BIBLICAL CONCEPTION

OF THE STATE
By Very Revd Dr. Ifechukwu U. Ibeme
http://www.scribd.com/ifeogo
Click Here For PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre

*BIBLICAL CONCEPTION OF THE STATE*

https://archive.org/details/fundamentalsofch0000jame/page/n2/mode/1up

TWO DOCTRINES OF THE STATE

Authority is God's initiative and concept instituted for righteous rule and
judgment by some humans amongst other humans (Gen 9:6; 2Sam 23:3). So,
authority belongs to God alone and is subject to His rule and ultimate judgment
(Psa 67:3-4; Jer 27:5; Dan 4:17b). But as depraved humanity abuses everything in
their own nature which God has made in them, so also do they abuse everything
God has provided for them.

1
The State is God’s provision for orderly and lawful governance of humans who
constitute subjects or citizens or inhabitants of any community, city, country,
kingdom, nation and empire (Rom 13:1-7; 1Pet 2:13-17).

Romans 13:1-7
(1) Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority
exists except by God’s permission. The existing authorities have been established
by God,
(2) so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and
those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
(3) For the authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like
to live without being afraid of the authorities? Then do what is right, and you will
receive their approval.
(4) For they are God’s servants working for your good. But if you do what is
wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword.
Indeed, they are God’s servants to execute wrath on anyone who does wrong.
(5) Therefore, it is necessary for you to be subject, not only because of God’s
wrath but also because of your own conscience.
(6) This is also why you pay taxes. For rulers are God’s servants faithfully devoting
themselves to their work.
(7) Pay everyone whatever you owe them-taxes to whom taxes are due, tolls to
whom tolls are due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due.

1Peter 2:13-17
(13) For the Lord’s sake submit yourselves to every human authority: whether to
the king as supreme,
(14) or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to
praise those who do right.
(15) For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of
foolish people.
(16) Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil.
Instead, be God’s servants.
(17) Show honor to everyone. Keep on loving the brothers, fearing God, and
honoring the king.

2
There are two political doctrines of the State and Statesmanship – an EVIL cruel
DOCTRINE of Force with Intrigues, and the SACRED caring DOCTRINE of Justice
with Integrity.

Pro 14:34
Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Pro 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked
bears rule, the people mourn.

THREE FORMS OF THE STATE OR GOVERNMENTS FOUND AMONG THE NATIONS

In a MONARCHY, sovereignty belongs to the King or Emperor who appoints and
delegates his princes and nobles as his representatives to the people who are his
subjects without any voice for law or votes that count. When the Royalty applies
the evil doctrine of the State in its governance of the Kingdom or Empire, it is
called TYRANNY.

In an ARISTOCRACY, which is not under a king (i.e. a REPUBLIC), gangs of “ruling

class” (both noble and ignoble) usurp State sovereignty over the people (as cabals
or juntas, caucuses or parties) to manipulate the people (through clever
sentiments of tribe and trade, creed and colour) or subjugate the people (through
violence and force) into servitude that has neither voice for law nor votes that
count. When the Aristocrats apply the evil doctrine of the State in their
governance of the City, Nation or Country, it is called OLIGARCHY.

On the other hand, in a DEMOCRACY, sovereignty belongs to the people who have
the voice of the law and the votes that count for electing and delegate their
politicians as their accountable representatives, such that the people are only
subjects to their politicians so long as such positions represent the people lawfully
as the people demand. So, in a democracy the people are both the sovereign and
the subjects at the same time, while the politicians are their representatives not
monarch and princes. When the People and their representative Politicians apply
the evil doctrine of the State in the governance of the City, Nation or Country
contrary to the people’s constitution and laws, it is called ANARCHY.

3
Equity is the Righteous administration of Justice according to the rule of just
laws according to the sacred doctrine of the State. The SACRED and true
doctrine of the State seeks to equitably and justly uphold and protect human
DIGNITY, LIBERTY, EQUALITY and SOLIDARITY as the natural, inalienable and
fundamental human rights for all.

Except in the Israelite dynasty of David, where the Monarch was equally subject to
God's Law with his subjects, Gentile Monarchs are usually exempt from the king's
law over his/her subjects. All nations also have this pagan tendency in a
Republican Aristocracy. Even in modern Democracy where all are equal before the
people's law, as godly principles of equity and justice for all demands, the leaders
are using cruel and crooked mentality to corrupt this sacred principle in order to
act above and against the law.

THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF THE STATE

Evil and unjust concepts of the State have distorted politics and Statesmanship to
be falsely perceived as a game of numbers, a scheme for interest, a means of
subjugation, and clash of power and a wield of brutality, a play of intrigues, ….
aimed at cruelty and conquest against the rights of another. This demonic
doctrine of politics and Statesmanship is the worst lie humanity has ever bought
into, which led to the two World Wars and has again swooned the whole world
back into bestial savagery and mayhem! This is not only in Africa but also in the
East and the West.

The true and sacred reason and purpose for the State, politics and
Statesmanship is justice and righteousness for the harmonious rights and liberty
of coexistent humanity. Nothing else could be true without becoming a vicious
circle!

