In our doctrinal statement, there are no proof texts that are given.
However, this concept is to be found in the Scriptures, especially in three references. We will look at these in this declaration.
The first part of this declaration is actually based, I believe, on the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution. There is a basis for this in the Scriptures as well.
The 1st Amendment reads thusly: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I realize that today this freedom is in jeopardy. I believe the following verses give us clear instructions on how to handle this threat.
Matthew 22:15-21: 15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how
they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their
disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true,
and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man:
for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What
thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But
Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye
hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him
a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and
superscription? 21 They 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.
194
In these passages, the Pharisees were trying to entrap Jesus into saying something that could be used against Him. If He said yes, they would be able to catch Him in a lie. If He said no, they would be able to charge Him for treason against Ceasar. Jesus knew what they were attempting to achieve. Because of this He was able to give an answer that could not be used against Him, … Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are
Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Romans 13:1-7: 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. 2
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God:
and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 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: 4 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. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also
for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are
God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render
therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to
whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
These passages give us our marching orders as pertaining to human authorities. Paul states the glaring fact that everyone is subject to a higher power than himself/herself. Even the highest earthly power is subject to God, whether they acknowledge it or not. There is no higher power than God the Father. Even Jesus was subject to God the Father and did all that He was supposed to do under God’s authority. If we resist the authority that is over us, we will suffer the consequences. That is whether it is good or bad. The next reference gives us a clear pattern to follow if the authority or law is against God’s laws. Because we are to be in obedience to the higher authority, we are to pay taxes. We do not like paying taxes but that is what verse seven instructs us to do. … tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
195
Acts 5:17-29: 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with
him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with
indignation, 18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the
common prison. 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison
doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the
temple to the people all the words of this life. 21 And when they heard
that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But
the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council
together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the
prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, and found
them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23 Saying, The prison
truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without
before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief
priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would
grow. 25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom
ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without
violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council:
and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command
you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled
Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon
us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought
to obey God rather than men.
I believe that one of the reasons God included this event in the Scriptures was to let us know what to do when we find that our authorities and laws are in contradiction to God’s ways and God’s laws.
Basically, some of the Apostles were preaching and teaching in the temple which upset the local religious authorities. The results of their preaching and teaching were causing people to accept the Gospel and turn away from the Jewish religious beliefs. This caused the Jewish authority (the high priest and his cohorts) to cast them into prison and charge that they were not to preach and teach this way again ever.
196
As the event progresses, we find that they were released from prison by an angel of the Lord who instructed them to return to the temple and resume their preaching and teaching. Come the morning, that is just what they did.
The authorities sent their officers to get them from the common prison to bring them before the council, but to their astonishment, they were not there, and no one had failed to do their duty (the prison guards). It was then that they found out the Apostles were again to be found in the temple preaching and teaching as they had been before their arrest. When they were brought before the council, they were asked why they had not obeyed the command to not preach and teach again, they answered with an answer that gives us what we need to know about authorities who violate God’s commands and instructions. Then Peter and the other apostles answered
and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
That is a clear declaration and a definitive instruction to what we should do when we find that our authorities demand that we do something that is against what God would have.
Conclusion to Declaration #21
We can condense this declaration to this: We believe we have the right and freedom to worship as we are led by the Holy Spirit and that we are to be in obedience to human authorities unless they go against God and His will and way.
197
198
199
22. We believe the Biblical definition of marriage is the union between a man and a woman.