Can a Christian Protest against Government?

• There is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God - God has established both Divine and human governments for the benefit of mankind. “Tasso” is the word that is translated as “set” or “ordained”. It refers to something that has been put in place or ordained by God, whether it be authority or the marriage relationship. So the Greek words for “subjection” are two words that mean “under ordination”. We are to be under the civilian authorities, we are to obey in all things lawful. God sets up all rulers and people in authority and works in their hearts to accomplish His will throughout the history of the world.

Rom 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.”

Pro 21:1 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”

John 19:10-11 “Then saith Pilate unto him [Lord Jesus], Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

• Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God - We do not rebel against the government. We know that God never sanctions rebels. God commands us to “obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves” (Heb 13:17), even if that government that is set over you is not the best of governments, even if they do many things wrong, even if there might be a tyrant for a dictator or a ruler over a particular country. Then it goes on to speak, in Rom 13, about how God has given the minister or the government the sword where they can execute wrath. This is because God has given the government that ability and that authority to pass Judgement in accordance with law of the land. You know, we as Christians always need to be careful that we do not speak evil of the government, of that authority that God has given to them. This is because if we are speaking evil of them, who allowed them to take this position? Who set them up in that position? who even says that He “setteth up…the basest of men” at times (Dan 4:17? Well, that is God. So we would really be speaking evil of God who brought all of this to pass to where a certain government is in power in the world. God warns about speaking evil of dignities in Jude 1.

Rom 13:2-4 “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For 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: 4For 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.”

Jude 1:8 “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.”

Dan 4:17 “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”

• Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due - When the government tells us to pay taxes, we pay taxes. When the government sets the speed limit, we obey the speed limit. When the government passes any law, as long as it is nothing contrary to what the Bible says, we obey. We obey because we are “set under” the government, and that includes everyone. We are to obey in all things lawful. If the government instructs the woman to get an abortion because they have ordained that the family is to only have so many children, then she is not bound. She does not have to obey that kind of law; it is okay to disobey in that case. Our ultimate Lord and King is Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Supreme Ruler over all the kings of the earth. Our Supreme Law Book is the Bible.

Rom 13:5-7 “Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."

Matt 22:17-21 "Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."

Rev 19:15-16 “And out of his [Jesus Christ] mouth goeth a sharp sword [two-edged Sword, The Word of God], that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”