forwarded from my Dad.

----- Original Message -----
From: "ScanThisNews" <mcdonalds@...>
To: "ScanThisNews Recipients List" <scan@...>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2000 10:23 AM
Subject: [FP] FW: Romans 13 - YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS


======================================================================
SCAN THIS NEWS
6.17.2000

[PART I]

Romans 13 - YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS

Each year millions of Americans submit tax returns, along with a check, as
their "tithe" or "tribute" to the state. On each of these tax forms and
checks, these same people will identify themselves with a Social Security
Number. Many, perhaps most, will also "claim" their children for a tax
deduction; done by their supplying a unique serialization number which has
been assigned to the children. This number will also be dutifully inscribed
upon the state forms.

Most of these "tax payers" will also claim a "rebate" from the state for the
monies they have paid to their tax-exempt churches, monies they call their
"tithe to God."

How do these actions comport with God's Word?

The Social Security number is the link which identifies associates tax
payers with the amount of treasure each has lain up over the years in the
state's Social Security System.

Does God honor these actions? What does the Bible really teach about paying
taxes and "tribute" to Caesar (the state)? More particularly, what did Jesus
teach on these subjects?

Jesus spoke in parables for a reason; so that only "those with ears to hear"
would understand what He was really saying. Those with "ears to hear" can
discern what Jesus truly taught about the payment of taxes.

Perhaps the best starting point, towards acquiring understanding, is the
following passage:

"Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And
they began to accuse him, saying, 'We have found this man
subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar
and claims to be Christ, a king.'"

Few people know where in the Bible the preceding passage is found. It is, of
course, Luke, 23:1-2. This is where Jesus is "charged" with commiting crimes
against the State (Caesar).

Could it be that a proper understanding of this passage, when properly
understood, conflicts with the "state approved" doctrine (i.e., the doctrine
with which all tax-exempt churches must comply)? What if Jesus really did
teach against paying taxes (tribute) to an ungodly state, claiming itself to
be god? Could tax exempt churches get away with teaching this "truth" and
still continue to enjoy their tax-exempt status? Of course not.

According to the above passage from Luke, Jesus was charged specifically
with two things: (1) opposing payment of taxes to Caesar; and, (2) claiming
to be Christ, a king. Are these two charges true? Did Jesus teach against
paying taxes AND claim to be king?

Luke 23:3 goes on to tell us:

"So Pilate asked Jesus, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' 'Yes,
it is as you say,' Jesus replied."

Unfortunately, many churches arbitrarily teach that ONE of the two charges
is TRUE, (i.e., that Jesus IS the King of Kings as charged), but reject the
other accusation (that Jesus taught against paying taxes to Caesar) as a
"false charge". This clearly an arbitrary division-for-convenience which is
simply not borne out in scripture.

PAYING TAXES TO CAESAR

The immediate question then becomes: Did Jesus teach against paying taxes to
Caesar as charged?

The Bible tells us:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But
store up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... . For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also. ... 'No one can serve
two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or
he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot
serve both God and Money. (Matt 6:19-24)

The Social Security and tax System represent worship of mammon (money) as
described above. The "System" becomes a substitute for faith (that God will
provide for all our needs). Simply put, people get numbers for themselves
and their children because failing to do so will cost them money and put
them in disfavor with the state.

There is a false teaching that numbering God's children is "good stewardship
," when in fact doing so is an abomination to God.

God's People are admonished to refuse to be numbered by government. Perhaps
the best such example involves that of King David who wanted to "know the
number of the People" under his authority. (2 Samuel 24:2). As the Bible
notes, Satan caused David to number all the people of Israel. (1 Chronicles
21:1). God's Word further states that David's command "was evil in the sight
of God." (1 Chronicles 21:7). And because the people acquiesced to the
enumeration plan, God sent a plague upon them, the people (1 Chronicles
21:14).

There are also other references in the Bible to "numbering" people, but an
important distinction must be made in the different types of numbering
discussed. For example, soldiers were counted (numbered), but they were
accounted for "by their name" (Numbers 1:19-23). And, there were censuses
taken (numbering) of the non-citizen (alien) population for the purpose of
establishing the amount of tax to be levied upon them (2 Chronicles 2:17).

These examples do not represent "numbering" or "registering" of God's People
(the citizens) contrasted with the forbiden "numbering" described in 1
Chronicles 21:1 and 2 Samuel 24:2 which resulted in God's punishment being
brought upon the people.