Human historical experience has proved that those who learned this sacred and
true doctrine of justice in the State have used it to bless the peace, prosperity and
liberty of their nations.
“If we will have peace without a worm in it, lay the foundations in justice and
righteousness.” – Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658).

4
“Justice is the fundamental law of society. The most sacred of all government is to
do equal and impartial justice to all citizens.” – Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826).
“The necessary ends of the State are: To redress wrongs, prevent the invasion of
rights, promote the public welfare.” – Theodore D. Woolsey (1801-1889).

According to David, God’s ordinance for kings as State authorities is to establish

equity in the nation. Equity means ruling the nation or judging the people by
God's law of righteousness and justice.

Psa 99:4
(4) The king's strength also loves JUSTICE; you do establish EQUITY, you execute
JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS in Jacob.

David and Solomon and all the Prophets understood and expounded the eternal
truth that God’s basis for blessing a nation with peace and prosperity is the
righteousness and justice of both the princes and the people. In absence of
righteousness and justice the nation or State would fall into reproach as the
inevitable consequence. This divine ordinance is true for any Nation or State
whether it be a monarchy ruled by king and princes or a democracy led by
president and politicians. The rise and fall of all nations all through the ages of
human history has proved this eternal truth that good and survival of
governments and nations depend on their justice and righteousness while
reproach and collapse depend on their injustice and unrighteousness.

In the KJV Bible, the Hebrew word translated RIGHTEOUSNESS is “tsedaqah,” the
word translated JUSTICE is “tsedaqah;” while EQUITY or JUDGMENT translates the
statesmanly administration of “tsedaqah” among the people.

The Gospel also speaks further about Own Righteousness which people seek to
establish on their own by law and Gift Righteousness which they should submit to
receive from God by faith (Rom 10:3-4). These values are no longer understood
this perverse and rebellious generation of subjective and carnal thinking.

Own Righteousness as a BEHAVED/ATTAINED virtue is about …

1. doing right in character and conduct before the law and the people
OUTWARDLY, or
5
2. thinking right in concept and conscience before God INWARDLY.
Own Righteousness was attained by moral works of the Law NATURALLY, but now
it is also attained by fruitful walk in the Spirit SUPERNATURALLY.

Gift Righteousness as a BESTOWED/OBTAINED virtue is also about being made to

stand right redemptively …
1. before man (JUDICIALLY by princes and judges of the State),
2. before God RITUALLY by priests of the Sanctuary), or
3. before God (SPIRITUALLY by Christ for His Church) – This is the Saving
Righteousness of the Gospel.

State Justice as a JUDICIAL measure is about making right in judgment and equity
before the law, the people and God interventionally…
1. to amend people and matters that have gone wrong, or
2. to hinder people and matters from going wrong.

Whereas SUPERNATURAL (White Linen Rev 19:8) Righteousness is expected of the

Church and Christ’s Kingdom, it is mainly NATURAL (Filthy Rags Isa 64:6)
Behavioral Righteousness, Judicial Righteousness and State Justice that are the
basic fundamentals of the Divine Institution of governance or the State for any
people and any nation to enjoy harmony, security and progress (1Tim 2:2; 1Pet
2:14).

Psa 22:28
(28) For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

Dan 4:17b
(17) …. that the living may know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men,
and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowliest of men.

Therefore:
 The Church must therefore awaken to PRESSURE the princes and politician
to rule by righteousness and justice and equity.
 The Church must PREACH to the people to demand for righteousness and
justice and equity from the princes and politicians.

6
  The Church must PRAY God for His will in governance to be done, which is
righteousness and justice and equity among the people.

The only basis for which the Church would support any prince or politician must
be for righteousness and justice and equity – no other considerations or
sentiments should distract the Saints from this divine design.
2Sa 23:3
(3) The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, He that RULES OVER
MEN must be JUST, ruling in the fear of God.

Psa 72:1-3
(1) [A Psalm of Solomon.] Give the king your JUDGMENTS, O God, and your
RIGHTEOUSNESS unto the king's son.
(2) He shall JUDGE your people with RIGHTEOUSNESS, and your poor with JUSTICE.
(3) The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by
RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Pro 14:34
(34) RIGHTEOUSNESS exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

From theses verses, it is obvious that God’s ordained purpose for governance in
any nation is justice and equity amongst citizens.

THE DIVINE PATTERN OF THE STATE AS COULD BE FOUND IN THE BIBLE

Over 80 years ago, in his book, *Fundamentals of Christian Statesmanship: _A
Study of the Bible from the Standpoint of Politics and the State_*, published in
1939 by Fleming H. Revell Company, New York
(https://archive.org/details/fundamentalsofch0000jame/page/n2/mode/2up )
James Wallace who was then a 90 year old man who has been a Professor of
Political Science in the Macalester College, Minesota wrote on this subject matter.

Excerpts…..

