Restoration is a network of house churches.
We make disciples, gather together, and
equip people to minister.
All tagged Civil Disobedience
Romans 13 is a foundational passage for understanding civil government, but it has often been applied incorrectly to defend sinful tyranny. This sermon covers Romans 13 as well as several other harmonious passages in order to see clearly what God has commanded related to obedience and disobedience of civil authorities.
The book of Acts is about the proclamation of the Gospel, and the Holy Spirit is the Star. The recurring pattern of this book is that the Holy Spirit does something, and the gospel is preached. Chapter five is no exception. In the first section, we see the account of Ananias and Sapphire lying about their donation to the Church. Pastor Dan clarifies some misconceptions about why these two faced such a severe punishment. Along the way, we learn that the voluntary donation of resources in the church, which provides for the poor, is nothing like Marxism/Communism. The last part of the chapter addresses the apostles’ civil disobedience against the apostate religious leaders of Jerusalem and the magisterial authority of the Roman government, which they welded.
When should we disobey governing authorities? When should we defy religious authorities? Acts 5 provides a clear example of when to obey God rather than men. Praise God that the gospel remains as its enemies are converted, destroyed, or forgotten.
The most prominent theological questions I seem to be getting lately have to do with obedience or disobedience to governing authorities as they drift away from God's law. How should Christians respond if the Equality Act passes? What is a proper Christian response to gun restrictions? Is it wrong to disobey Health Department mandates in order to meet together as Christians?
You know me, so you can imagine what my opinion is on some of these matters. However, my intention this Sunday is to lay aside opinion in order to establish from Scripture a biblical framework for approaching these and other questions that we are undoubtedly going to face in the coming years.