The "People" once again face new demands from the modern-day "kings" to be
numbered and registered. Again, it is the responsibility and duty of the
People to resist -- regardless of how powerful or "godly" the
contemporaneous ruling authority claims or appears to be, and regardless of
the apparent sincerity of their justifications. For it is God's People who
will be held accountable if they do not comply with God's Word.

Now, as before, Satan has deceived and mislead political leaders and has
provided them with ample causes, excuses, and justifications for numbering
the citizens. Having believed the lie, these present-day leaders now promote
their new numbering schemes; which, they assure us, will collectively "cure
all the world's problems," including everything from health care, to
unemployment, to retirement, to housing, to education, to clothing, to
nourishment, and on and on.

Satan plans and intends to number ALL people of the world. His "plan" is
revealed in the Book of Revelation at chapter 13 where we are instructed
that at the time of the "end of the world" there will be a "Beast" which
will do great wonders and will cause all to receive a "mark" or a "number"
symbolizing their respect, fear or worship of the "Beast." According to
Daniel, this "beast" is a "king," which in our modern-day world is a
government system or a world dictator (Daniel 7:17-23, Rev. 19:19).
Therefore, it will be a government "authority" which will cause all to
receive the "mark" or "number" which the people must have in order to buy or
sell (Rev. 13:16-18). However, acceptance of the "mark" will constitute
"worship" of the beast and will signify fear and respect owing to the issuer
of the "mark" -- i.e., the Beast and his System. This Beast System will be
accomplished through great deception. The only ones who will excape are
those who, in adherance to God's Word, steadfastly refuse to be numbered.

The most stern warning in all the Bible is found in Revelation 14, and it is
directed TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO ACCEPT THE MARK OF THE BEAST, OR THE BEAST'S
NUMBER, AND CONSEQUENTLY "WORSHIP" HIS IMAGE:

"And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice,
If any man worshippeth the beast and his image, and receiveth a mark on
his forehead, or upon his hand,

"he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared
unmixed in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and
brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the
Lamb:

"and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever; and they have
no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and
whoso receiveth the mark of his name." (Rev. 14:9-11).

The Bible tells us that those who worship the beast -- and his image WILL
receive the "mark of the beast. No one will be forced to receive the mark;
those who receive it will do so willingly. This is not unlike "voluntary"
tax-filing and reporting.

Revelation 13 says the beast "requires" all to receive his identifying mark.
Those who DO NOT willingly take it will be outcasts from society, they will
not be able to "buy or sell," nor participate in all other normal societal
activity. Accepting the "mark" IS evidence of one's worshiping of the "beast
system" and of his image. Accepting the mark is, therefore, evidence of
one's beast (system) worship. The "mark" identifies the recipient as one who
honors the beast and fears it more than God. Those who accept it fear the
issuer (state) more than they fear God. These are the ones who look to the
issuer (beast/state) to provide for all of their needs (welfare state) and
protection (police state). These will find good favor with the beast (state)
in the form of such things as tax rebates and credits. Today, the majority
of society wants the state to take care of them -- they worship the state
more than God; even to the extent of numbering their children in clear
violation of God's Word! They try to honor two masters!

Title 42 of the United States Code, at section 666 requires that no one may
be allowed to obtain any license to drive, operate a business, engage in any
professional licensed occupation, hunt or fish, engage in licensed
recreational activity, get married, get divorced, or even die (all of these
are found in 42USC666) unless they identify themselves with the Welfare
System by using their SSN. Display of this single little number is the
condition upon which all of these licensed activities and functions are
conditioned.

Another law requires every employer in every state to report the name,
address, salary (or wage) -- and social security number -- of every newly
hired employee to a central database called the Federal Registry of
Newhires. Eventually, under this federal program, no company will be allowed
to hire a new worker until they first receive "approval" from the
government. This level of control is again accomplished by use of Social
Security numbers.

Under these currently-in-place laws we have three options: a) identify
ourself with the number whenever it's requested and function normally in
society; () don't identify with the number and don't do any of the above; or
c) don't identify with the number and engage in those activities in
violation of section 666 and other laws.

