Bruce Lyon Supporter Elder: Restoration Fellowship Assembly

When The Rulers and Authorities of This World Engage In Criminal Activities, Should We Continue to Obey and Submit to Them?

We are to submit the the authorities to the degree that we are not asked or forced to do anything that is against the will of our God and our Father. What the leaders does not have a bearing on what we are to do. As Jesus said render unto Ceasar the things that are Caesar's and to the God the things that are God's. 

When Paul wrote about being subject to the civil authorities Nero was Caesar and there was probably on one morally as corrupt as he.

Romans 13:1 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.

In doing what Paul says here we pay our taxes and obey the laws of the land as long as they do not come in conflict with the will of God for us.

September 11 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

When the 'Rulers and Authorities' of this world engage in criminal activities, should we continue to obey and submit to them?

Romans 13:1-5 helps us with this answer:

The Bible teaches that Christians should generally respect and submit to governmental authorities, but that submission has limits. A believer's highest loyalty belongs to God. When human rulers act unjustly, corruptly, or even criminally, Christians must carefully distinguish between respecting an office of authority and participating in wrongdoing.

Romans 13:1 says: "Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities." Likewise, Titus 3:1 encourages Christians "to be obedient, to be ready for every good work." These instructions promote order, peace, and respect for lawful authority. Even in the first century, many rulers were far from righteous, yet Christians were encouraged to be law-abiding citizens.

However, Scripture also shows that obedience to God takes precedence over obedience to human governments. When the Jewish authorities ordered the apostles to stop preaching, Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men" (Acts 5:29). That statement established an important principle. Human authority is real, but it is not absolute.

The Bible includes several examples of faithful servants who refused to obey commands that violated God's will. The Hebrew midwives in Egypt disobeyed Pharaoh's order to kill Israelite children (Exodus 1:15-17).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar's image, even under threat of death (Daniel 3:16-18). Daniel continued praying to Jehovah despite a royal decree forbidding it (Daniel 6:10). In each case, God's servants remained respectful while declining to participate in wrongdoing.

Jesus himself provided a balanced approach. He said: "Pay back Caesar's things to Caesar, but God's things to God" (Matthew 22:21). This principle recognises legitimate governmental authority while affirming that certain things belong exclusively to God. When these spheres conflict, God's commands take priority.

Therefore, if rulers engage in corruption, injustice, or criminal behaviour, Christians are not required to imitate them, support their wrongdoing, or violate their conscience. A government official's misconduct does not automatically cancel every law or remove every obligation toward civil authority. Christians can still pay taxes, obey traffic laws, respect public order, and fulfil civic responsibilities while refusing any action that conflicts with God's standards.

First Peter 2:13-17 urges believers to show honour and respect, yet the same apostle later declared that obedience to God came first. Respect does not require agreement with evil, nor does submission require participation in sin.

The Bible also reminds Christians that all human governments are temporary. Psalm 146:3-4 warns against placing ultimate trust in human rulers, while Daniel 2:44 points to God's Kingdom as the only government that will bring lasting righteousness and justice.

So should Christians continue to obey and submit when rulers engage in criminal activities? Scripture teaches that Christians should remain respectful, peaceful, and obedient to lawful authority wherever possible. Yet when human commands conflict with God's will, the principle remains clear: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Faithful submission to authority ends where disobedience to God begins.

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

Good question, Helena! (When the 'Rulers and Authorities' of this world engage in criminal activities, should we continue to obey and submit to them? Romans 13:1-5)

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man" is a well-known biblical proverb found in Psalm 118:8 of the King James Version and many other translations. Man is fallible and when in power, it can corrupt him/her. Follow the leader only when it does not conflict with a direct command of God or His principles. That's my view.

Also, pray that proper channels would be followed to arrest their criminal activities. (if possible)

7 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report