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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: Emmaus, no doubt that when the commands/laws of the government come in conflict with the commands of Christ then we really have no choice but to follow Christ. Act2 4:19-20 [19] But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; [20] for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." that is why i see no problem with missionaries in places like China, Sudan, Iran, etc preaching Christ even though it is deamed illegal by those governments. i think we can all agree about that point. incidently, in the passage you cited, Peter and John didn't try to replace the existing government with one more tolerant to their cause... they simply disobeyed an ungodly order. the thing that gives me pause is that the founding fathers were not merely disobeying, they actively sought to replace an existing governing authority. hmm... maybe all this talk about the American Revolution is just vain speculation but i am also curious as to how this passage relates to us in today's society. folks like Pat Roberson and Jerry Falwell would have us use politcal means to get our message across but it is clear from Jesus Christ's example that a political revolution is not what is needed, a spiritual revolution IS! i hope i'm not "muddying the waters", so to speak, by going in this direction. God help us, Montag |