"The basic teaching of Scripture bearing on Biblical conception of the State is

• that the State is founded on justice and equity;

7
• that its primary and essential purpose is the enactment and administration of
just and equitable laws;
• that it is instituted of God for this purpose;
• that in the fulfillment of its mission it is more and more to become the agent
and organized expression of His character and purpose;
• that the State, like the individual, is judged by the divine standard of
righteousness and justice;
• that lawmakers, judges, executives (kings, presidents, governors) are God's
servants, charged with the responsibility of bringing to all the people the blessings
of a just, efficient, and humane government.
In short, as presented in Scripture, the State is endowed with attributes of
personality. It has mind, feeling, will--a moral nature."

"This endowment and responsibility pertain to all States, but especially to a

republic or a democracy.
 A democracy can elect wise and able men to office or it can choose
unscrupulous politicians.
 It can base legislation on principle or be governed by expediency.
 It can exalt wealth above morals or morals above wealth.
 It can promote temperance and sound morality or the reverse.
 It may be moved by prejudice and partisanism or be motivated by
reason and rectitude.
 It can have a passion for justice or a passion for power and conquest.
 It can be peaceable or it can be warlike.
 It can be humane or it can be cruel.
 It can be utterly selfish (nationalistic) or generously recognize the
equality and rights of other States (diplomatic)."

These were based on Scriptures that speak everywhere of righteousness of God as

His character and that righteousness is God’s ruling canon in Zion for Israel and in
the State or Government among the nations. For instance

Psa 45:6
(6) Your throne, O God, is forever and ever: the scepter of your kingdom is a
RIGHTEOUS scepter.

8
Psa 96:10
(10) Say AMONG THE NATIONS that the LORD reigns: the world also shall be
established that it shall not be moved: he shall JUDGE the people RIGHTEOUSLY.

Psa 99:4
(4) The king's strength also loves JUSTICE; you do establish EQUITY, you execute
JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS in Jacob.

Isa 32:1
(1) Behold, a king shall reign in RIGHTEOUSNESS, and princes shall rule in JUSTICE.

Isa 9:7
(7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the
throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with JUSTICE
and with RIGHTEOUSNESS from this time forth even forever. The zeal of the LORD
of hosts will perform this.

Isa 28:6
(6) And for a spirit of JUSTICE to him that sits in judgment, …

Isa 28:16-17
(16) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a
stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believes
shall not be in haste.
(17) JUSTICE also will I make the measuring line, and RIGHTEOUSNESS the plumb
line: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall
overflow the hiding place.

Jer 23:5-6
(5) Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will raise unto David a
RIGHTEOUS Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute JUSTICE
and RIGHTEOUSNESS in the earth.
(6) In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his
name by which he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

9
THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN STATE MATTERS
The Church seems to still know (though grossly tainted with lust and pride) that
God has commanded each Soul as individuals that our PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
must kindly ensure to show God's love and kindness to one another in their
interaction as second-party fellows.

But the Church seems to no longer know (or has abandoned the ancient path
knowledge) that God has ordained the State as nations that GOVERNMENT
RULERSHIP must equitably ensure to enforce God's justice among the people as
an equitable third-party institution mediating among its citizens. This apathy was
not so until recent times after the emergence of the United Nations following the
Second World War.

This modern ignorance about God’s concept of the State and negligence of
Church’s responsibilities in State matters were not found in the Church of the past.
The victory against godless governance at the WW II and the successful
emergence of universal suffrage democracy and institution of international
community treaties seems to have deceived the Church to wrongfully lapse into
slumber and stupor on understanding of and engagement in State issues.

The Universal Church had understood herself to be God’s international

institution for the conscientization and reconciliation of the nations and the
State authorities, that is why the Church played that role for 1500 years all
through the Roman Empire and European Civilization. For this reason, it is not
proper for the modern Church to go to sleep and stay out of political matters of
the nations simply because we have succeeded in establishing the United
Nations and other international moderating bodies.

Political office holders are called HONORABLES and EXCELLENCIES as Statesmen,

because their offices are instituted by God for excellent and honourable purpose
of administering JUSTICE and EQUITY among the people. To do otherwise in
governance of the State is to violate GOD'S RULES and violate the PEOPLE'S
RIGHTS. The world of today needs to be reminded that this doctrine of
Statesmanship and politics was what all the prophets preached to all the princes
in the presence of all the peoples in all generations of all the nations.
10
We must therefore follow the footsteps of the Prophets and the Apostles to
remember that God rules and vetoes in all affairs of all peoples (Dan 4:17, 25, 32);
and all princes or kings or dignitaries in State authority are His agents of social
restraint and retribution (Rom 13:1-7; 1Tim 2:1-3; 1Pet 2:13-17). Unlike the
ministers of the Sanctuary and the Church who also work for the regeneration and
revival of both the people and the princes, sovereigns and subjects alike, ministers
of the State or secular authorities are not necessarily equipped as agents of
spiritual regeneration and revival.

Grace to you
I. U. Ibeme.

Last Updated September 12, 2023

Copyright PriscAquila Publishing, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Click Here For
Click Here For PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre

11