Disclaimer: I have changed my views on this issue and am working on a revised teaching which explains my new views. Here is the resource which helped me to come to this new understanding:
INTRODUCTION
Years ago I determined to pursue truth as an end in itself, not as a means to defend denominational biases. It is impossible to find truth, when you go to the Bible to prove your case. You are bound to wrest the Scripture to your own fancy, if you are not neutral when you come to the Word of God. You must come to the Word of God to learn, not to prove.
In all honesty, you are more in love with your ism, heritage, or denomination than you are with Jesus Christ if you would rather defend your “camp”, than defend the pure truth of God’s Word. The Pharisees started at the wrong end when they determined their doctrine: They decided where they wanted to arrive, and then geared their doctrine to make sure it would arrive at the predetermined destination. This is error, rebellion, and pride. You must get on the Bible train, and let it take you wherever it will. You must be seeking God’s conclusions, not enlisting God to defend your conclusions,
With this in mind, get on your knees and promise God that you will read this book with only one motive: to learn and defend truth for Jesus’ sake.
DEFINING THE TERMS
I. Non-resistance: (will be defined below)
2. Passivism: The unbiblical extreme of Non-resistance. We are going to use this term to describe those who teach that non-resistant Christians cannot hold office in the sword bearing state or protect those under their jurisdiction.
3. Pacifism: The unbiblical attempt to take the sword from the state and make it passive
also. The problem with our society is that we are too concerned with pacifying the rebel, rather than standing for truth and right.
In this pamphlet I am going to separate passivism from non-resistance. I believe most people who claim to believe non-resistance, actually are unbiblical passivists. I believe passivism is taking non-resistance to an unbiblical extreme. This difference will become evident as we go. The difference between “separation of church and state”, and “nonparticipation in government” is the same difference. “Non-participation” is the unbiblical extreme. In dealing with what we are calling passivism, we will naturally be dealing with pacifism, but we won’t directly refer to it, as our main goal is to put down the extreme position of passivism.
The doctrine of non-resistance, which is taken from Jesus’ words, “resist not evil…” is the Christian grace of unselfish love in action. We are working for the eternal salvation of sinful blind men. In doing so, we are going to suffer persecution. When we are insulted, and our carnal nature wants to retaliate, we instead walk in the Spirit of Love and seek to be ambassadors for Christ – not for our own ends. We leave our injuries in God’s just hands, and seek to win our enemies souls, knowing they are blind, and headed for Hell. We know we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against evil spirits who energize and motivate these blind sinners. Jesus knew this and prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,”. Stephen prayed for his murderers in the same manner, saying, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”.
Selfish men seek self-preservation at the expense of others; but Spiritual men seek the salvation of men at their own expense. This is the foundation of the teaching of non-resistance. This is sound doctrine and a very important aspect of the Christians’ testimony. The principle of non-vengeance goes back to the Old Testament; and has to do with us minding our own jurisdiction; and not taking the law into our own hands. It also has to do with the principle of fulfilling my duty before God, and not avenging myself with my own hand; which in the Bible is different than self-defense.
The law of Love, when engrafted into the believer’s life by the Holy Spirit will keep them from self-glory, self-exaltation, competition, vengeance, hate, slander, attack, rejoicing when their enemy falls, and any other fleshly pursuit that has it’s roots in “self-preservation at other’s expense”.
In churches that claim to be non-resistant it is sad to see men and women competing against their brethren, exalting themselves at the expense of their brothers, gossiping, slandering, and lacking love and compassion for the lost men around them. They may claim the doctrine of non-resistance, but they are sorely ignorant of the principles upon which it is based.
WHAT THE SCRIPTURES TEACH ABOUT
NON-RESISTANCE (OR NON-VENGEANCE)
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.” Lev. 19:18; Matt. 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31.
“But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” Lev. 19:34; Duet. 10:19.
“If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.” Ex. 23:4, 5
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17, 18
“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” Proverbs, 25:21, 22
“Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me…for without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul…False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not…Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions…Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me- For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land…This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me…” Ps. 35
“Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul…l am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.” Ps. 69:1-4
I have quoted a few Old Testament verses in order to show that the teaching of unselfish Love, peace-making and Non-vengeance is rooted in the Old Testament. Paul even quotes the Old Testament as his Scriptural authority when teaching Non-resistance in Romans 12.
The nation of Israel is different from the New Testament Church in that Israel was a nation with civil government. It included people who loved God and also those who just went with the program for personal gain. There was, at all times, only a remnant who truly had faith in God. The Church is not a nation with its own civil government, but the “remnant” element called out into separate assemblies among all nations, and under their respective governments. The Church IS the remnant, and is commanded to excommunicate all who don’t exercise an obedient faith in Christ.
The Law of Moses was given to organize a nation and teach civil leaders how to justly deal out judgment. The authorities were commanded to judge justly and deal out an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; which was a just and fair reward to the offender. However, carnal men began using this principle for their personal relationships. They had hate and vengeance in their hearts, and often took the law into their own hands or justified their personal vengeance with the “eye for an eye” principle. Hard hearted people always use righteous principles to their own advantage, and not as they were originally intended.
Men’s hard hearts were only outwardly controlled by the laws laid down; but Jesus came to regenerate men. He called them to repent of being hard hearted and to practice the true righteousness of the Law, not use the Law for their own designs. Thus we see Jesus correcting their misconceptions and abuses of the Law, and preaching the true spirit and righteousness of the Law in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7). Romans 8:4 says that when a New Testament believer walks in the Spirit, they are fulfilling the righteousness or “original intent” of God’s Moral Law through Moses. God’s Moral Law is eternal, and Jesus didn’t change it.
Moses’ Law was given to organize society; but Jesus’ teaching was to prepare men to preach the gospel to all nations where they could not expect a fair redress of grievances. They would have to go out as sheep among wolves and couldn’t expect justice. Jesus taught them to do right without expecting right in return – it was spiritual warfare. You can’t expect justice on the battle field. Jesus was talking about our personal responses while striving to be the salt of the earth; but Moses’ Laws were mostly written so magistrates could know how to deal with crimes. They do not contradict at all; but are meeting different needs. Jesus if clearing the Law of abuse and misapplication.
The non-resistance taught in the OT was in harmony with the sword bearing of the OT authorities, and what Jesus taught is also in harmony with God’s ordained governments bearing the sword as “ministers of God to thee for good” – Romans 13.
We will now see in the New Testament that Jesus upheld and fine tuned this spirit of non-vengeance when he taught and expounded the spiritual intent of God’s Law. The spiritually dull people in the Old Testament who did not yet fully comprehend all that Jesus would teach when he came; had misunderstood and misconstrued much of the “original intent” of God’s Law. Jesus is calling the remnant to come out and follow true righteousness.
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth…Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy…Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matt. 5:5-12
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Matt- 5:21 -24
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy- But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:38–48
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt. 6:14–15
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits, Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:14–21
“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” I Thess. 5:15
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently? but, if when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” I Peter 2:18-21
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; …but and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;…For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing-” I Peter 3:9-17
There are many other passages and related doctrines that come into play when dealing with this subject, but I would like to share one more before we go on in our study. In Revelation 12 Satan is represented as the great persecutor, deceiver, and accuser, Verse 11 reveals the believer’s response to all three of these attacks:
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
The believer’s response to persecution is not vengeance, hate, or war, but “loving not their lives unto the death”. They overcome deception by the “word of their testimony”; and they overcome accusation by claiming the “blood of the Lamb”.
You will notice that when the apostles were arrested, attacked, etc. for the preaching of the Gospel, they didn’t gather the believers together for battle or “hole up in the barn with a shotgun” or ambush the opposition with weapons. Non-resistance is an attitude of humility and willingness to suffer for doing what is right. It is an unwillingness to lower ourselves sinfully to become no better than the hateful sinners who persecute us; and it has much to do with jurisdiction, and honoring God ordained boundaries. Even King David knew the difference between killing Goliath and avenging himself on Nabal.
There are five God ordained authorities that we are accountable for in our life:
1. God
2. Parents
3. Husband
4. Civil authority
5. Bishop and elders
We are told to obey all of them; but what if they disagree? Who do we obey? Well, ultimately we must obey God. We obey God ordained authority until it would require us to disobey God, then we must obey God and not man. However, in doing this, we must be willing to suffer at the hands of the human authority with a meek and humble spirit as a testimony for God. If we are haughty and rebellious in this, we will not be thought to be truly seeking obedience to God, but only rebellion to man.
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
In the Old Testament nation of Israel there wasn’t much distinction between “church” and “state”. When they had a theocracy, and men like Moses & Samuel acted as spiritual and civil leaders, there was no distinction. However, after they set up Saul as king, there was a distinction. The kings were not to serve in the Temple, nor were the priests and Levites to reign as kings. The priests generally didn’t declare war, execute criminals, or enforce the law. However, they did have a “state church” and the civil authorities enforced obedience to the “church”.
Israel was a “nation” and “the congregation of the Lord” or “church”, not an assembly of believers within and among all nations. Because of this, you could not be a part of the “state” without being a part of the “church”. When there is a marriage of “church” and “state”, as there was in Israel, excommunication (church discipline) is done by execution or banishment (state discipline). Tithe and offering is upheld by law and becomes a “tax”. Membership and citizenship are joined into one, and so initiation (circumcision in the OT, and baptism in the NT) is applied to infants – because as soon as they are citizens of the state, they must be members of the church. In this setting there is little distinction between who actually wages war or executes criminals – the church or the state?
NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH & STATE
When Jesus set up the New Testament Church, it was not to rival or usurp authority from any earthly king or government, but be part of Christ’s heavenly kingdom on earth (John 18:33–37). This was a spiritual kingdom among all other kingdoms. This was a spiritual nation among all nations.
The New Testament Churches were called out assemblies of believers among the nations who were still subject to their respective state governments (Romans 13:1–8; 1 Peter 2:11–19). This required a separation between church government and state government. The church was not to run the state, and the state was not to run the church; but each had a separate and unique mission under separate administrations. They were both subject to fulfill God given mandates, and should dwell together in harmony under God.
The church government disciplines by excommunication, but the state government by execution, imprisonment, etc. The church government initiates members by baptism when they intelligently embrace the faith of Jesus Christ, but the state government counts its citizens from infancy. The church is supported by freewill tithes and offerings, but the state by mandatory tax. The qualification of church leaders is spiritual, but the state leaders are not always moral. So the government of the churches must be separate from the government of the states in which they dwell.
The church is not commissioned to wage physical war with physical weapons, but rather to wage spiritual war with spiritual weapons (2 Cor. 1.0:4). The state is commissioned to execute wrath on evil doers and protect its citizens by means of force (Romans 13).
ROMAN CATHOLICISM
The formation of the Roman Catholic Church was largely due to a marriage of church and state contrary to the teachings of the New Testament. In doing this they copied the Old Testament and assumed they were not only a holy church, but also a holy state or empire. They reverted back to much Old Testament order and even idolatry. They exchanged evangelism as the Biblical means of growing the church for the state method of growing the state – conquering. They dealt with heretics the way the state deals with criminals – execution. Tithe became tax, and baptism was now for infants; because they became citizens and members at the same time. Doctrine was now established by state legislature, not by preaching and exhortation based on Scripture with the example of godly living.
They developed a church hierarchy much like the Old Testament with priests, temples, altars, and the communion became their sacrifice. Ultimately, they denied the priesthood of every believer and the one mediator between God and men, Jesus Christ, when they made it illegal to give the Scriptures to the common people and taught confession of sins to the priest for forgiveness.
