrapping question about paying taxes paradigmatically addresses the core concern of this session. While man’s logic fails to distinguish between heavenly and earthly concerns and domains, Jesus’ well-remembered reply, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's," manages a crucial authority–domain distinction between heavenly and earthly matters without either delegitimizing authority in its proper sphere or allowing the malicious inquirers room for follow-up entrapment. This teaching acknowledges legitimate spheres of human government while implicitly asserting God's ultimate authority—after all, if the coin bearing Caesar's image belongs to Caesar, what bearers of God's image belong to God? Albeit subtly, Jesus, as the exact image of the Father, teaches His followers, as image-bearers being conformed to the very image of Christ, that their whole persons belong to God.
The temple tax incident in Matthew 17 further illuminates Jesus' teaching about authority and obligation. When questioned about the temple tax, Jesus first establishes the principle that "the sons are free"—implying His own royal Sonship and exemption from earthly authority structures. However, He immediately instructs Peter to pay the tax so as "not to give offense to them," demonstrating that His own Divine freedom can be voluntarily set aside for the sake of peace and witness, in parallel with His own condescension via incarnation. Emblematically, the miraculous provision of the tax money through Peter's fishing emphasizes both God's sovereignty over earthly matters and His ability to provide all that is needed, even for what may seem like excess taxation. This episode, like the denarius incident, shows how Christian freedom and focus on heavenly matters can coexist with submission to earthly authorities. Jesus’ own example of voluntarily paying the tax in spite of His Divinity is for our benefit, that we may submit to earthly authorities just as He Himself did.
What responsibilities do Christians have toward governing authorities?
Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17
Have participants carefully examine these passages' teaching about submission to authority while considering how these principles apply across different political contexts. Help them explore both the extent and limits of this submission.
In light of Jesus’ own example, Paul's teaching in Romans 13 presents a fleshed out, theologically-driven instruction on the legitimacy of civil authority in the lives of Christians, asserting that all legitimate authority ultimately derives from God. The instruction to "be subject to the governing authorities" is grounded in the understanding that God has established human government for maintaining order and promoting good. This passage outlines specific responsibilities: paying taxes, showing respect, and giving honor where due. Notably, this was written when Nero was emperor, suggesting that these principles apply even under hostile governance.
Paul's theology regarding governing authorities stems from his robust view of God's sovereignty. In a similar vein to the all-encompassing statement in Romans 8:28, here, Paul argues that no authority exists except by God's ordination—even those authorities who may oppose Christianity. The strength of Paul's argument is striking: he states that resisting authorities is resisting "the very ordinance of God" (13:2) because they are "God's servants", emphasizing their role in administering both good to those who do right and punishment to those who do wrong. It is worth considering that this passage does not directly address situations where authorities command what God forbids—instead, Paul's focus is on establishing the general principle that governing authorities serve within God's sovereign purposes, carrying out His will for order and justice in society.
Peter's parallel teaching adds crucial context by framing submission to human authorities within our freedom in Christ and our primary identity as "servants of God." The command to "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor" (1 Peter 2:17) may be taken as a summary list of Christian obligations that places our duty to governing authorities alongside the more obviously Christian duties of fearing God and loving the brotherhood. Each of these passages emphasize that good citizenship is part of having a good Christian witness, "putting to silence the ignorance of foolish people" through honorable conduct.
When must the church prioritize obedience to God over human authorities?
Acts 4:18-20, 5:27-29
Guide discussion on how to discern when civil disobedience becomes necessary while maintaining respect for legitimate authority. Help participants understand both the courage and humility required in such situations.
The book of Acts provides the clearest Biblical examples of responses to conflicting divine and human commands. After healing a lame man, Peter and John faced the Sanhedrin's command to stop preaching in Jesus' name. Their response established a crucial precedent: "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge" (Acts 4:19). This respectful yet resolute appeal to a higher authority demonstrates how Christians can disagree with governing powers while still honoring their office. When subsequently imprisoned and again commanded to cease preaching, the apostles' declaration became even more explicit: "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
These confrontations with the Sanhedrin would ultimately lead to Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 7:54-60), establishing a pattern of faithful witness even unto death that followed Christ’s own example. Importantly, these instances demonstrate legitimate civil disobedience in the specific matter of gospel proclamation. The apostles did not broadly reject the Sanhedrin's authority or incite a general rebellion - they simply continued their divine commission to preach Christ despite human prohibition. Their example shows both the potential for and proper limits of disobedience toward authorities when their commands directly contradict God's explicit instructions.
How should churches pray regarding governing authorities?
1 Timothy 2:1-4
Guide participants in understanding both the priority and scope of prayer for authorities. Help them see how such prayer connects to the church's mission and witness.
Paul's urgent instruction for prayer regarding authorities reveals a profound understanding of how the church can influence society through spiritual means. The emphasis on "first of all" underscores the priority of such prayer, while the comprehensive nature of the prayer—"petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving"—suggests that this should be a regular, thorough practice. The goal of such prayer—"that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness"—reveals how political stability can serve the Church's mission. Prayer for these leaders may enable such peaceful and quiet lives in two ways: the prayers may be effective in causing those leaders to allow/enable such lives, and more importantly, the prayers transform our own hearts to live godly and dignified lives regardless of circumstances, as we align our thoughts with God's desire for the salvation of all people.
The connection Paul draws between praying for authorities and God's desire for all people to be saved provides a crucial perspective on the ultimate purpose of such prayer. This isn't merely about securing favorable conditions for the church but about advancing God's kingdom purposes. Prayer for leaders can be understood as prayer for nations—by praying for those in authority, we effectively pray for all those under their influence. These prayers are to be given regardless of the character or conduct of leaders, with the recognition that all earthly authority is temporary and provisional while our ultimate allegiance is to God alone. Through prayer for our leaders, we are reminded that our Christian lives do not depend on our earthly rulers.
Conversation Starters:
Jesus' teaching about rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God’s becomes pregnant with meaning in light of the fact that all humans bear God's image. How does this influence your understanding of the Christian's obligations both to earthly rulers and to God?
Have you ever experienced tension between civil obligations and spiritual convictions?
Paul argues that no authority exists except that from God. How does this theological foundation challenge common attitudes within churches toward governments they disagree with?
Looking at these passages together (Jesus' teaching, Acts' examples, Paul's instructions, and Peter's exhortations), what principles emerge for how Christians should engage with civil authorities while maintaining their distinct identity as God's people?
How might regular prayer for authorities, as taught in 1 Timothy 2, help resolve some of the tensions we feel between our earthly and heavenly citizenships?
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