| The CROWN of CHRIST - Understanding the Times in the Light of Scripture |
| PRESBYTERY - God's plan for Church government is found in the Bible. |
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| GOD’S GOVERNMENT For God’s Church |
Many if not most Christians doubt that the Bible lays out one right way for
God’s Church to be governed. Some fear that Presbyterianism is a form of
unbiblical tyranny similar to the hierarchical rule of popish Bishops and
Archbishops. What does the Bible actually say?
GOD’S WAY
God is the source of the government for His visible Church. He has not
left us to make up our own way to rule it. (1 Cor 11:28 ) God’s way is
found in the Bible, and we are not allowed to add to it or subtract from it.
For example, civil rulers are forbidden to oppose the True Church , and
instead they are commanded to nurture it. (Is 49:23)
God’s Church to be governed. Some fear that Presbyterianism is a form of
unbiblical tyranny similar to the hierarchical rule of popish Bishops and
Archbishops. What does the Bible actually say?
GOD’S WAY
God is the source of the government for His visible Church. He has not
left us to make up our own way to rule it. (1 Cor 11:28 ) God’s way is
found in the Bible, and we are not allowed to add to it or subtract from it.
For example, civil rulers are forbidden to oppose the True Church , and
instead they are commanded to nurture it. (Is 49:23)
There are five ways that God tells us what He wants. The first is common sense, which is a weak
foundation. Because we are created in God’s image, we are able to see some basic facts. But because
we are so sinful, we tend to twist the truth. (Ps 19:1&2, Rom 1) When it comes to Church government,
common sense tells us that some authority is needed, that someone must judge when believers
disagree, and that parties to a dispute should have the right of appeal, etc. (1 Cor 5:1, 11:13-15, 14:7-
11, 34&35)
The second method to learn God’s way is to look at the good examples of God, Christ the God-man and
the righteous people described in the Bible. The good things that they did should be examples to us.
(Jn 3:14 , 1 Thess 2:14 ) We must be careful, however, because the Bible gives some examples of evil
behavior or unique events that we are not allowed to copy. (Lk 9:25-27)
The third method to find God’s way is to see what He commends or rewards. We can be sure that it is
good to do the things that He blesses. (1 Sam 13:12-14, 2 Sam 6:6&7, 2 Chron 26:16ff.)
The fourth test of God’s way is to look for the activities that He has set up Himself for us to follow.
The Sabbath is an example of this. (Gen 2:2&3) Also consider Jesus’ baptism which is an example to
us. All three Persons of the One God have set up Presbyters as the rulers of His Church. (1 Cor 12:28 ,
Eph 4:7,11,12, Acts 20:28 )
The last method is the most important. The Bible includes actual commands for us to obey. Some of
God’s laws are clear foundations like the ten commandments. Others are God-given applications of the
commands. Still others are practical guidelines inferred by Church leaders from the Bible. For
example, Paul gives rules about divorce and the Synod of Antioch regulated some cultural issues. (1 Cor
7:12 , 14:37 , Acts 15)
CHURCH GOVERNMENT
Like any government, Church government involves both power and authority. King Jesus is the
only Head of the Church, and He has appointed Presbyters and lay elders to rule over it as His servants.
(2 Cor 10:8, 13:10 ) No politician or Pope has any right to tell the Church how to function. (Is 49:23, Mt
28:18-20, 1 Tim 5:17 , Mt 18:17 -18, 1 Cor 5:2&3)
Church government is different from other governments in six ways. First, the Holy Scriptures are a
complete guide for the Church. Human wisdom is not allowed to be the basis for her practices. (Heb 3:
1-6, 2 Tim 3:16&17, 1 Tim 3:14&15)
Second, many Bible verses make it clear that Jesus is the Ruler, Law-giver and Judge of His Church.
Third, Church power is spiritual, not physical. It is not a power that men have by brute force.
Congregations hold elections, but only Christ can give authority to Church leaders. Presbyters are
Christ’s gift to His Church, not the congregation’s gift to itself. (Acts 13:1-3, Is 49:23, Eph 4:7-11)
Fourth, God sets up specific doctrines, practices and discipline for the Church. These are found in
the Bible.
Fifth, Church government has the direct goal of building up believers, training them to be faithful
and mature Christians. (2 Cor 10:8, 13:10 , 1 Cor 5:4&5, 1 Tim 1:20 , etc.)