These gross errors were produced by power hungry men in church positions, who became worldly and apostate; but didn’t want their positions challenged or their powers lost. This error was promoted by denominational bias and pride that wanted the state’s help in eliminating the opposition. Thus we have 1200 plus years of terrible persecution called “The Dark Ages”. The reign of the Anti-Christ system showed its true colors, and justified its slaughter of over 50 million non-conformist believers by saying they were just trying to “discipline erring sheep”. This mother of harlots had a number of daughters (protestants) who followed the state-church union and persecuted any who didn’t agree.
THE ANA-BAPTISTS
During this time of Roman Catholic dominion, men who protested the marriage of church and state; who saw the horrible “crusades” of the Romish Church; and who were expected to participate in these church/state ventures; diligently taught the separation of church and state. They knew that men should not wage war in the name of the church or in the name of Christ. They suffered greatly for not participating in church initiated holy wars, and for protesting the corrupt state church doctrine and practice.
The descendants of these faithful believers are found in the reformation times (and earlier) as Anabaptists. They were called Anabaptists for maintaining the baptism of adult believers only, as opposed to that of infants in the state-church system. Many whom they baptized had already been “baptized” as children by the state church; so they were scornfully called re-baptizers (Ana – baptists).
These believers who held to the separation of church government and state government became divided on some important particulars about this separation of church and state. Does the separation of church government and state government mean the separation of church members and state? Can an officer of the state be also a member of the church? What about Christ’s teaching of Non-vengeance and loving your enemies? Some began to teach non-participation in government all together (Passivists). Others wanted to make the state passive (Pacifists). This teaching can be found in varying degrees. Most of the passivists agreed that a member of the church could not hold office in the state. Those we are calling passivists did believe that the state was to bear the sword (Romans 13); but the state could only be run by heathen, so every government was to be a heathen government, and there could be no Christian rulers.
This confusion arose from the ill feelings toward the state-church governments that they suffered under. The tendency to be anti-government was natural and to be expected in such circumstances. But was it Biblical? To be an officer of the state/church seemed to be cooperating with the Anti-Christ system. Were they to participate in the Anti-Christ church’s “evangelism with the sword”? When an apostate church is married to the state it really complicates matters. When your church is illegal according to this state, then how can you support the state? From these trying circumstances, there arose some unbiblical teaching about the separation of church and state as well as non-resistance.
We must remember that the Christians of the first century also were under state governments opposed to their church. Most governments were pagan, and those living in Israel were still under Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus Christ. These believers had to deal with pagan emperors, just as the Ana-Baptists had to deal with apostate religious rulers. How did they deal with it?
DEMONSTRATION – NOT – INTERPRETATION
We are not going to interpret Scripture to start with, but we are going to demonstrate certain undeniable facts of Scripture, which will serve as foundation stones for interpretation. These undeniable facts greatly narrow our options of interpretation, therefore it is vital to sound interpretation that we first analyze these facts.
DID THE APOSTLES BELIEVE YOU COULD BE AN OFFICER OF THE STATE AND ALSO A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH?
About 12 years after Pentecost God opened the door of the Gospel to uncircumcised Gentiles. They could be baptized into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ without first being Jewish Proselytes. Of all the Gentiles in the world whom God could have used to open this door, who did he choose? He used an officer of the state! He chose not only an officer of the state, but an officer of the state military! Cornelius. Notice carefully the attitude of Scripture as it describes this man BEFORE he was even converted. (Acts 10)
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, adevout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose name is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that wailed on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.”
Cornelius, in God’s estimation was “devout” and “God fearing” as an officer over 100 soldiers in the Roman army. He also had a devout soldier, who was his servant, whom he sent with other servants to protect them from robbers while they went to get Peter. Why wasn’t Cornelius considered wicked and vile? Why wasn’t he convicted and repentant for being a soldier of the state? We will see.
After this our story takes us to Peter having a vision whereby God makes it clear to him that “what God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” Then Peter goes with the servants and preaches the Gospel to Cornelius.
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word….Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to he baptized in the name of the Lord.” Acts 10:44-47
Peter barely had time to share who Jesus was, and what he offered. Why didn’t God give him time to tell Cornelius to stop being a soldier of the state before he poured out the Holy Ghost on him? In Acts II we find from Peter’s testimony that he had just “began to speak”. So he didn’t have much time to spell out non – resistance.
More than this; Hear what Peter says about God sending an Angel to lead Cornelius to the Gospel:
“Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Acts 10:34,35
Peter testified that, because Cornelius was God-fearing and was working righteousness (already), God had mercy on him and was leading him to salvation. Why no mention of him repenting of his state office? Why was this not made an issue at all anywhere? We shall see.
Now we will skip over to chapter 11 and hear Peter defending himself – not for baptizing a state officer and a military man – but for baptizing an uncircumcised Gentile. We will see that the fact of him being an officer of the state or a soldier was not a problem for them at all; but first lets get the full testimony of Peter on the subject.
“And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them…And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the Word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Acts 11:2-18
Again, nothing at all is said about his position as a soldier or state officer, but only that he was a Gentile.
Once again hear Peter in Acts 15:
“And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:7-9
It would be nice if people today were as easy to convince as these Jews were. Peter did not “interpret”, but “demonstrated” by God’s very actions and choices what the obvious conclusion must be. God put no difference between this uncircumcised Gentile officer of the state military and the apostles when he believed on Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Peter’s argument is that because God poured out the Holy Spirit while Cornelius was still uncircumcised, that it would be tempting God to force it on him now — the same argument could be given for the fact that God poured the Spirit upon Cornelius while he was a Roman officer.
In this case we have God choosing for the first Gentile convert – a Roman centurion. There is absolutely no evidence of Cornelius stepping down from his position, or being instructed on passivism before his baptism –all the evidence is to the contrary. He was an officer of the state, and now a member of the body of Christ.
Notice not one person raised concern about his being a soldier or an officer of the state. Why would they, when Jesus and John the baptist also accepted officers of the state? Publicans (Matt. 21:31-32) and centurions are officers of the state (Matt. 8:5-10). Consider what Jesus was saying about another Centurion like Cornelius in these verses:
Matt. 8:10 “When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Jesus is saying to those around that men like this Roman Centurion will be in heaven, while many Jews without his faith, will be cast out — Can you accept this from Jesus’ mouth?
Zaccheus was an officer of the state. It is obvious Jesus didn’t demand him to change occupations, but endorsed his continuance as an honest and fair tax collector.
John the Baptist, the one with the “baptism of repentance” to “prepare the way of the LORD”, is recorded in Luke 3 in a direct pre-baptism discussion with two different groups who were officers of the state:
“Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”
It is obvious to the humble seeker of truth that “do violence to no man” is related to “neither accuse any falsely”. It does not mean they couldn’t continue as a soldier, because John also says, “be content with your wages”. John wouldn’t tell them to collect a check for being a soldier, and then not fulfill their duty, as this would be living a lie. “Do violence” is the abuse of power, not the use of power in the line of just duty as an officer of the state. There is no doubt that John’s concept of “do violence to no man” meant, “Don’t abuse your power”. When sent to arrest or guard, many soldiers would rough up their captive, extort money, and threaten contrary to the law and outside of the realm of just and righteous duty. The soldier who was not content with his wages would try to extort money by violence. If this didn’t work, he would accuse them falsely.
Adam Clarke says “Do violence to no man” means, “…do not extort money or goods by force or violence from any. This is the import of the words neminein concutite, used here by the Vulgate, and points out a crime of which the Roman soldiers were notoriously guilty, their own writers being witnesses. Concussio has the above meaning in the Roman law.”
Adam Clarke, after commenting on the phrase, “neither accuse any falsely”, says, “Bishop Pearce observes that, when the concussio above referred to did not produce the desired effect they wished, they often falsely accused the persons, which is the reason why this advice is added.”
Yes, I know some will say John was still Old Testament; but he was come to “prepare the way of the LORD”, and the soldiers in Luke 3 were asking him what to do to “prepare for the Messiah’s coming”. Jesus said the Law and the Prophets were until John, and since that time, the kingdom of Heaven is preached — John was not “Old Testament” as they are saying.
And what if John was “Old Testament”? God’s morality doesn’t change and what was righteous before God in the Old Testament is still righteous before God. Jesus is the author of the Old Testament. Romans 8:4 declares that the righteousness of the Law (Moral Law) is fulfilled in believers who walk in the Spirit. Moses’ Law was still binding on all men until 12 years after Pentecost when Gentiles were accepted without circumcision. The Jews were still under all Moses’ Law in Acts 21 (29 years after Pentecost); and the Moral Law is binding on all men for eternity.
So, we find John the Baptist didn’t have a problem baptizing repentant publicans and soldiers; Jesus said the Centurion would be in Heaven; the apostles didn’t have a problem baptizing soldiers; and now we will see:
1. Paul’s first recorded convert on his first missionary journey was a governor (proconsul), Sergius Paulus (Acts 13). It is obvious that Paul did not tell the man to step down from his state office. There is absolutely no evidence that he did step down.
2. Paul’s second missionary journey is highlighted with the remarkable conversion story of the Philippian jailor (Acts 1.6). The Philippian jailor was baptized at midnight, and the next day we find him still the keeper of the prison – thus saith the Scripture. It is clear that he did not step down upon conversion. Not even a mention of his planning to.
3. Philip converted the Ethiopian eunuch, a Jewish proselyte. He was an eunuch of great authority, and the treasurer of Candace queen of the Ethiopians. It is obvious he didn’t step down from his state office. (Acts 8)
4. Erastus, the chamberlain of the city of Corinth was a church member and a beloved brother. (Romans 16:23, Acts 19:22, 2 Tim. 4:20). It is clear that when Paul wrote Romans, he had not stepped down from his office, though it seems he served with Paul later, possibly after his term was over. Maybe he retired. But, when he was converted, he was the chamberlain of the city.
Now, before you feel so sure that we are heretics, stop and ask yourself, “Would my church baptize these men who were baptized by the apostles?” ……Why not?
These few examples serve to demonstrate the truth, so when we interpret, we won’t be off track. You can’t argue with truth demonstrated.
I’ve read passivists who declare that during the first three centuries high public officials had to step down to be church members; but they gave no evidence for this. I’ve never seen evidence for this being the apostolic position; but we have given you much to the contrary – and there is more in extra-biblical sources. If you look at the persecutions that took place, you’ll find records of certain public officials and soldiers being persecuted also.
Now, how is it that one can be an officer of the state, and still obey Christ’s teachings of loving their enemies and not avenging themselves? We must either conclude that this can be done, or conclude that these converts didn’t obey Christ — and the apostles didn’t say a word. Only one conclusion is possible — they obeyed Christ and served in a state office. I’ll explain how.
Duty and Jurisdiction vs. Personal Vendetta
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.” Romans 13:1- 6
When an officer of the state executes righteously his duty, he is acting, not as an individual avenging himself, but as an officer of the state fulfilling the mandate of God. What he does is not in his own name or person, but in the name of the state, AND AS A MINISTER OF GOD. The arrest, execution, etc. is a matter of duty, and not a matter of personal hate, envy, vengeance, etc. The Bible commands the governing officials to kill, judge, punish, etc.; but commands us as persons not to take the law into our own hands for personal vengeance. Even those in a position of authority are not to use that position for personal vengeance.
Nowhere in the Bible is it implied that a state officer commits murder or breaks God’s Law when executing a duly convicted criminal. God, as the judge of all the universe, is love! He is still love when he destroys wicked men with a flood, or sends people to Hell. He is still love when he destroys Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone. If God did not execute the penalty of the Law on transgressors he would not be just, holy, and would not love the innocent and obedient.
Even so, a man, who is commanded to love and forgive even his personal enemies, when serving as an officer of the state, cannot violate the civil law and pardon a criminal because of feelings of pity. He has no right to become personally involved, except to fairly execute the law in the fear of God. He is acting as an officer of the state under the commission of God — he has no right to act in his own person, as he is not the state. See Deut. 19:13 concerning the execution of a murderer:
“Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.”
