Is this a proper role for civil government according to the Bible? Which Scriptures support your claim.
Below is a summary of the role of civil government that may be helpful in your analysis. This is the Civil Magistrate Chapter of the original Westminster Confession of Faith written in about 1646. This is what the founding father of America believed about the role of civil government.
What should Christians do if Arizona requires a transport and stocking permit for the aquaponics system at Legacy High School. Permitting typically involve state inspection, costs, time, paperwork, and the ability of the state to make your aquaponics system illegal for any reason they desire.
In this situation is the state asking Christians to disobey God? Are they asking something that is against God's Word or not? Is asking something against God's Word asking Christians to disobey God?
How would it be obeying or disobeying God to take the permit? What is your Scripture reference? What would your teachers, parents and or pastors say about this issue?
Chapter XXIII
Of the Civil Magistrate
I. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates, to be, under Him, over the people, for His own glory, and the public good: and, to this end, has armed them with the power of the sword, for the defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers.
II. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto: in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth; so, for that end, they may lawfully, now under the New Testament, wage war, upon just and necessary occasion.
III. The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and sacraments, or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven: yet he has authority, and it is his duty, to take order that unity and peace be preserved in the Church, that the truth of God be kept pure and entire, that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed, all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented or reformed, and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administrated, and observed. For the better effecting whereof, he has power to call synods, to be present at them and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God
IV. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates, to honor their persons, to pay them tribute or other dues, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience' sake. Infidelity, or difference in religion, does not make void the magistrates' just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to them: from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted, much less has the Pope any power and jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people; and, least of all, to deprive them of their dominions, or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretence whatsoever.
Scripture References Supporting the Above Summary
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. 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. 1PE 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance
of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 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.
PRO 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule,
and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,
resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to
themselves damnation. 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.
PSA 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the
earth. 12 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. 1TI 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. PSA 82:3 Defend the poor
and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and
needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 2SA 23:3 The God of Israel said,
the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in
the fear of God. 1PE 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the
Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme.
LUK 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we
do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely;
and be content with your wages. ROM 13:4 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. MAT 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers
under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he
cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he
marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not
found so great faith, no, not in Israel. ACT 10:1 There was a certain man in
Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A
devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to
the people, and prayed to God alway. REV 17:14 These shall make war with the
Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of
kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 16 And
the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and
shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with
fire.
2CH 26:18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It
appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the
priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the
sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from
the Lord God. MAT 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the
church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an
heathen man and a publican. MAT 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the
kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 1CO
12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily
prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are
all teachers? are all workers of miracles? EPH 4:11 And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ. 1CO 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the
ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is
required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. ROM 10:15 And how shall
they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet
of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
HEB 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of
God, as was Aaron.
ISA 49:23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing
mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick
up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall
not be ashamed that wait for me. PSA 122:9 Because of the house of the Lord our
God I will seek thy good. EZR 7:23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of
heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why
should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? 25 And thou,
Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and
judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as
know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not. 26 And
whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment
be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or
to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. 27 Blessed be the Lord God of our
fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify
the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem: 28 And hath extended mercy unto me
before the king, and his counsellers, and before all the king's mighty princes.
And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I
gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me. LEV 24:16 And he
that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all
the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is
born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to
death. DEU 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to
death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which
brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of
bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to
walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. 6 If thy
brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy
bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying,
Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy
fathers. 12 If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the Lord thy God
hath given thee to dwell there, saying, etc. 2KI 18:4 He removed the high
places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the
brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel
did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. (1CH 13:1-8; 2KI 24:1-25)
2CH 34:33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries
that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in
Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they
departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2CH 15:12 And
they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all
their heart and with all their soul; 13 That whosoever would not seek the Lord
God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or
woman.
2CH 19:8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the
priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the
Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. 9 And he charged
them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a
perfect heart. 10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that
dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment,
statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against
the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye
shall not trespass. 11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all
matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of
Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before
you. Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good. (2CH 29-30) MAT
2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people
together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto
him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet.
1TI 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for
all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty.
1PE 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
ROM 13:6 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.
ROM 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for
conscience sake. TIT 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and
powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.
1PE 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:
whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 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. 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of
maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
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. 1KI 2:35 And the king
put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest
did the king put in the room of Abiathar. ACT 25:9 But Festus, willing to do
the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and
there be judged of these things before me? 10 Then said Paul, I stand at
Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no
wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed
any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these
things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto
Caesar. 2PE 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as
there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves
swift destruction. 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of
uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they
are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater
in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
JUD 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion,
and speak evil of dignities. JUD 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending
with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him
a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil
of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute
beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they
have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for
reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
2TH 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that
is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself
that he is God. REV 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the
beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as
would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all,
both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their
right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save
he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