Sixth, the Church has immunity from control by the civil government. Politicians can’t take over
the internal affairs of the Church, but they do have external power to defend and support it, even to
confront and reform it. (Rom 13, Is 60:10&16, Ex 32, Josh 24, 2 Chron 29:5,24)
Authority to rule the Church is not given to whole local congregations, but to officers who preach,
ordain, discipline and excommunicate. (1 Cor 12:28 ) God has only given three offices to His Church:
Pastor, Lay Ruler and Deacon. (Eph 4:8,11, Rom 12:6-8, 1 Tim 5:17, Acts 6:1-3, Phil 1:1, 1 Tim 3:8ff.)
Church officers are the stewards of God. (2 Cor 10:8, Heb 13:17 ) Each pastor is given the right to
preach and offer the sacraments (Mt 28:19, 1 Cor 11:24 &25), but authority to rule is shared by elders
in local sessions, presbyteries and synods. (Mt 8:18 , 1 Tim 4:14 )
Local sessions (elder boards) in each congregation are needed. Even common sense tells us this.
(Ex 18:22 ,26) Christ set up His Church in the pattern of the Synagogue. (Mt 18:15-21, cf. Ex 24:1, 2
Chron 19:8, Ezra 6:16&14, Lk 22:66, Acts 13:15 , 22:5) The Apostles also practiced sessional rule. (Rom
16:5) The local Church is the Church – a drop of water is water, but so is the whole ocean.
The Bible uses the word “presbytery” in plural form to refer to courts of Presbyters that govern by
consensus. (Acts 11:30) In the New Testament, all of the Christians in a large city are said to be
members of one Church (in the singular). This is true of the Church at Jerusalem (Acts 11:22), the
Church at Antioch (Acts 13:1), the Church at Ephesus (Acts 20:17,28) and the Church at Corinth (1 Cor
1:1, 2 Cor 1:1). Yet these Churches must have been Presbyteries that included many congregations.
The New Testament big city Churches had many believers (Acts 21:20, 11:24) speaking many
languages (Acts 2:5,8-12, 1 Cor 14:2-27) taught by many pastors (Acts 11:20,22-24,27&28). Yet they
met in small meeting places. (Acts 1:12-14, 2:46, 12:12, Col 4:15, Philemon 2) So there were obviously
many congregations under the authority of one city-wide or regional presbytery. (Acts 4:35-37, 6:2-6,
13:1-3, ch. 15)
The example of Apostolic Church government wouldn’t be in the Bible unless it was meant for us to
follow. (1 Cor 11:1, Philippians 4:9) Synods are simply broader courts that include two or more
presbyteries. They decide questions that trouble the whole Church. (Acts chs. 15&16)
God wants Church members to have the right to appeal to a broader court if they must. This is just
common sense, and it can be seen in the Jewish Church government (Deut 17:8,12), in Christ’s
instructions for progressive discipline (Mt 18:17-18) and in the example of the Apostles. (Acts 15)
God’s Church should be governed as God has instructed. There is no Biblical basis for prelacy, with
pastors ruling over pastors, or independency, which makes the local pastor a local pope.
This is a summary of Jus Divinum Regiminus Ecclesiastici (The Divine Right of Church Government) by
sundry ministers of Sion College, London (1646)
foundation. Because we are created in God’s image, we are able to see some basic facts. But because
we are so sinful, we tend to twist the truth. (Ps 19:1&2, Rom 1) When it comes to Church government,
common sense tells us that some authority is needed, that someone must judge when believers
disagree, and that parties to a dispute should have the right of appeal, etc. (1 Cor 5:1, 11:13-15, 14:7-
11, 34&35)
The second method to learn God’s way is to look at the good examples of God, Christ the God-man and
the righteous people described in the Bible. The good things that they did should be examples to us.
(Jn 3:14 , 1 Thess 2:14 ) We must be careful, however, because the Bible gives some examples of evil
behavior or unique events that we are not allowed to copy. (Lk 9:25-27)
The third method to find God’s way is to see what He commends or rewards. We can be sure that it is
good to do the things that He blesses. (1 Sam 13:12-14, 2 Sam 6:6&7, 2 Chron 26:16ff.)
The fourth test of God’s way is to look for the activities that He has set up Himself for us to follow.