When a government is just in its dealings, even when it uses the sword under the mandate of a loving God, it is an act of love. The God of love knows that if sinful and wicked men are left in anarchy without accountability and punishment, it will be the innocent and peace loving people who will suffer. Out of love for the innocent and weak, God ordains government to put down evil and protect good. God also is concerned about putting away evil influences. God wants the young to “see and fear” the consequences of going down the road of crime and lawlessness. See Deut. 19:20 concerning the effects of justice:
“And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.”
To serve as an officer of God ordained government is a service of love. When a government gives unjust and wicked orders, which are outside the mandate of God’s laws, then Christian state officers must conscientiously object, and obey God rather than men. Most of the time, however, as Paul states in Romans 13, government rewards the good, and punishes the evil.
The individual who obeys Romans 12:14-21 can also be an officer of the state as in Romans 13:1-6. Romans 12 covers his PERSONAL life and attitude, while Romans 13 deals with his DUTY AS A MINISTER OF GOD for the state. He still has the same heart and attitude, he is still walking in the fear of God, which is the very thing that makes his duty just and fair. He is the best magistrate to have! He is much like Jesus will be when he returns to Judge the world in righteousness. If you think love and justice are mutually exclusive or opposing forces, then you don’t understand God’s love or His judgment. God’s love and judgment are not like the Chinese “Yin-Yang”; God’s love is the basis of his judgment – very different than passivism.
If I am a sheriff, and have personal enemies or insults, I am to obey Christ and not seek vengeance or render evil for evil. In my personal attitude and affairs, I am to be “devout” and “God fearing” just like Cornelius. If I am devout in my personal attitude, then I will be devout in my execution of duty before God.
When I am in the line of duty for the state as a minister of God (Romans 13); then what I do is in the name of the state, it is not personal in nature. If I must execute a criminal, it is not a personal vendetta, but an act of righteous duty to protect the innocent victims and obey God. The state is not called to overlook criminals, but to deal justice to them. They are called to execute God’s wrath and vengeance upon the evil doers. When one is an officer of the state, he is to do his duty before God in an honest and just way. The fact that the act of duty is not in his own name, but the name of the state doesn’t excuse sin; but demands he do what is righteous for the state to do under the mandate of God. What he does would not be righteous for an individual. Why? Because, as an individual, he does not have jurisdiction, authority, nor duty to act in such a way — that is what makes it sinful for an individual, but not for the state officer.
Go ask a police officer if he is allowed to become personally involved with the insults he receives in the line of duty and lash back in personal vengeance; or if he must ignore what he hears and stay in the line of duty within the law. If a prison guard develops a personal vendetta against a prisoner, and beats him, he will be disciplined for his action. King David, in the Old Testament, even understood that he was not to avenge himself with his own hand (I Sam. 25:26-33). He also knew that as a king or soldier he was to protect the innocent.
Now, if I am a soldier or police officer, and am ordered to commit some injustice or evil work outside the realms of Godly government, I will conscientiously object and suffer as a Christian – just like the servant spoken of in I Peter.
Balthasar Hubmaier, an Anabaptist minister and martyr for the faith, in commenting on Romans 12:19, says concerning good government, “…government has no enemy, hates no one, envies no one, it also then does not desire to wreak vengeance on anyone. Rather, what it does it must do by the mandate of God, who intends through it as his instrument to punish wicked and harmful people. It does this not out of anger, but with a sad heart. Vengeance, however, follows from wrath, but if one wants to avenge oneself out of one’s own wrath it is forbidden here, for the vengeance is God’s, Deut. 32:35; Heb. 10:30. He wants to repay evil, Prov. 25:21 – 22. Therefore after the twelfth chapter Paul shows the reason in the thirteenth chapter why we should not avenge ourselves, for God has ordained the government as his servant to bring vengeance. It is the government’s duty to protect, punish, and avenge.”
As a Christian, it is not appropriate that I should selfishly desire to have the rule and power of government. Jesus rebuked the disciples for seeking to lord over each other. However, to humbly serve your fellow man and meet a need that is pressed upon you is a different situation. Jesus didn’t forbid having “bishops” in the church, and He wasn’t forbiding Christians being in roles of authority. To be converted while in office does not require one to step down. A Christian who is in government doesn’t “lord over” anyone, but serves in the fear of God. Jesus drove the money changers out of the Temple with force because it was his Father’s house – that means he was given jurisdiction over this area, and it was his responsibility to maintain “law and order”. He wasn’t violating nonresistance any more than a parent who spanks, a master who punishes a servant, or a police who keeps the peace. Jesus wasn’t very passive that day in the temple.
Recently I’ve read a passivist’s book arguing that Jesus only used the scourge on the animals, not the men. Isn’t this silly? Does this man spank his children? Does he also think THAT is Old Testament? “After all, it is in the book of Proverbs, ya know.” Read the facts and judge for yourself:
John 2:14 “And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
Jesus drove the MEN and the sheep and oxen out of the temple. After it says He drove “them all” out of the temple, it adds, “and the sheep…”. Only proud men try to twist the Scripture for their own purposes.
DUTY OF LOVE
“If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Prov. 24:11,12
In the Law of Moses (Deut 22) it says that if a damsel is attacked in the city and she doesn’t cry out for help, she is considered guilty of the fornication and stoned. If she cries out for help, she is considered innocent. Now, pray tell me what I, as a God fearing man, am to do if I hear the damsel cry out for help? Should I pray for her? Maybe I should tell her that I can’t get involved because I don’t believe in violence? NO. If I have God’s love abiding in me, I will do my best to deliver her from her attacker. This is not just for an officer of the state, but for any person who is able to help this victim.
The girl is supposed to fight back, or she is considered immoral, and the man who hears her is to lay down his life to save her. Has this changed? NOT AT ALL! Would not a woman who yields to the rapist without crying for help still have her innocence questioned? She is still to cry out, flee, and resist. And a person who hears her cry is still supposed to try and deliver her.
This is not contrary to God’s love or Jesus’ teachings. Common sense tells us that if Jesus or his disciples saw someone trying to molest Martha or Mary, they wouldn’t just stand by and weep. There is a duty involved in protecting the weak if it is in our power to do so. This is love. In order for Jesus, who was born “under the Law” (Gal. 4:4), to be the spotless, lawful, Lamb to atone for sins; He could not have violated the Law in word or deed. This proves that he would have tried to “deliver them that are drawn unto death” like Prov. 24:11,12 states; and also that he would have delivered the damsel who cried. This also proves He never preached anything contrary to the “righteousness of the Law” (Romans 8:4).
We don’t hate anyone, and to stop a criminal from committing a crime is also love. Love has priorities. Jesus didn’t say to Love your enemies more than your neighbor or wife. He didn’t say, “If a man take your daughter, give him your wife also” — We must keep his words in the context in which he spoke them. Jesus was clearing the Law of misconceptions, not changing God’s Word or correcting it.
Taking Jesus’ words to an unwarranted extreme is dangerous. Just after Jesus said, “resist not evil” He made another statement that could be taken to the opposite extreme from where the passivists take “resist not evil”.
Matt. 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
This is speaking of forced service, and refers to military service. A Roman soldier could commandeer a civilian to carry his armor or weapons for a mile. Jesus says to go the second mile as a volunteer.
Liberty Bible Commentary: “In ancient times government agents were in a position to compel forced service upon a subjugated people. A Roman soldier, for example, could compel a Jewish native to carry his armor or materials for one mile, in order to relieve the soldier. Jesus now states that if someone compels you to walk a mile, go with him twain. The believer is to be willing to “go the extra mile”. Doing double our duty not only proves the loyalty and faithfulness of our cooperation to human authority, but likewise proves the spiritual intention of our heart. It also provides an opportunity of conviction in order to witness effectively out of our life message. It would have been foolish for the believer of Jesus’ day to reluctantly go only a mile with a Roman official and then attempt to share the gospel with him. By going the second mile he proved the innermost intention of his heart.”
Can you imagine where this could go in the hands of an extremist? One could justify any draft or command being obeyed even beyond what is commanded; but this would not be sound Bible teaching — nor is passivism’s extremes.
Balthasar Hubmaier says that if you forbear to deliver or protect the weak when it is in your power to do so, then you share in the guilt of their death. If my neighbors’ wife calls crying and tells me that a drunk man is breaking into her house; I am not going to tell her, “I’m sorry, but I don’t believe in violence, so I can’t get involved, but I will pray for you.” Instead, I would tell my wife to call the police while I go try to detain the man until they arrive. If the only way I can stop him is by force, then I will use force to protect the innocent. When Paul knew that men sought his life, he reported it to the authorities (Acts 23:17) and endorsed the use of 200+ soldiers to protect him. He carried his defense to the supreme court, and appealed to Caesar to protect him.
Now, there is a difference between me, the head of my house, “protecting my family from a drug or alcohol soaked criminal until the authorities can arrive” AND “rebelling or warring against God ordained authority, or hatefully responding to people which may be persecuting me for my faith” – This difference I think is quite evident to the open mind. Jesus said you couldn’t spoil the house until you bound the strong man — this was an understood principle of society, and still is. You are responsible to protect from evil those under your jurisdiction.
The Christian’s option’s when persecuted for the faith are given in Scripture:
1.. FLEE: This would apply to all persecution, even from Government. Matthew 10:23 says, “…when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another…”
Paul did this once when the city of Damascus was kept with a garrison. The brethren let him down over the wall in a basket with ropes and he escaped. God broke Peter and others out of jail. To flee from one city to another or one government to another is the first and best mode of response. Even Jesus used this on a number of occasions.
2. APPEAL TO AUTHORITY: This is what Paul did in Acts 25:11. He appealed to the Roman supreme court for protection against his persecutors. Many passivists won’t even appeal to the authorities for protection, because they feel it is wrong. It would not be wrong to say Paul “sued for protection” as that is exactly what he did.
This includes calling the police, alerting proper authorities, etc. The Christian is not allowed to avenge himself by means of a lawsuit, but, just as Paul, he is allowed to defend himself through legal channels. Paul made use of his Roman citizenship to avoid injustice on a number of occasions. Paul’s appealing to Caesar; his Roman citizenship; and reporting the Jew’s evil plans to the authorities for protection — all this was Paul authorizing the soldiers and magistrates to act on his behalf. If he thought it evil for them to bear swords and act as they did, he was a hypocrite for demanding they do their duty on his behalf. I know people who think it is wrong for me to have a vehicle, electricity, computer and internet; but it is amazing how much they want me to use them on their behalf. Paul was not this way. If it was wrong for them to do, he would not have authorized the action.
3. SUFFER: This is what we have already given sufficient Scripture for. We must commit our case to God and cry out for deliverance. We are not allowed to deny Christ or his doctrine in the face of death or torture. If we are faithful unto death, we will receive the crown of eternal life. In every instance love, not hate; Spirit, not flesh; and God’s will, not our own will must be the motivating factor. The man who has been habitually studying and following the principles of Scripture will receive the Spiritual guidance he needs at the crucial time.
COMMON QUESTIONS
I. Doesn’t the Bible say, Thou shalt not kill?
Yes, and the same God who said that commanded the government officers to kill many people, and judged them sorely when they disobeyed. That command is to individuals to not murder. Shedding innocent blood is also wrong for government.
2. Do early Christian writings tell of soldiers in the Roman army?
Yes, they certainly do. They also tell of times when these soldiers lost their lives because a pagan emperor ordered all his soldiers to put an oblation on the pagan altar; and they refused.
