1. Biblical Basis of Government
RVCS American Government

2. Introductory Question
When did the first form of government begin?

3. The Cultural Mandate
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” - Genesis 1:28
There was a government instituted even before man sinned

4. Beginning Again with Noah’s Family
“So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man.’” (Genesis 9:1-5)
Capital Punishment—After the Flood, God instituted the principle of “capital punishment,” that is, executing a criminal for murder.

5. Believers & Secular Government
Believers can thrive in governmental roles, even when their culture supports a different worldview or religion
Joseph
Daniel
Nehemiah
Jairus
Cornelius (1st Gentile convert to Christianity)
Risk of persecution is possible, however

6. Israel & Government Theocracy—A government ruled by God
The Mosaic Law—This includes the 10 Commandments, but there is much more. 613 commands are listed.
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Demand for a Human King—Israel wanted “to be like all the [other] nations” and demanded to have a king. (1 Samuel 8:20)
Israel Under Roman Law—After surviving regimes by Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, the people of Israel experienced moderate religious toleration under Rome (Pax Romana).

7. When Religious Convictions & Secular Law Cannot Coexist
“’Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!’ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’” – Acts 5:28-29
Example 1: Hobby Lobby Case
Example 2: The Cake Business & Gay Marriage
Example 3: Public schools and distribution of Christian materials

8. God Providentially Puts Every Governmental Official in Power
[Jesus to Pilate] “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:11)
“There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1b)
Question: How does play out in a democratic republic?

9. We Should Pray for Governmental Authorities
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Question: The Early Church thrived during persecution. Is persecution always good (or always bad) for the Church?

10. Christians Should Pay Their Taxes
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mark 12:17)
“Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’s sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13:5-7)
Question: How can American Christians justify the American Revolution in light of these passages?

11. What About Government Welfare?
[For Welfare] case-welfare-state
[Against Welfare] Alternative-to-Welfare
The challenge: Most passages on giving to the poor deal with the individual believer’s responsibility to care.
The moral requirements: People need to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10); people sometimes need financial help (Proverbs 28:27)
What about Ruth and the gleaning laws? (Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22)

12. Jesus > World Governments
“[Jesus is] far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Ephesians 1:21)

13. Random Side Topic
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