The Sabbath is an example of this. (Gen 2:2&3) Also consider Jesus’ baptism which is an example to
us. All three Persons of the One God have set up Presbyters as the rulers of His Church. (1 Cor 12:28 ,
Eph 4:7,11,12, Acts 20:28 )
The last method is the most important. The Bible includes actual commands for us to obey. Some of
God’s laws are clear foundations like the ten commandments. Others are God-given applications of the
commands. Still others are practical guidelines inferred by Church leaders from the Bible. For
example, Paul gives rules about divorce and the Synod of Antioch regulated some cultural issues. (1 Cor
7:12 , 14:37 , Acts 15)
CHURCH GOVERNMENT
Like any government, Church government involves both power and authority. King Jesus is the
only Head of the Church, and He has appointed Presbyters and lay elders to rule over it as His servants.
(2 Cor 10:8, 13:10 ) No politician or Pope has any right to tell the Church how to function. (Is 49:23, Mt
28:18-20, 1 Tim 5:17 , Mt 18:17 -18, 1 Cor 5:2&3)
Church government is different from other governments in six ways. First, the Holy Scriptures are a
complete guide for the Church. Human wisdom is not allowed to be the basis for her practices. (Heb 3:
1-6, 2 Tim 3:16&17, 1 Tim 3:14&15)
Second, many Bible verses make it clear that Jesus is the Ruler, Law-giver and Judge of His Church.
Third, Church power is spiritual, not physical. It is not a power that men have by brute force.
Congregations hold elections, but only Christ can give authority to Church leaders. Presbyters are
Christ’s gift to His Church, not the congregation’s gift to itself. (Acts 13:1-3, Is 49:23, Eph 4:7-11)
Fourth, God sets up specific doctrines, practices and discipline for the Church. These are found in
the Bible.
Fifth, Church government has the direct goal of building up believers, training them to be faithful
and mature Christians. (2 Cor 10:8, 13:10 , 1 Cor 5:4&5, 1 Tim 1:20 , etc.)
Sixth, the Church has immunity from control by the civil government. Politicians can’t take over
the internal affairs of the Church, but they do have external power to defend and support it, even to
confront and reform it. (Rom 13, Is 60:10&16, Ex 32, Josh 24, 2 Chron 29:5,24)
Authority to rule the Church is not given to whole local congregations, but to officers who preach,
ordain, discipline and excommunicate. (1 Cor 12:28 ) God has only given three offices to His Church:
Pastor, Lay Ruler and Deacon. (Eph 4:8,11, Rom 12:6-8, 1 Tim 5:17, Acts 6:1-3, Phil 1:1, 1 Tim 3:8ff.)
Church officers are the stewards of God. (2 Cor 10:8, Heb 13:17 ) Each pastor is given the right to
preach and offer the sacraments (Mt 28:19, 1 Cor 11:24 &25), but authority to rule is shared by elders
in local sessions, presbyteries and synods. (Mt 8:18 , 1 Tim 4:14 )
Local sessions (elder boards) in each congregation are needed. Even common sense tells us this.
(Ex 18:22 ,26) Christ set up His Church in the pattern of the Synagogue. (Mt 18:15-21, cf. Ex 24:1, 2
Chron 19:8, Ezra 6:16&14, Lk 22:66, Acts 13:15 , 22:5) The Apostles also practiced sessional rule. (Rom
16:5) The local Church is the Church – a drop of water is water, but so is the whole ocean.
The Bible uses the word “presbytery” in plural form to refer to courts of Presbyters that govern by
consensus. (Acts 11:30) In the New Testament, all of the Christians in a large city are said to be
members of one Church (in the singular). This is true of the Church at Jerusalem (Acts 11:22), the
Church at Antioch (Acts 13:1), the Church at Ephesus (Acts 20:17,28) and the Church at Corinth (1 Cor
1:1, 2 Cor 1:1). Yet these Churches must have been Presbyteries that included many congregations.
The New Testament big city Churches had many believers (Acts 21:20, 11:24) speaking many
languages (Acts 2:5,8-12, 1 Cor 14:2-27) taught by many pastors (Acts 11:20,22-24,27&28). Yet they
met in small meeting places. (Acts 1:12-14, 2:46, 12:12, Col 4:15, Philemon 2) So there were obviously
many congregations under the authority of one city-wide or regional presbytery. (Acts 4:35-37, 6:2-6,
13:1-3, ch. 15)
The example of Apostolic Church government wouldn’t be in the Bible unless it was meant for us to
follow. (1 Cor 11:1, Philippians 4:9) Synods are simply broader courts that include two or more
presbyteries. They decide questions that trouble the whole Church. (Acts chs. 15&16)
God wants Church members to have the right to appeal to a broader court if they must. This is just
common sense, and it can be seen in the Jewish Church government (Deut 17:8,12), in Christ’s
instructions for progressive discipline (Mt 18:17-18) and in the example of the Apostles. (Acts 15)
God’s Church should be governed as God has instructed. There is no Biblical basis for prelacy, with
pastors ruling over pastors, or independency, which makes the local pastor a local pope.