Once, 40 soldiers were marched onto a frozen lake to die because they wouldn’t deny Christ when the pagan emperor decided to persecute Christians. Tertullian gives the idea that, If you were converted while a soldier, you were allowed to fulfill your term; but a Christian wasn’t supposed to seek military life as a career. This was largely due to all the problems they would face in. deciding “when to obey orders” and “when not to” for conscience sake under a pagan government. The Christian should seek to be free to build the kingdom of God, not serve in the kingdom of men unnecessarily.
3. Did all the Anabaptists believe in non-participation in government and passivism?
No. Balthasar Hubmaier and many others with him believed as I do on this issue. I have this man’s writings on the subject.
If you read the writings of Menno Simons, you will find he doesn’t believe in this modern Mennonite position, though he probably didn’t completely agree with Balthasar Hubmaier. He believed Magistrates could be Christians and saved without stepping down or becoming a passivist. He was much against the Church government acting as a civil government as the state churches were doing; but he was much for having Christian magistrates who used the sword in a just and righteous way, according to Romans 13. The following quotes are from The Complete Writings Of Menno Simons published by Herald Press.
“Therefore, dear sirs, take heed; this is the task to which you are called: namely, to chastise and punish, in the true fear of God with fairness and Christian discretion, manifest criminals, such as thieves, murderers, Sodomites, adulterers, seducers, sorcerers, the violent, highwaymen, robbers, etc. Your task is to do justice between a man and his neighbor, to deliver the oppressed out of the hand of the oppressor… Such rulers were Moses, Joshua, David,..0 highly renowned, noble lords, believe Christ’s Word, fear God’s wrath, love righteousness, do justice to widows and orphans….bow to the scepter of him who called you to this high service. Then shall your throne stand firm forever.” Pg. 193
‘Do not boast that you are mighty ones upon the earth, and have great power, but boast in this rather if so be you rule your land in the true fear of God with virtuous wisdom and Christian righteousness to the praise of the Lord…For if you are such kings, then you are not only kings according to the flesh, but also according to the spirit;” Pg. 206
“Be pleased, in godly fear, to ponder what it is that God requires of your Highnesses. It is that without any respect of persons you judge between a man and his neighbor, protect the wronged from him who does him wrong, even as the Lord declares, Execute judgment and justice, Assist, against the violent, him that is robbed, Abuse not the stranger, the widow, the orphan, Do violence to no man, and shed no innocent blood, so that your despised servants and unhappy subjects, having escaped the mouth of the lion, may in your domain. …serve the Lord in quietness and peace…” Pg. 526
“Dear sirs, seek God; fear God; serve God with all your might; do justice to widows, orphans, strangers, the sad, and the oppressed; wash your hands of blood; rule your lands with wisdom and peace. Train yourselves in thought, word, and deed upon the crucified Christ Jesus, follow his steps, and then, though your sins be red as blood they shall be white as snow, though they be red as crimson they shall be as wool!” Pg. 529
“Paul says, Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil…But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil…you may understand from these Scriptures that you are called of God and ordained to your offices to punish the transgressors and protect the good…” Pg. 550-551
“He that saith he abideth in Christ, he, whether he be emperor or king, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. I John 2:6. Beloved lords, this is God’s Word. This is the prize and standard after which we should strive…We teach and direct you in the right way which you should walk if you wish to be saved…God is my witness that I desire nothing but that you all may actually be what you are acclaimed to be noble lords and Christian magistrates…” Pg. 553-554
It is obvious from the Scriptures and thoughts Menno employs that he didn’t believe what modern passivists believe. Menno, who was chosen as head bishop over the Anabaptist movement, should be a good representation of what they believed. Is there such thing as a Christian magistrate who follows Jesus? Menno thought so.
Did you notice that Menno’s understanding of “Do violence to no man” is simply “don’t shed innocent blood or abuse your office” (Pg. 526). How is it that Mennonites today have veered so far from the common sense and Scriptural understanding of their forefathers? Menno believed that when a magistrate rightly and fairly executed his office to protect the innocent and punish the wicked that he was “following Jesus”! He uses Old Testament examples to teach what New Testament state officers were to be like! He teaches that emperors and kings can walk as Jesus walked, even in their positions! How different from modern day Mennonites; BUT HE WAS RIGHT.
5. Didn’t Jesus tell Peter to put away his sword?
Yes, Jesus told Peter to sheath his sword; but the most amazing thing about this whole passage in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18:10 is that Peter was wearing a sword! PETER, who had been trained by Jesus for 3½ years; PETER, who was one of the inner circle of disciples; PETER, who personally heard the sermon on the mount from the mouth of Jesus and could ask any questions he wanted; PETER, who was with Jesus through his entire ministry – was wearing a sword and intended to use it for self-defense. Isn’t that amazing? Not only did he have a sword, but Jesus knew he had a sword. If Jesus had a problem with Peter having and wearing a sword, he would have rebuked him for that long ago. Peter possibly had this sword while he went out preaching and baptizing isn’t that amazing! Actually, Jesus had told the disciples proverbially to sell their shirt and buy a sword due to upcoming troubles. Jesus was being arrested by the authorities, and resisting arrest is a criminal act — this is why Jesus told Peter to put up the sword.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I know Jesus didn’t mean for the disciples to start wielding the sword in battle, because history shows none of them did when persecuted. I also know that Peter and the other apostles didn’t yet understand everything about Jesus’ teachings; but, had Jesus been the passivist that many are making him out to be today; he would have gotten rid of Peter’s sword a long time ago! It is possible that the show of force, and the fact that they had swords kept the mob from pursuing the disciples, rather than only taking Jesus – this may have been part of Jesus’ purpose.
Jesus told Peter to sheath his sword in this situation, not throw it away. John 18:11 has Jesus giving Peter the reason he was not to defend him, “Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” Jesus knew his time had come. He also told Peter to do this, because “all those who draw the sword upon their own authority, and against the governing authority, will fall under the judgment of the state sword” (Balthasar). Jesus was arrested by the authority of the chief priests and Jewish elders. Had his disciples fought and killed someone, then they would have been accused of criminal action or insurrection. These were not just criminals doing mischief, but officers with authority to arrest Jesus.
Jesus never allowed the courts to have any legitimate accusation against him, and He wasn’t going to start now. Not only that, but Jesus had told the disciples already that his time was come, and he did not want them to get in the way. He had already rebuked Peter for this once. Now, he could even use their lack of fighting as evidence before Pilate that his Kingdom was spiritual, and not a rival of earthly governments.
Now, let me candidly say, since most passivists who will shout, “all they that take the sword, shall PERISH with the sword” (and interpret perish to mean “go to hell”); also hold to the espousal theory about the divorce and remarriage issue — Let me say to them that since Matthew was only written to the Jews (according to them), then this passage about perishing with the sword must only be for the Jews also. If the “exception clause” only being in Matthew makes it for Jews only, then be consistent and say that “perishing with the sword” is also only for the Jews; because it is left out of the other 3 gospels!
6. What about the draft?
There is an important principle that determines whether or not a Christian should help the government officers when asked to do so.
Is it due to righteous government action? Is the endeavor that the government is asking help with a just and righteous cause? Is it within the bounds of God ordained government action? Or, are they acting in unholy aggression? Are they seeking wealth at another’s expense? If you are uncertain whether you should participate, then be a conscientious objector. Don’t violate your conscience before God to spare your life. Your eternal salvation depends on you maintaining a clear conscience before God. “He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not in faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). This principle applies to anything that could defile your conscience before God. But God also expects you to obey the authorities.
If the local Sheriff comes to my ranch and tells me there is a group of criminals that plan to shoot up our little country town, and he needs a posse to protect the town. What do I do? Do I tell him that I am a Christian, and therefore I cannot help him? He is the minister of God for this purpose; but I cannot help him; because helping this minister of God do his God given duty and lay down his life to save innocent lives is sinful. Is this good sense?
Now, on a larger scale, when the United States Government (who has kicked God out of its’ education system, accepts sodomites in the military, and promotes much ungodliness) tells you it needs your help to fight a foreign country – How can you know who is being the bad guy? Maybe the USA is being a global bully to maintain it’s money and oil supply. Who knows? Well, if you are unsure about the political maneuvering behind the scenes, then you should conscientiously object. It becomes a matter of personal faith and conscience before God, and Christians ought to forbear those who disagree with them on this subject. We will all answer to Christ for maintaining a pure conscience and doing only those things that we can do in faith that it pleases God. We will also answer to Christ for not cooperating and helping in righteous government action.
Balthasar Hubmaier, an Anabaptist minister and martyr for the faith, writes concerning Romans 13:1-7:
“…everyone should be subject to the government. Believing or unbelieving, we should be obedient and subject to it. He points out the reason. For there is no government which does not come from God. Therefore obedience consists in all that which is not against God, for God has not ordered the government against himself. Now if the government wants to punish the evil ones-as it should for the sake of their soul’s salvation-and is yet not strong enough to deal with the evil ones, then it is now to command its subjects through bells and various alarm signals, letters, or through other summons. Subjects are obligated for the sake of the salvation of their souls to sustain and help their superiors so that the evil ones are annihilated and rooted out according to the will of God. Nevertheless, subjects should first test well the spirit of their governments, as to whether they are not moved and compelled more out of arrogance, rather than out of love of the common good and territorial peace. For that would not be to use the sword according to the order of God. However, if you recognize that the government punishes the evil only so that the righteous remain at rest and unharmed, then help, counsel, and sustain it, as often and as much as you are commanded. Thereby, you fulfill the order of God and do his work and not a human work. However, if a government is childish or foolish, yea, perchance it is not competent at all to reign, then you may escape from it legitimately and accept another, if it is good. For on account of an evil government God has often punished an entire land. If the seeking of another cannot be done lawfully and peacefully, and not also without great damage and rebellion, then one must endure it, as the one which God has given us in his wrath, and as if he desires to chastise us on account of our sins, as those who deserve no better.
Whoever now does not want to help the government save widows, orphans, and other oppressed ones, as well as to punish vandals and tyrants, resists the order of God and will receive a judgment from him, for he acts against the mandate and order of God, who wants the righteous to be protected and the evil punished. However, if you are obedient you should truly know that you are obedient not to the government or to people but to God himself, and you have become a special servant of God just as the government itself also is nothing other than a servant of God.
However, Paul testifies openly that the government has the power and authority to kill the evil when he says: “The authority does not bear the sword in vain.” If now the government did not have the authority to kill, why should the sword then hang at its side? It would then bear it in vain, which Paul cannot bear. He also explicitly adds that the authority is the servant of God. Where are now those who say a Christian cannot use the sword? For if a Christian could not be a servant of God, could not fulfill the mandate of God without sinning, then God would not be good. He would have made an order which a Christian could not fulfill without sin. That is blasphemy.
Accordingly I counsel you faithfully, dear brothers, return and repent. You have stumbled badly and produced much trash everywhere against God and against brotherly love under the appearance of spirituality and the pretense of humility. God knows whom I mean.” Balthasar Hubmaier, pgs. 520,521.
Here, Balthasar is writing to correct passivist Anabaptists. He also says that if the judge is righteous to condemn the criminal to death, then the executioner is no less righteous to fulfill the order of the judge. He points out faithful men like Benaiah, in the Old Testament, who fulfilled the orders of King Solomon. Then he adds, “Therefore the judges, governments, and executors of justice are called servants of God in the Scripture and not murderers, Rom. 13:4. God judges, sentences, and kills through them, and not they themselves. From this it follows that those who do not want to kill the evildoer but let them live, are acting and sinning against the commandment: “You should not kill.” For whoever does not protect the righteous kills him and is guilty of his death as much as the one who does not feed the hungry.”
It is interesting that passivists will pay the executioner, the judge, the police, etc. to arrest and execute a criminal – with their taxes; and then think they have no part in it. When God commanded you to pay governors to do their jobs, God made you a part of it. God called them his ministers, and told you to pay them, honor them, and pray for them.
