Christian Civil Disobedience

Acts 5:29-32
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be Prince and a saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”
The Sanhedrin believed they were divinely appointed by God to administrate God's will on earth, so everything they did was God's will. You can imagine how angry they must have been when Peter and the apostles continued to disobey their orders and answered, "We must obey God rather than men!" This condition did not die with those who were called the Sanhedrin. It is still alive and kicking today. There are many sects and orders today that believe they are the sole owner of the access to God. Those who do not comply with their authority are heretics.

I think we must be careful that we are not self-serving when we apply this principle of civil disobedience. 1 Peter 2:13-14 tells us that we are to submit ourselves to every earthly authority placed over us, so how do we balance all that? Without getting into civil authority or compliance to law and order let us look at what we as Christians are to do. God told Israel over and over again to obey my commandments. Man has devised ways to get around what God has commanded us to do. And over and over again man has suffered the consequences of his actions. I do feel as Christians when our freedom to worship God as He directs is threatened then we are to follow God and not man. We are also to stand up and defend the God we serve. I guess then it would come down to which god do you serve, the god of this world or the God who created heaven and earth. Satan is on the offensive to get God removed from our lives our country and our minds. As Christens we are to take up arms and go to war against this evil.

There are two primary biblical requirements to keep in mind as we consider an act of "Christian Civil Disobedience." I pose these as questions, the first is: Does it have scriptural support and authority? 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproach, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The apostles weren't following a feeling, they were following a direct order of Jesus from Matthew 28:19 "Go make disciples of all nations."

The second: Will you carry it out with humility? Peter and the apostles were willing to take punishment for disobedience. Throughout the Scriptures we see other examples of those who say, "we can't do this because we have a higher authority;" however, they do so without anger, resentment, or violence. Yes it is a war we are to fight but then we are to do it with love for those who have wronged us, for those who have fallen under the spell of the devil and those who have been deceived by false teachers. Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Our example is Christ. As he hung on the cross after having been beaten and physically abused to the ninth degree he said, “forgive them for they know not what they do.”
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour..”
Remember the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. Take a stand for Christ He stood for you, gave His life for you and expects nothing less.
Can you remember a situation recently when you had a choice to obey God or man? What was your decision? What was the outcome?