This is a summary of Jus Divinum Regiminus Ecclesiastici (The Divine Right of Church Government) by
sundry ministers of Sion College, London (1646)
| It’s HEALTHY to be HARSH with HERETICS |
Religious people disagree about many things. They seem to have contradictory notions of who God is,
how He should be worshipped and how people should live in this world. They only agree on one thing:
that all men have “freedom of conscience”, so it is good to be “tolerant” of all churches, religions,
sects and cults.
It is natural that most Christians fall for this idea of religious pluralism. It sounds so polite and
wise compared to the alternative of having civil laws against religious error. But perhaps we should
take a second look at this issue, because the most Biblical theologians and politicians of the past
disagree with our modern system. They taught that the government is God’s servant to enforce His
laws.
Let’s be blunt: should the government strictly enforce its own man-made laws, but ignore the laws
of God? Should the authorities punish murderers and thieves, but protect false teachers who steal
God’s glory and butcher the souls of men? It is right for our politicians to ignore the first four
commandments – as if men have rights but God doesn’t?
The Bible says a loud NO to all of these questions, teaching instead that Christian rulers ought to
punish evil men who teach lies (heretics) and also those who cause unnecessary division (schismatics).
The 3 Positions
One extreme view of this issue has been held by the Popish “Church” of Rome. They now claim that
they are against the death penalty, but Papists historically taught that all of their enemies should be
burned alive. The other extreme is taught my most people today. They assume that the government
can’t ever use any force to punish religious errors.
The middle view is that a godly government should use force to stop the spread of heresy and
schism. The amount of force should fit the seriousness of the error. This was the opinion of ancient
Christians and of all the Churches of the Protestant Reformation.
The Bible Speaks
According to God’s Word, it is a crime deserving the death penalty to ask your neighbors to worship a
false God. (Ex 22:20 , Deut 13:6-9, 17:2-5) God also requires capital punishment for blasphemy and
breaking His Sabbath. (Lev 24:16, Ex 31:14)
Modern people will ask, “Why do these Old Testament laws apply to us today?” The answer is
simple. These laws apply because they are criminal laws that deal with universal problems faced by
every nation. Only the ceremonial laws of Israel , which pointed to Jesus, were abolished when He
came.
Politicians are not supposed to be “public servants”, but God’s servants. Shouldn’t they do what
He wants? (Rom 13:4, Deut 1:7, 2 Chron 19:6) Jesus made it clear that He didn’t come to do away
with the Old Testament laws. (Mt 5:17) Jesus is the Creator who gave the laws, and God doesn’t
change. He hates idolatry, blasphemy and Sabbath-breaking now as much as ever. If anything, it is
more dangerous to disobey Him now that He has revealed Himself more clearly! (Heb 10:28&29)
All Christians should learn from the whole Bible and honor God in all that they do. (Rom 15:4, 1 Cor
10:31 ) Can a Christian politician read what God has specifically said about politics and law, and then
honor God by doing the will of the people?
The Bible gives Examples
Moses used force against idol-worshippers. (Ex 32:27) The Israelites attacked their own cousins for
setting up false worship. (Joshua 22:12) Elijah supported the death penalty for the priests of Baal. (1
Kg 10:11, 24) Asa, Jehu and Josiah executed the advocates of idolatry. (2 Kg 10:11-24, 23:20 , 2
Chron 15:13) Even the heathen king Nebuchadnezzar condemned blasphemers to death. (Dan 3:29)
Some religious errors were less serious, and so they were punished with less than death. Moses
forced the Israelites to drink the power of the pulverized golden calf. They got to see their “god”
come out with their bowel movements! (Ex 32:20) Queen Maachah lost her throne because of her
false worship, Eliashib was “defrocked” for marrying an unbeliever, and Ezra forced God’s people to
obey all of God’s laws. (1 Kg 15:13, Neh 13:28&29, Ezra 7:25 -27, 10:3-8)
Josiah made a distinction between idolaters who actually worshipped false gods, and corrupters who
worshipped the true God in unauthorized ways. The first were put to death, but the second were
only demoted. (2 Chron 14:3-5, 15:17, 33:17, 2 Kg 23, Ezek 44:10-14)
Rulers serve God
Politicians, as God’s servants, are supposed to punish evil. (Rom 13:4) Isn’t heresy evil? Isn’t schism
evil? Modern people think like Thomas Jefferson: it can’t hurt me if my neighbor worships a hundred
gods or none at all – as long as he doesn’t pick my pocket or break my leg.
