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NASB | Romans 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God. [Prov 8:15] |
Subject: Governmental Authority? |
Bible Note: Hi Montag Your question is VERY interesting... and here is the first passage of scripture that came to mind: The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. Acts 22:24-29 Could we say Paul was resisting authority in this passage? My answer would be he was resisting injustice (but I could be wrong! :) ). Your question has prompted in me this question: Was it wrong for my foreparents (those slaves that fought, in whatever way, against slavery) to resist the bondage and degregation heaped upon them, ie resist the authority that said they could not be free, could be sold, beaten, separated from their families, were less than human? Was it wrong for those of the civil rights era, to 'fight' for equal rights? Were they sinning when they resisted the authority that told them they could not vote, had to sit in the back of the bus, could only drink out of the 'colored' water fountains, had to attend segregated schools with inferior materials, were not entitled to equal rights/protections under the law? I believe it is good to also consider vv3-5 in conjunction with vv1-2: For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. NASB Did the founding fathers, my foreparents and those of the civil rights era sin against God? I'm not sure either... but hopefully others with be able to shed some more light on the question. Yours in Christ Meredith |