Submission to Secular Authorities/Couple Examples No Submission

1 Peter 2:13-17 - Peter

Peter, in this instance, is writing to Christian exiles. Peter says to be subject for the Lord's sake to every system of established authority, whether it would be to the one who has the highest political office or to governors, who are sent by Him and are supposed to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good. For this is the will of God that by doing good one should put to silence the people who have a lack of good judgment.

Then Peter says to live as people who are free, and this pertains to being free socially and politically. He wants Christians to use their freedom not as a cover-up for evil but living as God-fearing people being subject to Him.  Peter states to show high regard for the highest political leaders and everyone.  He then says to fear God, which means to have a profound and deep-seated measure of respect and reverence for Him where we are in awe of Him. 

Romans 13:1-7 - Paul

Paul discusses being subject to authorities as well. He says for all to be subject to governing authorities and that there is no authority except from God and those that exist have been put in place by God. Therefore, whoever opposes the authorities opposes what God has appointed and those who resist will incur judgment. 

Paul states that rulers should not be a terror to good conduct but to bad. He says that if Christians wouldn't desire to be afraid of authority then to do what is good and receive his approval.  Paul mentions that the authority is God's agent and representative for our benefit and for our help.  

Therefore one must be in subjection not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. Because of the rulers being a terror to good conduct and beneficial to the people, they pay taxes for the authorities who are administrative servants of God attending to this very thing.  Paul states to pay all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, and honor to whom honor is owed. 

Example No Submission 1: Apostles Arrested by Authorities, Freed, Brought in Again

Apostles Arrested

The high priest rose up along with all who were with him (the Sadduccees) and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in public prison. They were jealous because the apostles were doing signs and wonders and causing more people to believe in Jesus Christ. 

Apostles Freed

During that night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out saying they should go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.  The angel was talking about the life of the believers affected by the gospel which proceeds from God in Christ. The apostles heard this and entered the temple at daybreak and taught.

High Priest and Council Found Out About Escape

When the high priest came and those with him, they called together the council and all the senate of the people of Israel and sent to the prison to have the apostles brought.  However, when the officers came, they didn't find them in the prison, so they reported back that they found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors but when they opened them they found no one inside.  Needless to say, when the captain of the temple and chief priests heard this they were confused and wondered what this would come to.

High Priest Told Them Not to Teach in Jesus' Name

Someone came and told them that the men they put in prison were standing in the temple and teaching the people. The captain and the officers went and brought them, but not by force because they were afraid of being stoned by the people. When they brought them they set them before the council. The high priest charged them not to teach in the name of Jesus but said they have filled Jerusalem with their teaching and intended to bring this man's (Jesus') blood upon us.

Peter and Apostles' Response

Peter and the apostles said they must obey God rather than men.  They go on to explain that the God of their fathers raised Jesus of whom they killed by hanging Him on a tree (referring to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection).  The apostles then said that God exalted Him at His right hand (where He's in heaven) as Leader and Savior to give repentance to Israel for the forgiveness of sins. They stated they were witnesses of these things along with the Holy Spirit of whom God has given to those who obey Him.

Example No Submission 2: The Fiery Furnace

Chaldeans Tell of Jews Not Serving King's gods

In the Old Testament, certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused Jews. King Nebuchadnezzar made a degree that every man who heard certain music would fall down and worship the golden image. Whoever doesn't would be cast into the fiery furnace.  The Chaldeans told the king that the Jews of whom he appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego-paid no attention, did not serve the king's gods, and did not worship the golden image.  King Nebuchadnezzar was enraged and wanted to confirm it so he brought the three Jews in and questioned them about it.

The Jews' Response  

The Jews basically told the king the following: they have no need to answer him in the matter, their God whom they serve was able to deliver them from the burning fiery furnace and if not they would still not serve the king's gods or worship the golden image.

Thrown into Fiery Furnace

This made Nebuchadnezzar even more furious and he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than normal.  He ordered some of his army men to bind the three and cast them into the burning fiery furnace and they did.  The flame of the fire killed the army men and the three fell bound into the fiery furnace.

Four People, not Three, in Fiery Furnace, Jews Unharmed

King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and asked his couselors if they cast three men bound into the fire and they answered yes to the king.  However, the king saw four men abound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they were not hurt; the appearance of the fourth was like a son of the gods according to the king.  This fourth person was the Son of God Jesus Christ. The king ordered them to come out and they did completely unharmed.