OBEYING THE LAWS OF THE LAND

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be
subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the
forward. 1 Peter 2:17, 18.

The apostle plainly outlined the attitude that believers should sustain toward the
civil authorities: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:
whether it be to the king, as supreme; 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. For
so is the will of God, that with welldoing ye may put to silence the ignorance of
foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as
the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the
king.6The Acts of the Apostles, 522.

It is our duty in every case to obey the laws of our land, unless they conflict with
the higher law which God spoke with an audible voice from Sinai and afterward
engraved on stone with His own finger.... The ten precepts of Jehovah are the
foundation of all righteous and good laws. Those who love God's commandments
will conform to every good law of the land.7Testimonies for the Church 1:361, 362.

We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment and

teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when its
claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God's
Word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A “Thus saith the Lord” is
not to be set aside for a “Thus saith the church” or a “Thus saith the state.” The
crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates.

We are not required to defy authorities. Our words, whether spoken or written,
should be carefully considered.8The Acts of the Apostles, 69.

*****

Teach the people to conform in all things to the laws of their state when they can
do so without conflicting with the law of God.9Testimonies for the Church 9:238.

I saw that it is our duty in every case to obey the laws of our land, unless they
conflict with the higher law which God spoke with an audible voice from Sinai, and
afterward engraved on stone with His own finger.Testimonies for the Church 1:361
 He who obeys the divine law will most truly respect and obey the laws of his
country. He who fears God will honor the king in the exercise of all just and
legitimate authority. GC88 277.3

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.

Rom 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of

God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Rom 13:3  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:

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.

Rom 13:5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for
conscience sake.

Rom 13:6  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers,
attending continually upon this very thing.

Rom 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is

due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Tit 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey

magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Heb 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for
they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with
joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Acts 5:29 ESV / 51 helpful votes 

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
 Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 50 helpful votes 

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls,
as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with
groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Romans 13:1 ESV / 41 helpful votes 

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV / 39 helpful votes 

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the
emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and
to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you
should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free,
not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor
everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Titus 3:1 ESV / 36 helpful votes 

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready

for every good work,

Titus 3:1-2 ESV / 35 helpful votes 

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready

for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to
show perfect courtesy toward all people.

1 Peter 2:13-14 ESV / 22 helpful votes 

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the
emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and
to praise those who do good.

1 Peter 2:13-15 ESV / 18 helpful votes 

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the
emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and
to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you
should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
 Romans 13:1-2 ESV / 16 helpful votes 

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore
whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist
will incur judgment.

1 Timothy 2:1-15 ESV / 15 helpful votes 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and

thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that
we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is
good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be
saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is
one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ...

Acts 4:18-20 ESV / 13 helpful votes 

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of
Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to
listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we
have seen and heard.”

Acts 4:19 ESV / 12 helpful votes 

But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen
to you rather than to God, you must judge,

John 19:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes 

Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had
been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the
greater sin.”

1 Peter 2:13 ESV / 11 helpful votes 

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the
emperor as supreme,

Romans 13:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes 

Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those
who resist will incur judgment.
 Daniel 3:1-30 ESV / 11 helpful votes 

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and
its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the
governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the
officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King
Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the
counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the
provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set
up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald
proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that
when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind
of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King
Nebuchadnezzar has set up. ...

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 10 helpful votes 

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like
newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into
salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a
living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you
yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy
priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV / 10 helpful votes 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and

thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that
we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Romans 13:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes 

For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God,
attending to this very thing.

Romans 13:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes 

For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does
not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out
God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

Philippians 3:20 ESV / 8 helpful votes 

 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ,

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 8 helpful votes 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly places.

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes 

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a
wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

John 18:36 ESV / 8 helpful votes 

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this
world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to
the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Matthew 28:18 ESV / 8 helpful votes 

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me.

Daniel 2:21 ESV / 8 helpful votes 

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives
wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 7 helpful votes 

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Romans 13:1-4 ESV / 7 helpful votes 

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore
whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist
will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would
you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will
receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be
afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an
avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
 1 John 2:27 ESV / 6 helpful votes 

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need
that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and
is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 6 helpful votes 

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the
outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Ephesians 5:22 ESV / 5 helpful votes 

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

John 19:10-11 ESV / 5 helpful votes 

So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have
authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You
would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.
Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

1 John 4:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are
from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness,

1 Corinthians 5:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes 

When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present,
with the power of our Lord Jesus,

2 Peter 2:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes 

And especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise
authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones,

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes 

 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having
itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

Ephesians 6:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Romans 13:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes 

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom
revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in
him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the
world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 5:21-22 ESV / 3 helpful votes 

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and
whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is
angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be
liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes 

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie

down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He
leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod
and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Psalm 22:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes 

For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure
the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the
court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they
will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two
witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are
the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their
foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the
things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his
servant John,

1 Peter 2:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

Or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who
do good.

1 Timothy 2:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is
to remain quiet.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and

thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that
we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is
good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and
mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with
you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to
anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 5:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his
body, and is himself its Savior.

Galatians 3:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and
female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
 1 Corinthians 15:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some
have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

Romans 13:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in
sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Romans 13:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of
the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,

Romans 13:1-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore
whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist
will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would
you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will
receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be
afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an
avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in
subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Matthew 24:1-51 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to
him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you
not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will
not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him
privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of
your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no
one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and
they will lead many astray. ...

Daniel 2:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall
never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in
pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and
Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear,
O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared
and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the
donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who
deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of
Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you
continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

1 Samuel 15:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes 

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being
king.”

Genesis 1:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them
have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the
livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the
earth.”

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