Is that correct? Do my body and my money matter so much, but my soul matter not at all? Should the
police harass drug dealers but protect those who sell satanic lies to ruin our nation? If I abandon my
wife to live on skid row with the prostitutes, I will have to pay alimony and child support, and may be
charged for soliciting. But if I abandon God’s Church for some cult or false church, that’s my right?
The Bible calls heretics and schismatics wolves, thieves, robbers, trouble-makers and spreaders of
cancer! (Mt 7:15, Jn 10:8, Acts 15:24 , 20:29 , Gal 5:9-12, 2 Tim 2:17) If Arab terrorists come to this
country to spread some virus that will kill our bodies, our leaders will stop them by any means
necessary. But if the same infidels come to spread Mohammedan lies that will send our souls to hell,
our leaders will welcome them with open arms.
Weeds & Wheat
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable of the weeds that grow in the wheat field. It is impossible to
tell the weeds from the wheat, so our Lord tells the farmers to hold off pulling any of the plants.
Some people say that this means the government can’t stop spiritual errors.
Ridiculous! The weeds represent all wicked unbelievers (vv. 38 & 41), including murderers and
thieves. Should the government allow people to commit those crimes? The parable is about church
leaders. Elders can’t see people’s hearts, so they must hold off on judgment until they can clearly
see the difference between the weeds and the wheat. (v. 29 compare 2 Kg 10:23)
Civility & Moralism
Another objection is that religious laws force people to be hypocrites. But all laws do that. It is not
the job of judges and police to change our hearts. Their job is to make society safe by suppressing
crime. No law can make my neighbor love me. It is enough that he respects my life and property.
{Only God can see his heart or change it.}
The Bible is clear that hypocrisy will result from any mandatory law, yet laws are necessary to restrain
outward behaviors. (2 Chron 34:32, Jer 3:6-10) The only way to end public hypocrisy would be to
legalize everything!
Personal Beliefs
Some argue that a man can’t be blamed for his beliefs. He has no choice but to believe whatever
seems most true to him. But this misses the point already made that civil laws restrict behavior, not
thoughts. The government can’t stop the evil thoughts of heretics. But they can stop them when
they go about spreading satanic literature and preaching lies. The state can’t make you love the
Sabbath, but they can make you close your stores that day!
If we have a basic right to believe error, it must be unjust for God to send unbelievers to hell.
Fallen men are born dead in sin, unable to please God. Without the work of God the Holy Spirit, they
can’t see the truth! (Jn 8:43 , 14:17 , 1 Cor 1:14 ) Yet God makes them answer to His perfect Law
whether they “understand” it or not!
Mistakes might Happen
People worry that a Christian government might make mistakes and hurt true believers. This concern
would get rid of all authority. Parents, pastors, police, and politicians all make mistakes. Should we
abolish them all?
Some also claim that if they obey a law with which they don’t agree, they will be forced to disobey
their conscience, which is always a sin. True. But it is better to obey God’s actual law and sin against
your mistaken feelings than to obey yourself and sin against God! Repent of your heretical notions,
and your troubled conscience will be freed.
Strong Medicine
Sometimes the remedy that will really cure us is hard to go through. The medicine tastes nasty, but it
is best for us. We must be careful in how we cut out the cancers of error from our society.
Some people are peaceful citizens who have been confused by all the idolatry and humanism of our
day. They should not be punished as harshly as the pushy sectarian leaders who devote their lives to
the spread of lies.