The abominable Social Security System also includes the promise of
"security" in association with compliance and participation. The System
promises future returns for the beneficiary's present "sacrifices." Few
realize the true extent of the "sacrifice" they are making. Can we have
both, a future "heavenly reward" for our godly stewardship and an "earthly
reward" provided to us by the earthly king, the state? No. For, where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also!

Consider Jesus' words in light of the truth that we cannot serve two
masters:

"'Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes
to Caesar or not?' But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said,
'You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin
used for paying the tax.' They brought him a denarius, and he
asked them, 'Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?'
'Caesar's,' they replied. Then he said to them, 'Give to Caesar
what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.' When they heard this,
they were amazed. So they left him and went away." (Matt 22:17-22)

The same account is also recorded in Luke:

"The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to
arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable
against them. But they were afraid of the people. Keeping a close
watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They
hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand
him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies
questioned him: 'Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is
right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God
in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to
Caesar or not?' He saw through their duplicity and said to them,
'Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?'
'Caesar's,' they replied. He said to them, 'Then give to Caesar
what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.' They were unable to
trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by
his answer, they became silent." (Luke 20:19-26)

Jesus had just finished speaking AGAINST the "teachers of the law, the chief
priests, and the Pharisees!" Realizing this, they CONSPIRED and devised A
PLAN TO ENTRAP JESUS so that He could be arrested. They knew what He had
been teaching, even though Jesus spoken in parables specifically so they
could not fully understand and therefore could not accusse Him outright for
speaking against the state. The "authorities" clearly anticipated that Jesus
would respond that, under God's Law, citizens do not owe taxes to the state
(Caesar). Isn't that the CLEAR (and only) implication that can be drawn from
the above scenario? What else could the "spies" have intended?

Jesus' response, in essence, was presented in the same kind of language as
were His parables, so that only those with ears to hear would understand. In
essence Jesus' reply was: You cannot serve two masters. Pay tribute to the
one you honor, i.e., YOUR god.

What if Caesar "claimed" ownership of all that is God's alone? Would
Christians be expected to give "ALL" over to Caesar? Of course not. The
simple answer is: If Caesar is your god then pay tribute to Caesar. If God
is your God then pay your tribute to Him. You can only serve one master.

After all, to whom do the things of the earth ultimately belong? "To the
LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and
everything in it." (Deut 10:14) What does this leave for "Caesar?" Nothing.

Now consider this other most well known encounter between Jesus and tax
collectors:

"After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors
of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, 'Doesn't your
teacher pay the temple tax?' 'Yes, he does,' he replied. When Peter
came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. 'What do you think,
Simon?' he asked. 'From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty
and taxes -- from their own sons or from others?' 'From others,'
Peter answered. 'Then the sons are exempt,' Jesus said to him.
(Matt 17:24-26)

You've probably never heard this portion of the event preached in any
church. When the tax-exempt pastors teach on this subject they only cite the
passage where we are told that Jesus agreed to pay the tax. These tax-exempt
churches must teach the tax paying part or else they'll lose their
tax-exempt status.

(On a side note, it is irrelevant here as to what "form" of tax was being
collected, i.e. state tax or "temple" tax. Jesus' comment was: "From whom do
the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes...?" This implies state tax.)

Why do you suppose the question was posed to Peter in a negative tone? --
"Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" Obviously, it was anticipated
that Peter's response would be: "No, He doesn't pay the tax." Read again
what Jesus said in response to the question about payment of the tax, "the
sons are exempt."

However, we are told that Jesus went ahead and paid this tax which He had
just said He and Peter did not owe. Why would He do this?

The Bible does not tell us exactly why Jesus paid the tax, except to say
that it was so that the tax collectors would not be "offended." We know that
Peter told the tax collectors the tax would be paid. Is it possible that
both would have been arrested had they not paid the tax? Could it be that it
simply was not time for Jesus to be arrested and taken into custody? Would
Jesus "avoid" being arrested in such situation? We may not have definitive
answers to these questions, but we do have clues.

We are told that Jesus and the disciples did avoid arrest on more than one
occasion.

Look back at the earlier excerpt where Jesus was asked about the lawfulness
of paying taxes to Caesar. He said to His inquisitors: "You hypocrites, why
are you trying to trap me?" We told that, when they heard His response,
"they were amazed and they left Him and went away" -- even though their
intent had been to arrest Him! Jesus did not just come right out with the
response they obviously anticipated! He "saw through their duplicity" and
"knowing their evil intent" He answered in a way that avoided confrontation.
Yet, at the same time, He was profoundly accurate in what He said.