Yet, some have foolishly said that those in government are a special class that cannot believe because “the world needs governors, and Christians cannot be governors”. I’d like to see someone find this in the Bible!
7. Didn’t Jesus say, “If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight” implying that his servants would never fight? (John 18:36)
No, Actually Jesus said, “. . if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered unto the Jews;”. This is what Jesus said. I would like to know why in every passivist tract that I have read, they only quote part of the statement in order to give a false impression of Jesus’ statement! I think they realize that to quote the whole sentence gives their case away.
It is obvious what Jesus meant when you read the whole sentence. It is proof that he was not rivaling any earthly kingdom, because his disciples did not fight to deliver him. This is why Jesus told Peter to put away his sword – He did not want to give a wrong impression and opportunity for his enemies to accuse him.
As a friend pointed out after reading the manuscript, “Jesus said, ‘now’ is my kingdom not from hence. His kingdom will indeed replace those of this world, in flaming fire and vengeance, at his second coming. But we are still in the ‘now’, and his servants do not advance his kingdom by fighting”.
8. Doesn’t non-resistance go beyond the prohibition of personal vengeance to the point of forgoing legitimate means of redress (I Cor.6:7)?
I don’t believe “non-resistance” goes to the point of foregoing all legitimate means of redress.
2Cor. 6:1-8, “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that ye shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame, Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.”
2Cor. 6:1-8 actually establishes a legitimate means of redress between brethren. This passage has to do with quarrels between brethren. To appeal to Caesar when attacked by evil men is not outside the realms of non-resistance, or Paul would have been condemned for doing it. He appealed to the Law concerning his Roman citizenship many times to keep from being beaten and imprisoned. He appeared before a number of kings and finally Caesar to appeal for just protection.
9. Hasn’t the church come to greater light over the course of 2000 years?
I believe that the apostles were the only ones who could claim to have “all truth” as given by the Holy Spirit. I don’t believe the “church” is growing to greater light and revelation as some believe. Individuals are gaining greater understanding of “the faith once delivered unto the saints”; but God is not adding to that “faith” any new revelations. Therefore we are commanded to hold fast the truth handed to us by the apostles, and be followers of them; not assuming we can improve upon their teaching (Acts 20:26–31).
10. Is government office a fitting and honorable pursuit for Christians?
Government office, in general, is not a wise pursuit for believers, as we have mentioned already. I think we would agree that there is a difference between Christians pursuing politics or military life, and Christians remaining in a position where grace found them. “Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather (l Cor. 7:21). “We are simply establishing the fact that faith and government involvement are not mutually exclusive. If there were a situation where a community was predominantly Christian, obviously God still wants officers for the state, and Christians would need to fill the spot. I believe it is a falsehood to think God has ordained something to be done by man that believers cannot righteously do; and even do much better than lost men. I don’t believe that only lost men can fill the office of Government. That would really cause a problem in a community if, due to the conversion of the sheriff and judge, the only lost men were the murderers in the jail. Nor do I believe that we are to change society by government. We, as the salt of the earth, are to change society through the preaching of the gospel.
11. Did the apostles accept men in government the way they accepted men in polygamous and mixed faith marriages?
No. The church accepted those in mixed faith marriages and polygamy; but these were not offices that had to be filled. They were not God ordained positions. Those in these positions were not called “ministers of God” for a God ordained work.
12. You seem to say that what one does as an officer of the state, he is not personally responsible for. Are you saying that when there is a conflict between two authorities, the authority you are under at the time has priority? Where will this lead? The same logic allows a clerk to say, “I am not responsible for selling liquor to this customer. I am merely acting as an employee of the owner of the store, and it is he who is accountable, not I.” How much of the church’s salting influence in the world is lost because, “I don’t personally approve of this or believe this way, but (my boss, our church, the law, etc.) says it (must/mustn’t) be done?” How much of the world’s wickedness is done by people who don’t like what they are doing, but circumstance or authority seems to require it? Is this good doctrine?
ANSWER:
When two authorities are in conflict, we made it clear that one cannot violate his conscience and disobey God. We must educate our conscience, but not violate it.
It is indeed good doctrine that a person can be a godly Christian and still be in government service. Just because he is not personally hating or avenging when administering vengeance is not what makes him righteous; but that in bothpositions he is working righteousness – it is righteous not to personally avenge or hate; but it is also righteous for “ministers of God” to punish evil doers and protect the innocent. He doesn’t have to say, “I’m doing it, but I don’t believe in it”. He should believe in it! He should get up in the morning and pray for God to help him be a good sheriff. The liquor salesman cannot do this. An employee or a servant is commanded to be willing to suffer for righteousness sake (I Peter 2:11–22).
The godly executioner will probably visit the cells of those who are to be executed and try to bring them to Christ. He will feel sad and regret the wreckage that sin brings; but just as all godly men in the OT, and just as Peter with Ananias and Sapphira; he will do his duty before God, and for God. God has given the civil authorities a charge to keep – even Jesus didn’t stop the process of government for the thief on the cross. He deserved to die; he repented and believed; but he still died. There is no divided loyalty when a government is acting in justice, according to its God ordained purpose. Duties do not conflict. Think how it would be if your son became part of a rebel gang and killed someone, and you were the judge? You would have a broken heart, but you would still have to sentence your son impartially for his crime. The same would be true if you were the sheriff, and your son became leader of a criminal gang. You would still love your son, but may have to be the one to shoot him, if it came down to a showdown — Your heart would be broken, but you would still have to do your duty. Is this how God felt when He sent the flood? The Bible says it grieved Him at His heart.
When Government becomes crooked, steps outside its boundary, and begins to punish the good and protect the evil; a believer must conscientiously object to that — not to the office of government. When a government demands an unbiblical oath, wrong allegiance, or to place an oblation on a pagan altar, the believer must object to that — not to the office of government.
The principles are eternal and unchanging. Circumstance may cause other principles to come into play, but doesn’t change the original principles.
13. How do we know what God is doing? How do we determine “just cause”? Protecting one’s homeland against foreign invaders, saving our innocent wives and children, would surely seem an easy call. That is why Jeremiah had such a hard time telling them to surrender without a fight to the pagan Babylonians who made not even a pretense of worshipping God. They thought he should be executed for treason. Christian’s have not had a good track record of discerning on which side God wants them to fight. Or is it possible that sometimes God expects his followers to shoot at each other?
ANSWER:
Jeremiah wasn’t telling the soldiers, governors and kings that in this circumstance their office and duty was unholy; but that they would lose and die unless they surrendered to the Chaldeans. They weren’t sinning by defending their citizens; but by not listening to God’s instructions for this particular circumstance, they were causing themselves more harm. An Israelite should object to fighting with the Chaldeans against his own people; and an Israelite should also object to fighting when the prophet of God warns them against it. God was telling them that if they surrendered it would be better for them; not that he considered government office as sinful.
If Christians would simply live by principle and not feeling, they wouldn’t be shooting at each other, nor making poor judgments. For a general, king, or governor to surrender or seek terms of peace rather than lose a battle is not against the principles of government.
The problem is that many don’t want to suffer and stand for what is right, so they continue to go with the flow, even though they know it is not right. The man who is obeying the principles and seeking the leading of the Spirit of God will be led into the right path.
14. Isn’t it true that when Christians hold government office they are distracted from their main objective of building Christ’s Kingdom?
ANSWER:
As far as God’s children being distracted from their main objective: I am just as distracted from that main objective when I am up re-roofing a house as the sheriff is when he punches the time clock. I think a sheriff actually can do more productive ministering at his job than I might, because he is continually dealing with people in need. The Ethiopian Eunuch still went up to Jerusalem to worship. John the baptist didn’t expect the publican or soldiers to give up their occupation. There is definitely a principle to consider in Christ calling Matthew to leave his occupation to be a preacher; but not Zaccheus. Separation of church and state is a separation of church government and state government. Not all church members are bishops or evangelists; but many are common laborers, servants, masters, magistrates, tax collectors, etc.
15. Since the faithful Christian is an enlisted soldier in a war being fought not with carnal (physical) weapons but with spiritual, doesn’t taking up physical weapons seem like entangling himself with the affairs of this life, to the displeasure of his Commander? Can a man do both without sacrificing one or the other?
ANSWER:
Only those who don’t see that “Christians can do all that God ordains for man to do”, will think you can’t combine spiritual warfare and civil service in the same individual. Using spiritual weapons to advance the church and physical weapons to keep peace and justice are not in conflict, but in cooperation. The same God ordained both for his glory. Jesus will someday wear both hats as He rules with a rod of iron, and calls forth his enemies to be slain before him (Luke 19:27). It is certainly easier for me to raise my children for God where there is freedom to do so, and not Islamic rule, or communism, etc.
Today God takes vengeance through men in God ordained government. Jesus avenged the apostles and prophets on Jerusalem through the Roman Government in AD 70 (Luke 21:20–22). Jesus never avenged himself of personal attacks, but did so in his governmental position as King of Kings (Luke 11:49-51; Rev. 6:9,10)
Just as God has ordained for men to “work or not eat”; He has ordained that some men’s work consist of Government duty. God has never ordered an office for men to fill that HIS men cannot fill better than others. God did not ordain an office to minister for him that could ONLY be filled by the ungodly — If you believe this, you have deep rooted problems in your theology about the origin of evil, the goodness of God, etc.
16. I revere George Washington as a great man of Christian faith. Where does the state find such men, if not from the church? I assume it is a result of the church’s influence beyond its members, since such cannot hold state office and be a member of the church. …Or, maybe God uses those who have misunderstood his instructions to be the magistrates, etc’.
ANSWER:
Was George Washington a great man of Christian faith? Then he is also a good church member. If he cannot be a church member, then he is not a great man of Christian faith at all. I have read Mennonite confessions that say, “We must pray that the Lord would recompense them (our rulers), here and in eternity, for all the benefits, liberties, and favors which we enjoy under their laudable administration.” Now, if they think these people, who cannot be a member of their church, will be in Heaven; they have a conflict of principle. Anyone who can go to Heaven, can also be a member of the church of Jesus Christ, and ought to be — otherwise excommunication has lost all meaning.
How do they think God is going to recompense these men in eternity? If they cannot be a member of the body of Christ, then they are headed for Hell. There may be those who go to Heaven who, though walking in all the light they have, have held to a practice that keeps them away from my particular fellowship; but that practice cannot be a God-ordained one or my church administration is wrong.
To say that God can only use those who “misunderstand” his instructions to fulfill a God ordained office is not good doctrine in my opinion. Many times God uses people who have misunderstood his instructions, but that it must be so is a false principle.
17. David Bercot’s book, The Kingdom That Turned The World Upside Down, teaches passivism; and reveals some of the warped ideology common among passivists. He never speaks of “God honoring civil magistracy keeping the peace, protecting the innocent, and punishing evil doers” but only speaks of “WAR, AGGRESSION, etc.” when dealing with government action and avoiding participation in Government. This is so typical of passivists and their bias. His attitude toward government actions is far different than Paul’s. Let me illustrate with two questions that he poses and answers:
QUESTION #1. “But doesn’t Jesus’ words (resist not evil) apply merely to private retribution – not to state sponsored actions?”
His answer: “Some Christians maintain that if we pay back evil for evil as individuals, it’s wrong. However, if we do it under state authority, it doesn’t violate Jesus’ teaching.”
From here, Bercot argues that if something is wrong for an individual, then it is wrong for the state. He points out that Jesus’ teaching about not rendering an “eye for an eye” was for the state also.
