Beth-El Baptist Church

06/13/2010

Greg Tomlinson


What is the relationship between the Government and the Christian?


The relationship between the Government and the Christian life is very controversial. There are Christians who advocate complete separation, even to the degree that no Christian should run for public office nor even vote in elections for those running for office. There are other Christians who not only advocate that Christians should run for office but that preachers should functionally campaign, from the pulpit, for those running for office.


  1. What is the role of government?

Romans 13:3-7 Judges 2:14-20

Deuteronomy 17:14-20 2 Chronicles 32:1-8


The primary role of the government is to judge and condemn evil and to take the evil out of the way. Functioning as an enemy against evil, the government is identified as being a minister of God. The government is furthermore called of God to adhere to and to carry out the laws identified by God. The government is to know and to keep the law of God first. The role of government also extends beyond being a judge against evil, to being a protector of the people. The government is to continually encourage the people to return to obedience to God and to emphasize that it is ultimately God who is to be the defender of the people.


  1. What is required for the government to be a minister of God?

2 Samuel 23:3 Proverbs 29:2

Deuteronomy 17:15 Romans 6:16-22

Daniel 4:17; 4:25; 4:32


In order for the government to be a minister of God, those who are in the position of functioning as the government must be “just, ruling in the fear of God”. The government is to be comprised of those people who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ; without the love of God and the fear of God, they will refuse to recognize that it is God who gave them stewardship of ruling over the people. They are in office only by the decree and commands of God. Therefore, only Christians should serve in government positions because only Christians have the ability to do what is right for others rather than just what is “right” for themselves.


  1. Should the church leave the government alone and keep totally separate from it?

Romans 13:1-3 2 Samuel 12:1-7

Acts 4:10-20; 5:26-31 Matthew 6:24; 22:17-21


As much as it is possible, the church (people of God, Christians) should obey the laws and commands of the government. There is a limitation of being obedient to the government. When the government ceases being the minister of God for good against evil, then the church has an obligation to disobey the government so that it may obey God. Furthermore, the church needs to enlighten the government about their job as ministers of God and specifically about their disobedience against God and Christ and proclaim truth to those in government. The church cannot neglect exposing evil and unrighteousness even amongst government officials.


  1. Should the church use the pulpit to campaign for candidates?

1 Corinthians 2:1-2 Acts 20:25-31

Revelation 2:4-6 Matthew 15:8-9

Isaiah 28:9-14 Hosea 4:5-7


Since the primary function of the church is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the full counsel of God, it must be careful that it does not depart from it primary purpose. The church must proclaim the Gospel and teach the wisdom and understanding of God. The church is to teach the principles of God so that the people will know the commands of God so that they will not be destroyed due to their lack of knowledge. Furthermore, when the church identifies one particular candidate to endorse, support or otherwise identify itself with, it is in a real sense identifying the candidate as God's candidate. It should rather encourage the people to evaluate all candidates on the basis of biblical doctrine and not to promote any particular individual. It is good to identify the dividing issues and to identify where each of the candidates stand on those issues, so that the people are informed. The church should be sure that the information concerning the belief of the candidate is rightly understood.