The answer is taht those who WILLINGLY and VOLUNTARIALLY pay tribute to
Caesar (the state), in doing so, show their true allegiance by their
actions.

There are other examples where Jesus avoided being arrested as well:

"'After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying
away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take
his life. But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near,
Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go
to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.
No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.
Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.'
For even his own brothers did not believe in him. Therefore
Jesus told them, 'The right time for me has not yet come; for
you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates
me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the
Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the
right time has not yet come.' Having said this, he stayed in
Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the Feast,
he went also, not publicly, but in secret." (John 7:1-10)

We are also told:

"But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place." (Matt 12:14)

And:

"Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians
how they might kill Jesus. Jesus withdrew with his disciples to
the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. (Mark 3:6-7)

And later, Paul tells of his experience in which he avoided arrest:

"In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the
Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a
basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands."
(2 Cor 11:32-33) See also: Josh 2:3-6, Josh 2:14-15, Josh 6:17,
James 2:25.

So, we do not know for certain why Jesus paid the tax in Matthew 17 after He
said that He and Peter did not owe it. We only know that, in that situation,
to pay it would avoid "offending" them. What would the consequence of that
"offence" have been? Arrest? Is it possible that it was done in that
particular situation to avoid being arrested? Why do you suppose Jesus said
that citizens do not owe taxes? Is there one single other example of Jesus
paying any tax? Whatever conclusion we draw, they must comport with the rest
of the teachings in the Bible.

TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS

Why does the Bible, in every instance, equate "tax collectors" with
"sinners" or prostitutes?

The disciples were asked why Jesus dined with "tax collectors and sinners."
Jesus overheard the inquiry and responded: "It is not the healthy who need a
doctor, but the SICK." See also Matt 9:10, 11:19, 18:17, 21:31-32, Mark
2:15-16, Luke 5:29-30, Luke 7:34, Luke 15:1.

The key in understanding why tax collectors were drawn to Jesus is found in
Luke 7:29-30, where we are told:

"All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus'
words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had
been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law
rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been
baptized by John."

The tax collectors realized that they were sinners because of their
profession and they repented. See also Matt 21:31-32.

BEING SUBJECT TO THE HIGHER AUTHORITIES

When would it be appropriate to pay taxes? Only when the authorities are
acting in accordance with God's Law. Who ARE the legitimate "authorities"
under God's Law? Only those officials who devote themselves to
_administering_ God's Law. There are no other authorities, and there is no
other law except that which is in accordance with God's Word and His Law.
Therefore, there is no other circumstance under which we must pay taxes
except when the authorities act in accordance with God's Word.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for
there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God." (Rom 13:1)

Does this mean that EVERY claimed "authority" which exists is established by
God? No! Simply sated, if it is not established according to God's Law, it
simply is not a legitimate authority.

"Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling
against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring
judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who
do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free
from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he
will commend you. (Rom 13:2-3)

If you are _not_ violating God's Law, the "authorities" are to leave you
alone -- period.

"For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be
afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's
servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
(Rom 13:4)

How many government figures also function as "God's servant?" If they do
not, they have no legitimate authority.

"Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not
only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's
servants, who give their full time to governing. (Rom 13:5-6)

Now we see when it is appropriate to pay taxes. It is when public officials
act as God's servants! Then taxes serve to further God's Law and His Word.

Are our modern day public officials really "God's servants," giving their
full time to administering God's Law? If not, then we are not to reward them
with our offerings in the form of taxes.

Is there any Biblical principle instructing us to number our children so
that we can claim them as tax-tribute deductions? Where is it in the Bible?
Of course it does not exist. There is, however, teaching that this is an
abomination to God.

Is it honorable to God to give a "tithe," then take back a portion in the
form of a state-granted rebate? How ridiculous. If it is "good stewardship"
to get a rebate back from the state for that which we give in the most holy
act of tithing, then why don't we just tithe to the state exclusively and
let them be the benevolent stewards of ALL our money and let the state
decide what portion should be allocated to the churches?

How do your "renderings to God" compare with the treasures you have lain up
in the state's (Caesar's) Social Security system? Placed side-by-side, how
would the two accounts balance? How about after you consider what you get
back from the state after the tithe "rebate?"