This is so shortsighted. This would only apply to two states or governments in dealing with one another; but what about punishing evil doers? Is punishing evil doers “returning evil for evil?” Is spanking a rebellious child returning evil for evil? Of Course not! I am not allowed to catch the robber who robbed me and execute him – that would be vengeance and taking the law into my own hands; But, for the state to catch and execute that same robber is God ordained justice and righteous government action. It is a matter of jurisdiction and duty. Paul tells us the government officers who did this are ministers of God for the very purpose of executing God’s wrath against the evil ones. We are even told to pay them to do it with our taxes! Jesus’ words about not seeking an “eye for eye” vengeance against someone does not mean it is wrong for the government to catch and execute criminals or defend its’ borders against invading criminals. God’s Law commanded governments to deal out justice – eye for eye, but it didn’t give this power to individual civilians.
Bercot compares a Christian who serves in a Government office and helps bring justice and order in the community by arresting criminals, acting as a judge, etc. — He compares these people’s actions in government service to that of a Christian being commanded by an evil government to offer sacrifice to an idol, abort a baby, etc. Now, he doesn’t do this directly, but indirectly as he tries to keep his readers focused on WAR; but in his logic he is including the police officer who risks his life to bring peace and order to the community. This is deception and folly.
QUESTION #2 “But can’t we wear two hats? When I’m in an army uniform and am part of the U.S. Army, it isn’t me, the individual, doing the killing. It’s the United States government. And the United States government has been entrusted with the sword by God, according to Romans 13.”
Notice that “the killing” is not seen here as “ministers of God” doing their duty; but is seen as murder and sin.
Bercot’s answer: “Actually, a real-life situation similar to my illustration recently happened. A few years ago, the United States conducted a war against the Taliban regime of Afghanistan. In the course of the war, the U. S. Army captured an American citizen named John Walker Lindh, who had joined the Taliban fighters. Now, let’s suppose that Mr. Lindh had made the following defense at his trial: ‘I, John Walker Lindh, as an individual American citizen, would never do anything to harm another American. Yes, it’s true that I joined the Taliban army. But at the time I joined, they were not at war with the United States. Whatever actions I took after that were not mine – they were the Taliban government’s actions. I did not fight against the United States as an individual. I only fought as a unit of the Taliban government. Therefore, I am innocent.’ Do you think an American jury would have accepted that? I think not”
OK, David Bercot, let’s analyze your illustration which tries to show that there is no difference between me killing as a part of government, or me killing in my own name and authority. You are trying to say that if a man is using the sword according to Romans 13 in a government position that really he is like John Lindh. John was an American citizen who was really fighting with our enemies against America — So you are saying that if a Christian is an officer of the U.S. Government (soldier, police, Sheriff, etc.) he is actually an enemy fighting against Christ’s Kingdom. Did you forget what Romans 13 says? Jesus Christ commands us to PAY the “ministers of God” to use the sword! Would the U.S. command its citizens to financially support the Taliban Army and call the Taliban “ministers of the U.S. Government?” Your logic is warped, and this illustration proves you are on the wrong page. What God has ordained for government to do is righteous before God, and those who participate are righteous before God. If the government is corrupt and commands its soldiers to kill its own civilians without due process of law, etc., the soldiers are accountable to God to object to any command that is not within the realm of righteous government action ordained by God. “killing” is not the problem, but the lawfulness of that killing.
We aren’t going to always run to WAR and aggression between two governments; but, like Paul, we are going to look at the normal activities of God ordained government in the use of the sword — punishing evil and protecting the innocent. We all agree that aggression due to pride, greed, hate, etc. is wrong for government as well as individuals; but he is not just attacking that. He is indirectly and cautiously attacking the police, sheriff, judge, jailor, etc. Governments ARE supposed to seek peace with other governments (almost like individuals are); but governments ARE NOT supposed to seek peace with criminals or they are disobeying God!
Bercot is indirectly saying that the Sheriff, when he kills a criminal in the line of duty is like John Lindh fighting against the U.S. He is saying that Jesus sees that Sheriff as fighting against His Heavenly Kingdom; and will see him just like any other murderer who kills for hate, greed, etc. This is foolish and shortsighted at best. Would the United States government hold John Lindh innocent if he hadn’t fought, but paid and supported the Taliban Army with his money? No, they would consider him just as much of an enemy of their government. But Jesus commands his people to pay and support the sheriff to shoot the criminal!
What difference does it really make whether you are the sheriff who catches the criminal, the judge who sentences him, the jailor who holds him until his execution, the man who flips the switch, or the taxpayer who pays them to do it!? God doesn’t see you or them as fighting against His Kingdom. They are actually called ministers of God! Would the U.S. call John Lindh a “minister of the United States President”? Paul baptized the Philippian jailor at midnight, but he was still the Philippian jailor the next day! We are not responsible for all the wrong uses of our taxes, but in this case the Scriptures tell us that we are to pay taxes for this very purpose — the state using the sword! What else they do with the money is between them and God, but we are commanded to pay for them to use the sword.
David Bercot, in this same book on page 187 makes this amazing statement, “That’s one reason why the Christians of the first three centuries required high government officials to step down from office if they wanted to become Christians.” This is amazing in light of Cornelius, Sergius Paulus, the Ethiopian Eunuch, Erastus, and all the others we have mentioned. Bercot himself tells this story (quoting Eusebius) on page 179 of a Roman emperor in the second century (Philip the Arabian) that became a Christian, “After six years as Roman emperor, Gordon died, and Philip succeeded him. Word has it that he was a Christian and wanted to join with believers in the prayers of the church on the day of the last Paschal vigil. But the bishop of the time would not let him enter until he confessed publicly and joined those who were judged sinful and were occupying the place [in the church] for penitents. Otherwise, had he not done so, he would never have been received, due to the many charges against him. It is said that he readily obeyed, showing by his actions how genuinely and piously disposed he was toward the fear of God.”
Bercot here contradicts his own statement. Philip the Arabian did not step down from his office, but simply had to enter the church like every other sinner — through the gate or repentance. This was in the second century. The story Bercot tells proves the opposite of what he was trying to prove.
Again on page 125 Bercot makes another amazing statement, “There is no evidence in either Christian or secular Roman writings that any Christians served in the Roman armies prior to A.D.170.” Hmmm, shall we consider the Bible “Christian writings”? What then about Cornelius, the soldiers that John spoke with, and the Centurion that Jesus said would be in heaven? What about the public officials who were Christians? Also, do you realize that A.D. 170 is only about 71 years after John the apostle died? That is pretty early.
All the non-resistance articles I have read from passivists include this same shortsighted logic and anti-government attitude. Instead of forming your idea’s from the “early church fathers”, you need to meditate on the Scripture until you gain the Scriptural view of God’s Kingdom. Don’t believe everything you read in some man’s book — Get to know God’s Book!
CONCLUSION
Dear friends, be humble and willing to follow the whole counsel of God! Don’t abuse what we have said and be war-mongers; macho men; sports- competition-violence fans, hateful, proud, vengeful, etc. Nor should you abuse what we have said to be anti-government, passivist, pacifist, effeminate, etc. We uphold all the righteous virtues and characteristics of self-denying love, mercy, patience, meekness, kindness, compassion, and non-vengeance.
We also uphold the righteous exercise of God ordained government. God put the sword at their side, not to chastise only, but to execute. Capital punishment is God’s order at the mouth of two or three witnesses for those who have committed crimes worthy of death. May you stand against the tide of evil and proclaim truth without partiality!
SHOULD WE VOTE?
This question naturally follows the subjects we have been discussing. More than any of the other subjects, this subject is a matter of personal conviction and conscience. Because of this I will share my personal opinion.
I believe that when a government cares enough to get the consensus of society, then society has an obligation to respond. The ungodly will always be quick to push for their way; and if the godly doesn’t stem the tied; they can’t complain much about the situation. This primarily has to do with voting on ISSUES, not CANDIDATES. Issues are right or wrong, candidates may be deceitful or uncertain. Issues are usually black and white. Candidates may be right on one issue, but dreadfully wrong on others. The best you can usually hope for in voting for candidates is to find the “lesser of two evils” — and that can be debatable. By voting for a candidate you share some responsibility for what he does — not only the good, but also the bad. By not voting you also share responsibility for who gets in and what they do – If you don’t vote for the lesser of two evils, then the greater evil might prevail.
So, in order to be the salt of the earth in our local setting, I say YES, we should vote on ISSUES. Voting for candidates is very uncertain, and I will leave that to the individual’s conscience before God.
BUT SHOULD I BE A REGISTERED VOTER AT ALL? This complicates the matter, and will depend on the individual circumstances, the strings attached, etc. If there is a reason why you cannot conscientiously be a registered voter, then obviously you can’t vote.
The Bible speaks very clearly on one certain way you can influence your government.
“I exhort therefore, that? first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,” I Tim. 2:1-4
The hour you spend driving to the place to vote, standing in line, voting, and driving home – if spent in prayer for God’s hand to lead could be more productive than your vote. You vote every day of your life, by the way you live, what kind of society you want. Every time you buck the church standard and want a more worldly lifestyle, you vote for the destruction of the morals of society at large. Every time you pursue carnal appetites, you vote for a. carnal society. Every time you are selfish, you vote for a selfish society. Every time you don’t witness for Jesus, you vote for a godless society. Every time you don’t rebuke evil, you vote for an evil society. Every time you dress fashionable, wear makeup, jewelry, dress immodest, watch TV, etc.; you vote for a licentious society. DON’T THINK A GOOD PRESIDENT CAN CHANGE ALL THIS! The Christian Church is the salt of the earth that will change society, not the government! If there is a part of being salt that requires you to vote, and you have a conscience from God that demands you vote, then vote – but make sure you put more weight on your testimony and prayer life, than on your voting.
GOVERNMENT AID?
SINFUL OR NOT?
Many people consider it sinful and wicked to accept any form of government aid. Is it sinful? Where does the Bible say this? If it is sinful, then it is also wrong for the government to offer it. If it is sinful, then we must not allow church members to do it. If it is sinful, then we need to preach against it like we do against other sins.
Others will maintain that the reason it is wrong is because the church is supposed to take care of its own. This means that it is only wrong for Christians. What if a believer stands for truth and is put out of the “church” for this. What if he and some others leave the established or state church and meet on their own in order to be faithful to truth. What if they do not have the means financially to help their brethren in a crisis? Then is it sinful to accept charity from another source? What about a government source?
Because many are anti-government in their thinking, they think it is evil for needy people to accept any type of charity from a government program. There are many things to be considered on a subject like this one: Is the government setting a. trap or helping its people? Is the recipient truly needy or just a hobo who abuses the system? How will this affect later generations? Do the Scriptures forbid the poor and needy from receiving help? What strings are attached to the receiving of government aid?
HAS GOD ORDAINED GOVERNMENT AID?
Ex. 23:10,11 “And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy olive yard.”
Lev. 19:9-10, “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.~
Deut. 24:19-22, “When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and has forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.”
In Daniel 4 we have Daniel interpreting a dream for Nebuchadnezzar. The purpose of the dream was to show all living that God is ultimately in charge of “who was king” (see vss. 17,32,&37). Daniel’s advice to the king was this: “Wherefore, 0 king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” (vs. 27).
Daniel basically told him that God sets up who he wishes, and God cares for the poor–so if you want God to keep you in power, help the poor with the power you have in government. Now, if Nebuchadnezzar did this, would it be wrong for the poor to receive it?
I think we can see that God set up a “welfare” system in the Old Testament whereby the poor could “eat the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table” like Lazarus. It was a part of the Law, and therefore was a government program. It seems rather obvious that it was right for the rich to obey this law, and also it was not evil for the poor to gratefully partake. Being a “sluggard” or “leech” (see Proverbs) was evil. To abuse a good system when you are not in a legitimate state of need, is sinful; but to be poor, or to accept charity is not sinful – even if it is from a government program. This is the Old Testament teaching on the subject; but what about the New?