There is also a big difference between missions and reformation. We should never use force to
convert heathen lands to Christ. But our lands are backslidden, not heathen. They should be called
back to the Solemn League and Covenant – and compelled to obey the Biblical Religion. Israel didn’t
send armies to force Egypt or Persia to convert. But foreigners who lived in Israel had to obey the
laws, including the “religious” laws. (Ex 20:10 , Neh 13:16 )
The Faith described in the Westminster Confession is the Biblical Faith. England, Scotland and
Ireland promised God that they would be faithful to Him. It is a sin to ignore the Truth and “tolerate”
lies.
This topic is discussed at greater length in Wholesome Severity reconciled with Christian Liberty, by
Pastor George Gillespie.
how He should be worshipped and how people should live in this world. They only agree on one thing:
that all men have “freedom of conscience”, so it is good to be “tolerant” of all churches, religions,
sects and cults.
It is natural that most Christians fall for this idea of religious pluralism. It sounds so polite and
wise compared to the alternative of having civil laws against religious error. But perhaps we should
take a second look at this issue, because the most Biblical theologians and politicians of the past
disagree with our modern system. They taught that the government is God’s servant to enforce His
laws.
Let’s be blunt: should the government strictly enforce its own man-made laws, but ignore the laws
of God? Should the authorities punish murderers and thieves, but protect false teachers who steal
God’s glory and butcher the souls of men? It is right for our politicians to ignore the first four
commandments – as if men have rights but God doesn’t?
The Bible says a loud NO to all of these questions, teaching instead that Christian rulers ought to
punish evil men who teach lies (heretics) and also those who cause unnecessary division (schismatics).
The 3 Positions
One extreme view of this issue has been held by the Popish “Church” of Rome. They now claim that
they are against the death penalty, but Papists historically taught that all of their enemies should be
burned alive. The other extreme is taught my most people today. They assume that the government
can’t ever use any force to punish religious errors.
The middle view is that a godly government should use force to stop the spread of heresy and
schism. The amount of force should fit the seriousness of the error. This was the opinion of ancient
Christians and of all the Churches of the Protestant Reformation.
The Bible Speaks
According to God’s Word, it is a crime deserving the death penalty to ask your neighbors to worship a
false God. (Ex 22:20 , Deut 13:6-9, 17:2-5) God also requires capital punishment for blasphemy and
breaking His Sabbath. (Lev 24:16, Ex 31:14)
Modern people will ask, “Why do these Old Testament laws apply to us today?” The answer is
simple. These laws apply because they are criminal laws that deal with universal problems faced by
every nation. Only the ceremonial laws of Israel , which pointed to Jesus, were abolished when He
came.
Politicians are not supposed to be “public servants”, but God’s servants. Shouldn’t they do what
He wants? (Rom 13:4, Deut 1:7, 2 Chron 19:6) Jesus made it clear that He didn’t come to do away
with the Old Testament laws. (Mt 5:17) Jesus is the Creator who gave the laws, and God doesn’t
change. He hates idolatry, blasphemy and Sabbath-breaking now as much as ever. If anything, it is
more dangerous to disobey Him now that He has revealed Himself more clearly! (Heb 10:28&29)
All Christians should learn from the whole Bible and honor God in all that they do. (Rom 15:4, 1 Cor
10:31 ) Can a Christian politician read what God has specifically said about politics and law, and then
honor God by doing the will of the people?
The Bible gives Examples
Moses used force against idol-worshippers. (Ex 32:27) The Israelites attacked their own cousins for
setting up false worship. (Joshua 22:12) Elijah supported the death penalty for the priests of Baal. (1
Kg 10:11, 24) Asa, Jehu and Josiah executed the advocates of idolatry. (2 Kg 10:11-24, 23:20 , 2
Chron 15:13) Even the heathen king Nebuchadnezzar condemned blasphemers to death. (Dan 3:29)
Some religious errors were less serious, and so they were punished with less than death. Moses
forced the Israelites to drink the power of the pulverized golden calf. They got to see their “god”
come out with their bowel movements! (Ex 32:20) Queen Maachah lost her throne because of her
false worship, Eliashib was “defrocked” for marrying an unbeliever, and Ezra forced God’s people to
obey all of God’s laws. (1 Kg 15:13, Neh 13:28&29, Ezra 7:25 -27, 10:3-8)
Josiah made a distinction between idolaters who actually worshipped false gods, and corrupters who
worshipped the true God in unauthorized ways. The first were put to death, but the second were
only demoted. (2 Chron 14:3-5, 15:17, 33:17, 2 Kg 23, Ezek 44:10-14)
Rulers serve God
Politicians, as God’s servants, are supposed to punish evil. (Rom 13:4) Isn’t heresy evil? Isn’t schism
evil? Modern people think like Thomas Jefferson: it can’t hurt me if my neighbor worships a hundred
gods or none at all – as long as he doesn’t pick my pocket or break my leg.