All of these violate God's Law for they are merely attempts to lay up
treasure with the state for future security. It is, in effect, an attempt to
serve two masters -- which, under God's Law, cannot be done. Whom do you
fear more?

One of the most basic Biblical principles is this: We, as Christians must
obey God rather than man. This is why Jesus was arrested and hung on the
cross: He violated MAN's law. Look also at all the other examples of true
followers of God violating man's ungodly laws: Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego; Rahab; Moses' parents; Paul and the apostles -- and the list goes
on and on. After all, it is believed that a substantial portion of the New
Testament was written from JAIL! The Book of Revelation was written by John
while he was in exile on the Island of Patmos.

Here are just a few example of Godly men and women obeying God's Law rather
than man's in which God honored their actions:

[1] Midwives/Moses' mother disobey king (civil authority)

"The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah
and Puah, 'When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on
the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her
live.' The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of
Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt
summoned the midwives and asked them, 'Why have you done this? Why have you
let the boys live?' The midwives answered Pharaoh, 'Hebrew women are not
like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives
arrive.' So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became
even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them
families of their own. Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people:
"Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl
live."

Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became
pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she
hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a
papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the
child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. (Exod
1:15-2:3)

[2] Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego disobey the king (civil authority)

"'But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province
of Babylon -- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego -- who pay no attention to you,
O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have
set up.' Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said
to them, 'Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve
my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?'" (Dan 3:12-14)

[3] Rahab lies to civil authorities, God honors her deed

"So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: 'Bring out the men who
came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the
whole land.' But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,
"Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. (Josh
2:3-4)

[4] Apostles disobey civil authorities

"Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to
be questioned by the high priest. 'We gave you strict orders not to teach in
this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and
are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.' Peter and the other
apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!'" (Acts 5:27-29)


[END OF PART I]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel."
"And God was displeased with this thing, so He struck Israel."
(I Chronicles 21:1 and 7)

=====================================================================

[PART II CONTRIBUTED BY FERRIS A. MAGNUSON, JR.]

May 3, 1996
FERRIS A. MAGNUSON, JR.
Minister for The Church of World Peace
1610 Vermillion Lane
Palatine, IL 60074


WHAT HIGHER POWERS?

Romans 13:1-7:

"Let every soul..."

Whatever this passage means, there is no doubt that it applies to every
one's soul.

"...be subject..."

Means to obey.

"... unto the Higher powers."

This is no doubt this is the key to the passage.

Most commentators and theologians contend that the higher powers here were
Caesar, or the government of Rome. Then they say in principle, this refers
to the governing authorities of America, therefore, we must do whatever our
government says. Is that what you were taught?

I strongly object to this interpretation! God has ordained a chain of
authority and every person is subject to it.

The Greek word higher is, in this verse, huperecho meaning supreme.

The Greek word power is, in this verse, exousia meaning authority. This word
is used in two ways.

First, the word power is used in conjunction with supreme (absolute)
authority. This is always used in reference to God alone. The same word is
used in reference to man with delegated authority to the highest supreme
(absolute) authority, which is God alone. Therefore, the verse tells us,
every soul is to be subject to the highest or supreme authority. Therefore,
if a Christian wishes to follow God, he must reject any authority that is in
opposition to God and His word.

This agrees with Paul's actions in Acts 17:7, where it states that Paul, and
all Christians, "do contrary to the decrees (laws) of Caesar"

This interpretation also agrees with Matthew 28:18 where Jesus Christ said,
"All power (authority) (exousia) is given unto me in heaven and in earth"

If Jesus has it all, then judges, legislators, and public servants have
none, except in the delegated areas.

This is carefully outlined in Romans 13:3-4, "for rulers (of God) are not a
terror to good works" (good works as defined by God's terms in God's Word),
but to the evil (works).

"For he is the minister of God to thee (to the good deed doer) for good. But
if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword (of
execution and revenge) in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger
(for God) to execute (carry out) (God's) wrath upon him that doeth evil"
(breaks God's Laws).

The word 'he' in verse 4 does not refer to civil or government leaders or
laws, but refers to "God's arrangement of authority." If this passage
referred to rulers as ministers of God, then they must in every instance
work for good and against evil. We would be delighted to find this true, but
it just isn't so. Please notice that the verse gives no leeway for the 'he'
to be more good than bad, or mostly good, but EVERY TIME must be FOR good
and AGAINST evil. Human rulers are just not that way.

