Forbidden Bible Studies

Forbidden Home Bible Studies - Pray For Your Government

First published: 2020-07-31 ---- Last edited: 2020-12-29

Recently, the governor of California forbade Christians to have Bible studies at home. See here and here. Does he have the authority to make that decree or is he usurping an authority that he rightfully does not have? What is God, the Almighty, the Creator of heave and earth - what is He saying about such an edict?

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 the 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 (Romans 13:1-5).

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king (I Peter 2:13-17).

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them (Acts 5:29-33).

We need to highlight a few statements made in the three passages above:

It is God who ordained, instituted human government.
The purpose of government is to punish evil and to reward good.
The sword is given to the government, not to the Church. The Church has been given another Sword, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
God, who ordained government, has established what is good and what is evil in His Word, the Bible.
Government officials must have a good knowledge of the word of God to be able to discern what is good and what is evil.
Any government that sets aside God’s Word has forfeited its authority to govern. It literally has become lawless.
Setting aside the Word of God, a governor has no right to impose a godless (a-theistic), humanistic religion on the people.
Under the rule of a lawless government we must obey God rather than men.

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him (Psalms 2:10-12).

What can churches and individual Christians do facing the onslaught of a lawless government that is armed to the teeth? - The Bible, God’s Holy Word, gives us the answer:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20).

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:10-18).

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 Timothy 2:1-4).

This is the response that God’s Word teaches us:

We must understand that this is a spiritual battle. The Church must not respond with violent resistance. God gave another Sword to the Church “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Because the “Sword of the Spirit” is the Word of God, Christians must study the Bible to gain a solid understanding of the Word of God.
In a spiritual battle armed resistance is absolutely useless. No firecracker, baseball bat, bullet, or grenade will hinder or deter Satan. But: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:17-18).
We need to pray that government officials will gain a solid understanding of the word of God so that they are able to discern good from evil.
We need to pray that God will empower government official to punish evil and reward good.
We need to pray that God will remove government official from office that are NOT seeking to punish evil and to reward good, and especially those that support evil doing.