• Romans 13:1-7
    Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 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.
     
  • Acts 5:29
    But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
     
  • John 19:10-11
    Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."
     
  • 1 Peter 2:13-20
    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. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
     
  • Daniel 4:17
    "This decision is by the decree of the watchers,
    And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,
    In order that the living may know
    That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
    Gives it to whomever He will,
    And sets over it the lowest of men."
     
  • Matthew 22:21
    They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
     
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-3
    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,
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Civil Government


Resources

Authority and Government

Sermon by John O. Reid

Too many feel that they are above the law, but paradoxically, laws proliferate when corruption prevails. We must be subject to all law, God's and man's.


Should We Obey the Laws of Our Government?

Article by John O. Reid

Should we obey the governments of man over us? Should we obey it if we consider it an 'illegal' government?


Self-Government (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

If we govern ourselves, God will take care of us. Government of any kind will not work unless people govern their own nature. Self-control enables us to show love.


How Does God View Human Government?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

As obnoxious as tyrannical power may seem, we have the obligation to behave lawfully. Even the vilest of leaders has been allowed by God to rule.


Self-Government: Overcoming

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We dare not allow anybody to come between God's direct governance and ourselves. Even God's government will not work unless we voluntarily govern ourselves.


Government (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

For us to take on the glory of God, we must have the same kind of access to the Father as Christ did, taking on the responsibility of behaving like His sons.


Self-Government and Responsibility (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We need free moral agency to be transformed into God's image. Unless one has God's Spirit, he cannot exercise the internal control to be subject to the way of God.


Government (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Only those who are governable will be allowed to govern with God. No government will work without each individual submitting in his area of responsibility.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Civil Government