Second, the word power (exousia) also means jurisdiction. God has carefully
outlined the jurisdiction (area of authority) for civil authorities. Their
jobs are simply to protect (the lives and property of) good doers (those who
obey God's Laws) and punish those who are evil doers (those who violate
God's Laws). This means that government is primarily in the business of
punishing crime (this being the breaking of God's Law). Welfare, social
security, government supported abortion including partial birth abortion,
land control, zoning, and a myriad of other functions now performed or
sanctioned by government were never intended, nor granted by God. Our
government, using the irs, forces citizens to pay for these violations
through confiscatory income taxes.

Therefore, if not granted by God, then any activity by government in any of
these areas of ungranted authority is unlawful and government officials
become the evil doers. To obey such rulers is to surrender the sovereignty
of God, abolish any attempt to worship, and makes you a co-conspirator in
crime in rebellion against God.

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

Subject to what? The Christian is to subject himself to every authority that
is NOT in opposition to God's arrangement of authority. Things will get out
of order if we go our own way of evil. Over and over again the Apostle Paul
reminds us that God has leveled judgment on the nations because they have
forsaken His plan for their own. It is wise to follow God's plan.

Romans 13:6 says, "For this cause pay ye tribute also.."

For what cause? God's plan of authority in verse 4 and the fact that this
plan was instituted by God to be a minister of God to us for good. For the
cause of punishing evil and blessing good workers. There is no command to
pay taxes for the wicked deeds of wicked rulers. Try to convince Daniel that
all government workers work and rule in harmony with God's plan when he was
thrown in the lion's den. Our government does God's work and serves the
individual citizen? Nothing could be further from the truth. Because of
God's plan of authority, you pay tribute to those servants of God who are
devoting themselves continually to His plan.

Romans 13:7 says, "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom
tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom
honor."

We must remember there is no allusion to government workers in this passage.
It refers to AUTHORITIES; any time the concept of government is added, it
shifts the idea from God's arrangement of authority to man's plan of human
government, which was never intended. Neither does the verse teach that
Christians are to give to everyone who asks. Individual giving as a personal
matter may turn to a curse if the individual gives to an agency, church or
organization that's promoting unrighteousness. Nothing is due anyone who is
working in opposition to God and his arrangement of authority. Every
decision to give should be determined by whether the recipients is upholding
God's plan.

Even the will of the people or public policy cannot force any unlawful
obligation on one who is subject to the higher power of the jurisdiction of
our Sovereign King Lord Jesus Christ.

The same rules of interpretation apply to I Peter 2. Some are troubled by
Peter's statement in verse 13: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of
man." If this means we are to obey every law of man, then Peter violated his
own words. In Acts 5:29 Peter states: "We ought to obey God rather than
men."

The word submit in Scripture does not always mean obey. The word ordinance
in this verse means institution, not law. I may have to submit to the
institution of jail, torture or death, but I don't have to obey all their
laws and regulations.

Before you call me an anarchist, you had better look up the definition of
anarchist. The word means having no law or a law unto yourself. A man who is
obedient to God's Law is not a man having no law, or a law unto himself. In
fact, a state that enforces law (sic) and violates God's Law, and the man
who obeys the state law, is in violation of God's Law; therefore they are
the real lawless ones, or the anti-Christs.

I personally have no fear of people who are allowed to live unregulated by
the state and live by their interpretation of Bible Law, as long as:

Every citizen agrees to live by Bible Law and,

Every citizen is taught that the violation of another's life and property is
unscriptural and will be punished for such violation by Biblical parameters
of justice.

This means drunks who cause accidents will pay the damages. If life is
taken, murder or manslaughter is the charge, with appropriate punishment for
the guilty.

Now lets take I Peter 2: 13-17 all encompassing. "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 well doing 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. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
Honor the king".

Peter says here that the civil authority is to be honored and that God is to
be feared. The state, as he defines it, is to punish those who do wrong and
commend those who do right. If this is not so, then the whole structure
falls apart. Clearly, the state is to be a ministry of justice. But what is
to be done when the state does that which violates its legitimate function?
The early Christians died because they would not obey the state in a civil
matter.

Following this, God gives a command to the Christians that should catch the
attention of each of us, especially those of us who live in a country that
is more free than many.