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
Matt. 12:1, “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. “ (Mk 2:23; Luke 6:1)
Here we find Jesus in a state of poverty with hungry disciples making use of the “welfare” program that was set up by God in the Law. See Deut. 23:24,25:
“When thou comest into thy neighbor’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel. When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbor, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbor’s standing corn.”
WHAT IS THE CONCLUSION?
We are not ready to make any conclusions yet. First let us look at some warnings:
1. Prov. 23:1-8, “When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee, The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words,”
The warning: Don’t be dazzled with the hospitality of a ruler who has an evil eye (double motive). He may be trying to lead you on for his own evil purposes. Be careful not to be lured into “signing on the dotted line” without knowing what is really going on. Beware of government “deals”. In the same note: beware of “get rich quick” schemes in the same way.
2. II Thess. 3:10-12, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”
The warning: Don’t fall into the trap of thinking the brethren, church, government, society, etc. owes you anything! If you are needy, it doesn’t mean somebody owes you lunch! If you partake of charity, because you are in an emergency situation and cannot pay your own way, be humble and grateful; but don’t let up on your own striving to pay your own way. Don’t let up on prayer, thriftiness, careful planning, sweat, and tears – just because you know there is something to fall back on in an emergency.
So many people take unnecessary risks because they have insurance, church help, or government programs to fall back on. This is what is sinful.
THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER
1. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that in order to lengthen his tranquillity as a ruler he should leave off his sins, and help the poor. Was it right for the poor to accept this help? Of course it was.
2. Consider all, the times in history when kings and rulers have opened their coasts and allowed persecuted Christians to settle in their realm. This was government aid. Every land grant given, to Christian settlers was government aid.
3. Many people strongly criticize someone in America if they accept government help in a time of emergency; but these same people have relatives and sister churches in Canada who partake of socialized medicine and don’t criticize them. What is wicked in one country is accepted in another. This is not consistent.
4. In America we have a strange system. We have hospitals and doctors whose prices are not set for consumer incomes, but for the insurance companies. If Hospitals and doctors had to set their rates according to what consumers could afford, we would all, gladly pay; but that is not the case. The insurance companies in America have caused all the medical pricing to rise much higher than the average person can pay on his own.
Now, what if you can’t pay, and you don’t have medical insurance (because you can’t afford it either)? Can you just keep your sick child home and pray? If he dies can you just suffer the Loss and go on? No! The government demands you get medical attention for a sick child. If you don’t, they will prosecute you for negligence and take away your other children.
What if you tell them you can’t afford the outrageous prices, and you can’t afford insurance? They will tell you that they have a program to help people in your condition. So, you can either use their program or be prosecuted and lose all your children. Get the picture! The government is not evil for helping people who need help. This is exactly what a good government should do! It is only right for them to help pay for something that they demand you do, which you cannot afford. It is right that they protect children against abuse (though they often do it wrong), and it is right that they put their money where their mouth is.
Is it right for a Christian nation to help the poor in other countries? Is it right for other countries to accept this help? I believe so; and I also believe it is right for that same government to help its own people who are needy. Just because some abuse the system, it doesn’t mean every person who uses it is evil.
If the government demands that I use their expensive system with all its expensive regulations, then it is only fair and right that they are willing to help pay for it. What would you do if you were the king, and wanted to help the poor in your land?
Don’t think I am one who quickly accepts help. I have broken my hand and my wrist at different times and didn’t even have them looked at by a doctor, because I didn’t have the money to pay for it, and didn’t want to get help from a program. However, as willing as I am to suffer and pray through a trial with my own health; I am not going to watch my child die, just because I am too proud to accept help when it is available. At the present time I do not have to deny Jesus Christ or my faith in him, just because I accept help from the rich. If the time comes that I do have to deny Christ for help, then I will just watch my child die in God’s will.
In the story of the rich man and Lazarus: Lazarus was sick and couldn’t provide for himself, so he ate the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table – was this denying Christ? Jesus obviously didn’t think so. Jesus didn’t say Lazarus should have just trusted God to provide any more than himself and his disciples when they ate out of the fields. If God set up the system, then that is how God provides!
In our government, we are not told to leave the corners of our fields, etc. as in the Old Testament. We are not all farmers as they were. Our government tells them to “glean their fields” and give that part to the government, and then the government does the distribution. This is similar to what Joseph set up in Egypt. God made it to where everyone lived on welfare after a while – and, Yes, the government ended up owning them and their land; but they survived. Our government collects according to income and makes distribution to the poor through special programs. This is not much different than the Old Testament plan in principle.
IF THE CHURCH CAN TAKE CARE OF ITS OWN, THEN DO IT. BUT DON’T BE TOO PROUD TO ACCEPT HELP IN A CRISIS.
5. Possible problems in a church setting: Even in a church, setting where people believe in the church taking care of the needs, and they have the means to accomplish this, there may be some ‘problems.
The church must monitor and regulate the incomes and spending of its members in order to have a fair and productive program. Why? Because one brother may live very thrifty and save money back for a time of need. Another brother may invest all his profit back into assets. Another brother may just be a little lazy and loose with his spending. Another may get in debt over his head and need bailed out to protect the testimony of the church. When a crisis comes up, who has the cash to pay for it? The most righteous one of the bunch, who has lived carefully, sacrificed, and saved, is the only one with CASH. The one who is trying to get rich, has all his money tied up in assets, which. may not be easy to liquidate. The lazy one has no money.
This can work nicely if you have enough people, enough cooperation and strong leadership to maintain fairness among brethren. This was a challenge even for the apostles in Jerusalem.
The question we are asking is: Is it sinful to accept government help if you haven’t this type of help, and you can’t pay for it yourself? No, it is not sinful or shameful.
Yes, the brethren should all try to save and pay their own way. Yes, the brethren should all try to help each other; but this may not always work. There may not always be the means or enough brethren. To compromise on truth just so you can stay in a group to maintain “church insurance” is much more shameful than having to accept government help in a crisis BECAUSE YOU STOOD FOR TRUTH AND STOOD ALONE. This is exactly what happened to Jesus and his disciples! This also happened to many Anabaptist brethren and other persecuted Christians.
CONCLUSION
DON’T BE SO QUICK TO JUDGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE BIBLICAL GROUNDS FOR IT. Live your convictions, and don’t violate your conscience; but don’t shame someone who has not done something shameful.
IT IS NOT SINFUL to accept help from government programs, BUT IT MAY BE DANGEROUS.
It is dangerous in the same way to accept help from a church, if it causes you to compromise on truth for that church. It is dangerous in the same way to receive a paycheck, if it causes you to compromise truth to keep getting that paycheck.
My Old Views, left for historical sake. Forgive me for those I have taught wrongly on this issue. I repent.
Primary goals of this teaching are:
• To realize as the body of Christ, God is our defense
• To prepare ourselves spiritually and physically for coming persecution
• To examine our walks in light of Jesus’ commands
• To obey Jesus’ commands to resist defending oneself, family, or neighbors against evil men in an ungodly way
Passive Non-Resistance Defined
Passive – receiving, enduring, or submitting without resistance:
Non-Resistance –negate the act or power of resisting, opposing, or withstanding.
Some background concerning my life and views for the reader’s understanding. I have a family that is steeped in past proud military traditions. On my father’s side of the family; my father was a Marine for four years earning Staff Sgt before getting out after the Bay of Pigs fiasco. My grandfather was a waist gunner in a B-24 stationed with the 8th Air Force in England during WWII. He was shot down by Anti aircraft fire on Jan 7th, 1944. Most of the crew bailed out except the tail and ball turret gunners, and my grandfather. The SS gestapo shot and killed them as they exited the downed aircraft. They were not known for taking POW’s who were injured in the fighting. My great grandfather was an infantry man in WWI in the south of France in 1917. He survived the war. My great great grandfather was a Colonel in the CSA part of the Tennessee Volunteers killed at Rocky Top, TN. My matriarchal side of my family I only know of a great uncle who has retired from the U.S. Coast Guard service as an Admiral. I served 21 years in the U.S. Navy as a Boatswains Mate, Quartermaster, and Signalman retiring in 2001 as a Chief Quartermaster. I served on five different warships, have four rows of medals, campaign ribbons, unit awards. I spent upwards of 15 years stationed aboard ship, 12 of that actually either deployed overseas or underway training to go overseas. So, needless to say, I was a patriot to the core. Sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States from enemies both foreign and domestic. When the Lord convicted me of these issues over the course of some months I did not take these matters lightly! Here is a book, along with the Bible, which really helped to solidify my views in seeking the truth on these issues. A Change of Allegiance by Dean Taylor
Scriptural support for Passive Non Resistance
Matt 5:38-48 You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectorsj do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
[Resist GR 436 anthistēmi än-thē’-stā-mē 1. to set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, oppose]
Matt 10:16-39 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub,[d] how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
Luke 6:27-36 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Rom 12:14-21 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord. 20 Therefore “ If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
John 18:35-37 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.
A Few Distinctions
We need to make a few distinctions here: 1. persecutions by the world 2. persecutions by the professing ‘church’. Both of these types of persecutions come from the world which is under the authority of Satan’s system of lies and deception. But, the latter is very deadly because it is very subtle and causes divisions in the real body of Christ.
Some Historical Background of the Persecutions of the Body of Jesus Christ.
Constantine brought a new era in the church era; marrying the church with the state. This hybrid gospel fostered corruption in the church at every level. Christians who for the first three hundred years of the church were brutalized by the world were now accepted. Persecution subsided for the time. This hybrid corrupt church began to make up it’s own traditions and theologies. Under Constantine’s close scrutiny the organized visible church began to conduct councils which were necessary to uphold this mutant gospel and suppress the gospel of love in Jesus. The visible state church began to persecute those who would not agree with their authority, interpretation, or translation of the Bible.
But here is what Jesus taught:
Matt 26:51-53 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched outhis hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
Early Church Believers thoughts on PNR
THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS TO THE SMYRAEANS. ECF Vol 1 Ch 4 para 2
But I guard you beforehand from these beasts in the shape of men, from those beasts in the shape of men, whom you must not only not receive, but, if it be possible, not even meet with; only you must pray to God for them, if by any means they may be brought to repentance, which, however, will be very difficult. Yet Jesus Christ, who is our true life, has the power of[effecting] this. But if these things were done by our Lord only in appearance, then am I also only in appearance bound. And why have I also surrendered myself to death, to fire, to the sword, to the wild beasts? But,[in fact,] he who is near to the sword is near to God; he that is among the wild beasts is in company with God; provided only he be so m the name of Jesus Christ. I undergo all these things that I may suffer together with Him,
The Donatists movement which lasted about 400 years refused to bow down to this new mutant gospel of Constantine. However, they appealed the injustices of the North African Catholics to Constantine to resolve issues between the RCC and the local Donatist bishops. They were suppressed and maligned for a hundred years and then in 411 they finally had a time for disputing the matters in Carthage.
A disputation was then arranged in Carthage (411), Collatio cum Donatistis. Two hundred and eighty six Catholic and two hundred and seventy-nine Donatist bishops were present: Augustine and Aurelius were the speakers of the former; Primianus and Patilianus, those of the latter. For three days the debate lasted, but no result was arrived at. Finally the imperial commissioner declared the Donatists vanquished, and very severe measures were decided upon against them. In 414 they lost all civil rights; in 415 they were forbidden to assemble for worshipping, under penalty of death. Nevertheless, they had not become extinct, when, in the seventh century, the Saracens(Islam) occupied the country, and destroyed the African Church and the RCC of that area.