Is that correct? Do my body and my money matter so much, but my soul matter not at all? Should the
police harass drug dealers but protect those who sell satanic lies to ruin our nation? If I abandon my
wife to live on skid row with the prostitutes, I will have to pay alimony and child support, and may be
charged for soliciting. But if I abandon God’s Church for some cult or false church, that’s my right?
The Bible calls heretics and schismatics wolves, thieves, robbers, trouble-makers and spreaders of
cancer! (Mt 7:15, Jn 10:8, Acts 15:24 , 20:29 , Gal 5:9-12, 2 Tim 2:17) If Arab terrorists come to this
country to spread some virus that will kill our bodies, our leaders will stop them by any means
necessary. But if the same infidels come to spread Mohammedan lies that will send our souls to hell,
our leaders will welcome them with open arms.
Weeds & Wheat
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable of the weeds that grow in the wheat field. It is impossible to
tell the weeds from the wheat, so our Lord tells the farmers to hold off pulling any of the plants.
Some people say that this means the government can’t stop spiritual errors.
Ridiculous! The weeds represent all wicked unbelievers (vv. 38 & 41), including murderers and
thieves. Should the government allow people to commit those crimes? The parable is about church
leaders. Elders can’t see people’s hearts, so they must hold off on judgment until they can clearly
see the difference between the weeds and the wheat. (v. 29 compare 2 Kg 10:23)
Civility & Moralism
Another objection is that religious laws force people to be hypocrites. But all laws do that. It is not
the job of judges and police to change our hearts. Their job is to make society safe by suppressing
crime. No law can make my neighbor love me. It is enough that he respects my life and property.
{Only God can see his heart or change it.}
The Bible is clear that hypocrisy will result from any mandatory law, yet laws are necessary to restrain
outward behaviors. (2 Chron 34:32, Jer 3:6-10) The only way to end public hypocrisy would be to
legalize everything!
Personal Beliefs
Some argue that a man can’t be blamed for his beliefs. He has no choice but to believe whatever
seems most true to him. But this misses the point already made that civil laws restrict behavior, not
thoughts. The government can’t stop the evil thoughts of heretics. But they can stop them when
they go about spreading satanic literature and preaching lies. The state can’t make you love the
Sabbath, but they can make you close your stores that day!
If we have a basic right to believe error, it must be unjust for God to send unbelievers to hell.
Fallen men are born dead in sin, unable to please God. Without the work of God the Holy Spirit, they
can’t see the truth! (Jn 8:43 , 14:17 , 1 Cor 1:14 ) Yet God makes them answer to His perfect Law
whether they “understand” it or not!
Mistakes might Happen
People worry that a Christian government might make mistakes and hurt true believers. This concern
would get rid of all authority. Parents, pastors, police, and politicians all make mistakes. Should we
abolish them all?
Some also claim that if they obey a law with which they don’t agree, they will be forced to disobey
their conscience, which is always a sin. True. But it is better to obey God’s actual law and sin against
your mistaken feelings than to obey yourself and sin against God! Repent of your heretical notions,
and your troubled conscience will be freed.
Strong Medicine
Sometimes the remedy that will really cure us is hard to go through. The medicine tastes nasty, but it
is best for us. We must be careful in how we cut out the cancers of error from our society.
Some people are peaceful citizens who have been confused by all the idolatry and humanism of our
day. They should not be punished as harshly as the pushy sectarian leaders who devote their lives to
the spread of lies.
There is also a big difference between missions and reformation. We should never use force to
convert heathen lands to Christ. But our lands are backslidden, not heathen. They should be called
back to the Solemn League and Covenant – and compelled to obey the Biblical Religion. Israel didn’t
send armies to force Egypt or Persia to convert. But foreigners who lived in Israel had to obey the
laws, including the “religious” laws. (Ex 20:10 , Neh 13:16 )
The Faith described in the Westminster Confession is the Biblical Faith. England, Scotland and
Ireland promised God that they would be faithful to Him. It is a sin to ignore the Truth and “tolerate”
lies.
This topic is discussed at greater length in Wholesome Severity reconciled with Christian Liberty, by
Pastor George Gillespie.