Referring to v.16, the Christian is free to ignore evil, protest it, resist
it, or concur with it. But God specifically tells us not to use our freedom
as a covering for evil. Because we have been wrongly taught that we are to
obey authorities whether they are good or not, instead of being "the salt of
the earth," we have allowed disgrace to flourish in our country. God has
been cast aside, and secular humanism has become the order of the day.
Render Unto Caesar ...

Many people, in order to try to force Christians to bow to ungodly laws of
government, quote "Surrender unto Caesar..." This is an attempt to quote the
Scripture found in Matthew 22:21 where Jesus said: Render therefore unto
Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are
God's." There are several things wrong with trying to quote this Scripture
as a hammer over the head of some supposedly recalcitrant Christian, who
won't bow at the feet of some bureaucrat.

First of all, Caesar is dead. You cannot apply the government of Caesar to
the government of the United States of America. Also, it must be remembered
that Jesus Christ, according to Matthew 17:24-27, was accused of refusing to
pay taxes to Caesar. I do not believe that is a false charge, as some people
have assumed. Caesar was a dictator; he was ungodly. But he did have
absolute rule in his territory. He not only had absolute rule, he demanded
worship as a sovereign, because obedience and acknowledgement of his
licensing power was required before you could worship any other god. Sound
familiar: IRS permission 501, C-3 for churches to operate. Any church with
this license will not teach you the evils of government and will not teach
you how to stop this evil.

That is not the form of government God so graciously gave us in the United
States of America. In America, there is no law over the people, except the
Law of God. The Constitution was drawn up by the people as a law over their
elected officials and administrators. Our elected officials are not in
authority over the people of the United States of America, nor are they
rulers. They are administrators of justice, which can be defined by no other
criteria than the Law of God. Therefore, to accuse a Christian brother or
sister of disobeying God because they refuse to obey Caesar, is a hyperbole,
a show of ignorance, a show of audacity and rebellion against God Himself.

It would appear what Jesus was really saying was, if God be your God, render
to Him; if Caesar be your god, render to Caesar. It appears to me that the
application would be more appropriately made today, if government be your
god, then obey it; if God be your God, then obey Him.

There are many persons in the United States who are by law required to pay a
graduated income tax, but the individual who is a free sovereign individual
under the Constitution of the United States is not required to pay a
graduated income tax. That is most likely you.

God is sovereign over all, including Caesar. Therefore, to say that Caesar
has a certain realm of obedience and God has another realm of obedience, is
totally false. Caesar must come in line with God. As our Patriot forefathers
said, "Only one King: Jesus." Remember, it was the unsaved Jews who said,
"... no king but Caesar.".

You are not convinced and still say that our income tax laws pertain to you
and me! Then look at the attached pages and read the excerpts that I have
obtained from lawyers, CPA's, an English major and an enrolled agent. This
clearly shows that the man made income tax laws do not pertain to a free
sovereign individual under the Constitution of the United States.

I am a free sovereign individual under the Constitution of the United
States. I took a stand in 1979 against the unjust authorities. I can not and
will not obey our authorities when it means to surrender the lordship of
Jesus. I am ready to defend myself in court and I am ready to go to jail if
necessary for my convictions. After all, I would be in pretty good company
since much of the New Testament was penned in prison!

For those who are so concerned with their reputations, their positions,
their friends and their salaries, I quote the appropriate words of Samuel
Adams: "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude
better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We
ask not your counsel or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands of those
who feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you. May posterity forget
that ye were our countrymen."

That is good advice for all of us Christians, especially for preachers. We
are obligated to obey the Bible regardless of the consequences. It is time
to stop fearing what man can do and realize that God's judgment can be more
intense than anything man can do. It is time to tell authorities that we
will not obey them when obedience to them results in disobedience to Bible
principles.

What can a Christian do?

1st - Exodus 23 vs. 2, 24, 25, 32 and 33

2nd - Rise up and make Jesus Christ "LORD".

3rd - Recognize the problem. What's the problem? The bureaucratic leaders in
our nation today no longer recognize God above them.

4th - Gladly serve on the jury and teach others to do the same. The jury
system was established in our country to protect the people from tyrannical
government. A juror has more power than the law or the judge and every
Christian should stand for God and righteousness. STAND FOR GOD NO MATTER
WHAT THE COST.

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I am not a number
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/bluesky_btl/20000616_xcbtl_i_am_not_n.shtml
Joseph Farah

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Social security is the bane of individual liberty. - SAM
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