Bible Study Series: Church & State: Understanding the Relationship Between Christians and Government

Lesson Two: The Christian’s Obligations to Government

Teacher: Dr. Ed Johnson III, Lead Pastor

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Paul urges/pleads/earnestly asks us to pray for all people and for government leaders. 

Why pray for government leaders? In order that we may live a peaceful and well-ordered life in all godliness and reverence/seriousness.

Point of growth: Pray for government leaders whom we did not vote for or don’t necessarily like. John Eidsmoe wrote, “It is easy to pray for the leader whom we respect or with whom we agree. It is much harder to pray for the leader whose personality is offensive, whose ethics are questionable, who takes the “wrong” position on every issue, or who is in the “wrong” party…they need our prayers – perhaps more than those we like.”

Submission/Obedience (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Titus 3:1)

We are commanded by God to submit to the laws, ordinances, procedures, and directives of governing authorities. 

The Roman Government (secular government)

During Paul's lifetime, Rome maintained:

- An extensive network of roads connecting cities and provinces.

- Military protection of imperial territory and major transportation routes.

- Courts and legal procedures for resolving certain disputes.

- Administrative systems for taxation and provincial government.

- Infrastructure such as aqueducts, ports, and public buildings.

Although Rome provided stability, its government was also capable of grave acts of injustice.

A. Harsh punishment and executions

Roman authorities used severe punishments to maintain order, including flogging, imprisonment, forced labor, and crucifixion.

Crucifixion was particularly associated with enslaved people, rebels, and others considered threats to Roman authority.

B. Financial exploitation

Tax collectors would require extra from the people to line their pockets. 

Imperfect government or governing authorities does not cancel out our obligation from God to submit to it or them. 

Civil disagreement and disobedience

Disobeying religious leaders – Acts 5:29

Disobeying government leaders – Daniel 3:1-18

God’s command for us to submit to governing authorities is not an unconditional or absolute submission. If anyone directs or threatens us to do or not do something that goes directly against the Scriptures, we are to obey God and not people. As Christians, we also can stand up for and leverage our citizenship rights as situations may warrant us doing so (e.g., Acts 22:22-39; Acts 25:1-12).

Honor (1 Peter 2:17; Titus 3:2)

Who was the Roman Emperor around the time when Paul wrote Romans and Peter wrote 1 Peter (approximately between 56-58 AD)? Nero. Nero was far from a perfect leader. He had his stepbrother Brittanicus poisoned. He ordered the murder of his mother, Agrippina. He had his first wife, Octavia, executed after he divorced her. Blamed the great fire of Rome in 64 AD on Christians and persecution broke out against them.

Honoring a government leader is not the same as approving or endorsing him or her or everything he or she does personally or politically. It is about showing appropriate respect to him or her as a fellow human being and for the position he or she occupies. 

Honoring government leaders not only refers to how we speak to them but also how we speak about them. 

Taxes (Romans 13:6-7a)

The United States has a three-level tax system: federal, state, and local. Depending on where you live, you may pay taxes to all three levels of government.

The three levels of taxation in America

Bonus: Political Engagement (The following are opportunities more so than obligations)

Voting

There is no Scripture that directly obligates the Christian to vote. This is understandable because in biblical times, the general population was not under systems of government where voting was needed, a right or a privilege. So, a Christian who chooses to not vote is not sinning against God. 

Voting can be one way we love our neighbors and seek the welfare of our city, state, and country.

If you vote, here are five factors that should inform your vote (the first three have to do with the candidate. The last one is personal to you.):

• Character
• Constitution
• Commitments (political platform/agenda/policies)
• Convictions (biblical and political)

Advocacy

Jury Duty

 Allows for eligible citizens to directly participate in the administration of justice. 

Serving in Political Campaigns and Positions

Petition & Protest

The First Amendment protects five fundamental freedoms:

 Freedom of religion — The right to practice religion without improper government interference. 

Freedom of speech — The right to express opinions, including criticism of government.

Freedom of the press — The right to publish and distribute information and opinions.

Freedom of assembly — The right to gather peacefully with others, including for demonstrations and protests.

 Freedom to petition — The right to ask government officials to address grievances or change policies.