SOURCE: Early Church Website
Augustine’s false teachings have lead millions astray from the gospel of peace, into a gospel of the sword. These empowered councils united with the earthly kings, queens, governments, bishops, and popes would be responsible for the massive horrors of what would become the crusades and inquisitions.
Many Muslims point to the Crusades as an illustration of violent church action. It is true that many unethical acts were done during the military campaigns of the Crusades. It was a time in history that scholars have labeled the “Dark Ages.” Muslim forces had been attacking Christian countries for centuries. Their conquests included the “Holy Land” of Israel. The motivation for the Crusades found its root in reports that Muslims were desecrating Christian holy sites and persecuting Christians on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The first knights took their vows in AD 1095 when Pope Urban II organized the troops to “liberate the Holy Land from the Muhammadans.” Many of the Crusaders went beyond their mission and forgot their Christian ideals as they sought earthly revenge and treasure. Their atrocities, however, were not motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
SOURCE: A Topical Study of Islam by M. J. Fisher, M.Div.
We can see in church history this problem of professing Christians taking up arms against others when Jesus taught us to love our neighbor and pray for our enemies. Sometimes the ones being persecuted were Christians who are trying to be obedient to Christ not a particular religious system or government.
Probably the most famous protagonist of the just war theory is John Calvin, who used force to kill, torture and imprison his neighbors in the name of God. From the Calvin Seminary website we find:An aspect of Calvin’s teaching on the state relates to his position on war. This study shows that Calvin positioned himself in continuity with the medieval just war tradition established by Augustine of Hippo. He did not believe in either element of what constituted a holy war—authorization by the church or the prosecution of war without restraint. He stood within the mainstream tradition when it came to both the jus ad bellum and the jus in bello. He always insisted that the private individual may only offer passive resistance to a ruler’s ungodly commands. A parliamentary body alone is authorized by God to resist a tyrannical prince.
SOURCE: Calvin College Website Mark Lawson articleThis is exactly why the ‘Christians’ during the Civil War in our own country wore both blue and gray! Brother against brother, son against father, uncle against nephew, and cousin against cousin were not uncommon situations across the Mason Dixon line. If someone is ready to kill one of our children what would we be our response? Of course no one wants a loved one killed at the hands of an evil person. I would do everything in my power short of violence to protect my family. I pray I would respond with: laying down my life in love, prayer, family fleeing, command in Jesus’ name, pleading, exhortation to come to Christ, informing them that they could do nothing lest God allowed them, and defend them with my body from the attackers. So, please dear reader do not say that those of our passive view would do nothing. That is the farthest from the truth, we would do nothing in regards to carnal weaponry, military or martial art tactics to kill those who have made themselves our enemies.Matt 10:37-39 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
I must confess this has not been my attitude at all until the early 2009 when I considered what Jesus taught on these issues. My lifelong dedication to patriotism, country, honor, etc was evaporating before my eyes. We must realize that if we kill someone, then we have sent them into eternity, no matter how horrible the earthly deed/s they are committing. The Bible states that God holds the keys to life and death, not us.
Rom 13:1-7 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
In Rom 13:2 the word resist is GR. Antitassō which has two meanings:
1) to arrange in battle against
2) to oppose one’s self, resist
Most American Christians will use this verse to justify warmongering, and obedience to unlawful commands by the government. Resisting in this case is to plan to overthrow or to change by force. It does not mean resisting unlawful orders from that same government. Notice the passage asks, “Do you want to be unafraid….Do what is good. Would Hitler tell you to do what is good? Do what is right for God’s kingdom and then you will have nothing to fear from him. The authorities may kill you or put you in jail in the process of obeying God and disobeying them. But, Romans 13 is NOT saying to do that which is evil because you must obey them.
Justifying Ourselves to Defend Ourselves
In the following passage many in our day and past will point to this Scripture passage to support their argument in support of defending oneself. But are there any alternative reasons why Jesus would command them to bring two swords?
Luke 22:35-36 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” 36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” 38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”
Most people will not consider the day in which this passage was written. In order to butcher an animal or defend themselves from wild animals they would need a few swords. Not to mention cutting wood, wheat, or other basic needs that we don’t even consider if they did not have axes, hatchets, or knives. But, to properly defend themselves or to properly institute the just war theory they would need at least 13 swords, 13 spears, 13 shields, 13 horses, and much, much more against the Roman Legions! Jesus would need those things to defend Himself right? So, in light of all the other teachings of Jesus which teach contradictory to the ‘Just War’ view, to use this passage to defend our right to defend our selves or families is fallacious nonsense.
There are many prophecies of Jesus’ laying down of His life for others to be saved verses laying down His life to take the lives of others. In this account:
Isaiah 53:12 And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.
Aren’t we called to lay down our lives as well?
The following passage is often used to justify self defense.
Psa 82:3-4Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked.
vs. 3 the word defend is shaphat H8199; 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) a) to rule, govern, judge 2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 3) to execute judgment a) discriminating (of man) b) vindicating c) condemning and punishing d) at theophanic advent for final judgment b) (Niphal) 1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 2) to be judged (c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle) 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid [them] out of the hand of the wicked.
vs. 4 the word deliver is (Palat H6403); to escape, save, deliver, slip away a) (Qal) to escape b) (Piel) 1) to bring into security, deliver 2) to cause to escape, cast forth ) to be delivered 4) to slip away c) (Hiphil) to bring into security, bring to safety
Bringing the orphans, widows, or destitute out of a difficult, life threatening circumstances is honorable and necessary. But, for the Christians we must do so in a way which honors the commands of Jesus over the thinking of men. I would add here that governments are given a responsibility to defend it’s citizens from the evil doer. Rom 13:1-4 The question becomes how involved should we as Christians be in that system, if at all?
Why is PNR so important to a Christian?
These commands of of God are of great importance to a follower of Christ. Here are few of the reasons for their importance:
1. to be obedient to God in all areas, loving Him with all of our heart,mind,strength, and soul.
2. to hold on to nothing personal or material
3. to gird ourselves in the time of testing/temptations that we will not fall away by denying our Lord Jesus.
4. It does not happen here in America yet, but there will come a day when families are decimated for the Name above every Name.
5. Not to be drawn into a profession that does not honor God and His Word, ie. Military, police, or security
6. Avoid the guilt of murder upon our consciences and others.
7. To be a good example to the disciples of Christ especially our wives and children.
8. That our enemies would be blessed with our actions toward them instead of sent to an early hell.
How do We Practice This Doctrine?
We would seek the Holy Spirit to do the following:
1. Resist the temptation to kill
2. Resist not an evil man
3. We pray
4. We speak boldly the gospel
5. We stand
6. We flee
7. We take up God’s armor Eph 6:13-20
Eph 6:13-20 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
More Thoughts on Family, Friends, and Enemies
Jesus died for all of our family, friends, and enemies that is why He instructs us not to resist their evil intents. If our earthly governments punish manslaughter,(accidental or defensive killing) why do we justify these acts before our Lord as if He didn’t give us a law? Jesus Christ when talking to the rich young ruler,
Matt 19:16-19 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Many times Christians will try and justify killing by saying it is not murder. But, here is a comparison of the two words in Hebrew and Greek.
GR 5406 phoneuō ;1) to kill, slay, murder 2) to commit murder
Exodus 20:13 “Thou shall not kill.” H7523 ratsach means; 1) to murder, slay, kill 1a) (Qal) to murder, slay 1) premeditated 2) accidental 3) as avenger 4) slayer (intentional) (participle) b) (Niphal) to be slain
This primary Hebrew definition covers all the bases on this issue; ‘Thou shalt not, murder, slay, or kill’.
I would like to ask the dear reader here a few rhetorical question. Suppose you were enlisted in the military as a believer, trained to kill and destroy the ‘enemies’ of the United States. You were trained, then deployed to the middle east, where another believer had enlisted or was conscripted into the Iragi army. Now, you are facing your ‘enemy’ on the battlefield with your scope clicked down on the side of his head of another human being. This head belongs to that believer I just mentioned but you don’t know that. Guess what? The Iraqi believer that is being now shot at by his enemy doesn’t know that the one shooting at him is a believer either. Now you are both in the position of killing a spiritual brother but both of you are ignorant. How could the hand of the body of Christ, chop off the finger of Christ?
Matt 5:21-22 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
The Greek for the word angry is the GR orgizo G3710 and means: 1) to provoke, to arouse to anger 2) to be provoked to anger, be angry, be wroth
This is very convicting for me personally because I know that in the open air and message boards I have provoked people to anger, even the brethren. I also temper that with knowing that preaching brings anger and hatred which I am not responsible for that as long as I am conducting myself blamelessly before the Lord and and the world.
Rev. 13:9-10 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
I was meditating on this and thought of my family whom I would die for sacrificially and the Lord put this on my mind. I died for my enemies, will you? Of course one of the most difficult parts of this doctrine is my family. But, the Lord teaches that a man and wife become one when they consummate their marriage. So, if someone attacks my wife they are attacking me. What should my/our response be? Resist not an evil man. What about the scenario of an attack on our children? Same response because our children are of us, just like Jesus is of His Father in heaven. This relationship between parents and children is a shadow of the triune relationship. Or course if we are of Jesus, part of His body, and the Head commands that we leave all these issues up to Him and not to defend ourselves; what should we do? What is the conclusion of the matter?
In the passage below, James and John had a spirit of vengeance about them and got rebuked by the Creator of the Universe for their ungodly zeal.
Luke 9:52-56 … and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
In speaking of the judgment to come for the greedy oppressors of the world the Apostle James writes in reproof.
James 5:6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Great video debate on this issue:
Here is an excellent testimony of a brother in the Lord doing spiritual battle and being delivered from a murderous madman with a machete.
Here is a great video of a believer exercising her faith in the power of the Name of Christ in spiritually defending herself and a customer in her store.
Here is a great video of a 92 year old sister in Christ who defended herself with God’s Word which is the spiritual sword and her faith which was her shield from a mugger who jumped in her car at a Walmart:
2 Cor 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Friend to you have a carnal view on this important issue?
Rom 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded islife and peace.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Here is an interesting letter from Br. Britt Williams concerning this matter to a famous open air preacher:
Here is a fellowship with Anabaptist/Mennonite roots which takes a different take on this issue which I am currently studying and considering:
Mennonite Teaching on Vengeance
Here is a great video of Pastor Troy Bohn and his Raven Group being continually assaulted on the street and how Troy responded.
Thank you brother John, for humbling yourself and taking the time and effort to teach true non-vengeance. We had been struggling over this subject for some time and recently came to the same conclusion that you did after prayer and study. God bless you!
Amen sister! Praise Jesus I am still studying this, but Mark Bullen’s work is thorough and answers a lot of issues I was struggling with in my previous view. May God bless you all!
I’m sad to see that you changed your view. I just can’t see a Christian putting a bullet in someone’s head and saying that they love that person.
Br. Brett, did you read this article? You are making a category error to say I have changed my view to, “I just can’t see a Christian putting a bullet in someone’s head and saying that they love that person.” I have no desire to put a ‘bullet in someone’s head…’. To not protect your family from harm would be to not love and care for them. The law of love, which would include your family,neighbor, etc. would not stand by while someone rapes, tortures, and kills your; wife, mother, sister, son, or brother. You must do something! The question becomes what should we do? As the governor over my family and home I believe I should protect them with; prayer, teaching of God’s Word, being an ensample, etc. But, I also ;would lay down my life for them, pray and plead for the offender, taze an intruder, take a neutralizing shot toward someone who was exerting deadly force against them, etc. It is not my heart to kill anyone. I pray for my enemies constantly, and I get beaten, spit upon, cursed, threatened with death, regularly while preaching the Gospel. I haven’t killed anyone, do you do these things?