Jesus and the Apostles

Jesus and the Apostles : 

What was their attitude toward civil government? Jesus and the Apostles

Points to Ponder : 

Points to Ponder The Political World of the 1st century? What was Jesus’ attitude toward government? What was the apostles attitude toward government? What did each teach regarding the believers' role?

Slide 3: 

The Political World of Jesus and the Apostles

The Political World of Jesus : 

The Political World of Jesus Two major political powers . . . Jewish Law Pharisees – conservative theologians Sadducees – liberal secularists Roman Law Kings – The Herod Family Governors - Pilate These Two Political Powers were in Constant Tension

The Political World of Jesus : 

The Political World of Jesus The Jewish World (A Broken Theocracy) Corrupt – Religious leaders had turned Judaism into a system for personal political and financial gains. Hypocritical – Scribes and Pharisees pretended to be religious but were not. Ungodly – Mosaic law was abused and twisted to fit practices (ex: Corban) Wicked – Jesus called his generation adulterous and wicked (Mt 16:4)

The Political World of Jesus : 

The Political World of Jesus The Roman World (A Cruel Secular Government) Slavery – Slavery flourished in the Roman Empire. There were approximately three slaves to every free man. Tyranny – Rulers ruled in evil and in absolute ways. High Taxes – Taxes by Rome were exorbitant. Persecution – Jews were treated as property and had no political say in Rome

Slide 7: 

Jesus’ Attitude toward the Government

Jesus’ Attitude Toward the Government : 

Jesus’ Attitude Toward the Government What was Jesus’ reaction to these evil systems? Civil Disobedience? Disrespect? Political marches? Protests? Vigilantism? No!

Jesus’ Attitude Toward the Government : 

Jesus’ Attitude Toward the Government Jesus’ reaction to the Jewish thinking: Eye for eye, tooth for tooth – (Lex Talionis) Matthew 5:38 Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Love neighbor and hate enemy – Matthew 5:45 Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Jesus’ Attitude Toward the Government : 

Jesus’ Attitude Toward the Government Jesus’ reaction to disobeying Rome Giving taxes to Caesar: Mt 22:21 Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Slide 11: 

Jesus’ Encounters with the Authorities

Jesus Encounters with Authorities : 

Jesus Encounters with Authorities With the Jewish Authorities He rebuked them for hypocrisy He warned them of impending doom He preached the Word of God to them Never did he suggest overthrowing God’s theocracy even though the Jews had corrupted it. Mt 23:2 -3 The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Jesus Encounters with Authorities : 

Jesus Encounters with Authorities Jesus before the Temple Guards in the Garden: He did not resist arrest He did not allow his disciples to defend him He did not fight back Jesus did not try to change the inevitable outcome Jesus rebuked Peter for taking the sword Mt 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Jesus Encounters with Authorities : 

Jesus Encounters with Authorities Jesus before Pilate: Jesus said very little if anything at all He affirmed the truth that he was the Son of God Jesus affirmed that he was a king but not a political king John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Slide 15: 

What Jesus Taught His Disciples About Worldly Power

What Jesus Taught About Worldly Power : 

What Jesus Taught About Worldly Power Jesus was not interested in a new social order, but in a new spiritual order--the church. And He mandated the church to carry on the same kind of ministry. (John MacArthur, Civil Government)

What Jesus Taught About Worldly Power : 

What Jesus Taught About Worldly Power Jesus was not interested in worldly kingdoms Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"

What Jesus Taught About Worldly Power : 

What Jesus Taught About Worldly Power Jesus was not interested in worldly kingdoms John 6:15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

What Jesus Taught About Worldly Power : 

What Jesus Taught About Worldly Power Worldly greatness is not part of Christ's kingdom. Matthew 20:25-26 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

What Jesus Taught About Worldly Power : 

What Jesus Taught About Worldly Power Jesus told Pilate that His Kingdom was Spiritual John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.“ . . . For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

Slide 21: 

What Kind of Problems Did the Apostle’s Face?

Problems the Apostles Faced? : 

Problems the Apostles Faced? They faced persecution and opposition Their lives were threatened They were driven out of cities They were always on the run

Slide 23: 

What Did the Apostles Do When they Faced Problems?

What Did the Apostles Do? : 

What Did the Apostles Do? What did the Apostles and the Early Church Do? Did they riot? Did they protest? Did they march on Jerusalem or Rome? Did they get involved in politics and try to change things? NO! They simply preached the Word and obeyed Christ as best they could!

What Did the Apostles Do? : 

What Did the Apostles Do? What did the Apostles and the Early Church Do? Did they criticize those in authority? In a land of free speech we sometimes forget that we can quickly violate God’s law by criticizing our rulers. We may disagree with government’s policy but government is ordained by God. Acts 23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

What Did the Apostles Do? : 

What Did the Apostles Do? They preached!!! Acts 4:18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

What Did the Apostles Do? : 

What Did the Apostles Do? They Endured Persecution Acts 16:23-25 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

What Did the Apostles Do? : 

What Did the Apostles Do? They let the law protect them when possible. Acts 22:22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” 23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. 25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?"

What Did the Apostles Do? : 

What Did the Apostles Do? They let the law to protect them when possible. There is nothing wrong with appealing to the government for protection. Christians are allowed to used their legal rights. But Christians are not allowed to take other Christians to law (1 Cor 6). We are not allowed to use the government for vengeance against others (Rom 12:19)

Slide 30: 

What Did the Apostles Teach About Civil Government?

What The Apostles Taught : 

What The Apostles Taught Christians are to PRAY for their rulers: 1Timothy 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

What the Apostles Taught : 

What the Apostles Taught Tertullian ( Carthaginian theologian, A.D. 160 to 230.) “ Without ceasing, for all our emperors we offer prayer. We pray for life prolonged; for security to the empire; for protection to the imperial house; for brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, the world at rest--whatever, as man or Caesar, an emperor would wish" (chap. xxx).

What The Apostles Taught : 

What The Apostles Taught Christians are to OBEY their rulers: Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

What The Apostles Taught : 

What The Apostles Taught Christians are to OBEY their rulers: 1Peter 2:13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

What The Apostles Taught : 

What The Apostles Taught What we learn from 1 Peter 2:13 Submit – (hupotasso) place ourselves under rulers We submit as a part of our submission to God Rulers are designed to punish evil Christians are to do good and win the approval of others Honor the king – hold the civil authorities in esteem

What The Apostles Taught : 

What The Apostles Taught Christians are to Pay their taxes: Matthew 22:21 Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

What The Apostles Taught : 

What The Apostles Taught Christians are to Pay their taxes: Romans 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

What the Apostles Taught : 

What the Apostles Taught Justin Martyr (A.D. 100 to 163) "Everywhere, we, more readily than all men, endeavour to pay to those appointed by you the taxes both ordinary and extraordinary, as we have been taught by [Jesus.] ... Whence to God alone we render worship, but in other things we gladly serve you, acknowledging you as kings, and rulers of men, and praying that with your kingly power you be found to possess also sound judgment" (First Apology. chap. xvii).

Conclusion : 

Conclusion The Apostles and early Christians were persecuted but never advocated civil disobedience. The Apostles preached and endured. Christians have three basic responsibilities: Pray Obey Pay