11, 12. (a) How do the Scriptures show that there is another authority to be considered? (b) What would you do if secular rulers issued orders that conflicted with God’s requirements, and why?

¹¹ However, Jesus showed that “Caesar,” the secular state, was not the only authority to be considered. “The superior authorities” are not superior to God or even equal to him. On the contrary, they are very inferior to him. So their authority is limited, not absolute. Because of this, Christians have often been confronted with a critical decision. It is a decision that you too must face. When men in power demand for themselves what belongs to God, what will you do? If they forbid what God commands, whom will you obey?

¹² The apostles of Jesus respectfully but firmly stated their position to the members of the high court in Jerusalem: “We cannot stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard. . . . We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” (Acts 4:19, 20; 5:29) Governments have at times imposed restrictions in emergencies, and that is understandable. But sometimes governmental restrictions may be designed to interfere with our worship of God and make it impossible to fulfill God-given obligations. What then? God’s inspired Word answers: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.”

13, 14. (a) How careful should we be not to disobey secular laws just for personal reasons? (b) From the Scriptures, point out reasons for this.

¹³ Though honoring this obligation to God may conflict with what “Caesar” requires, this is far different from independently breaking laws that we do not agree with. It is true that, from a personal standpoint, certain laws may seem unnecessary or unduly restrictive. But that does not justify ignoring laws that are not in conflict with God’s laws. What if all people obeyed only the laws they considered to be of benefit to themselves? It could only lead to anarchy.

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The apostles of Jesus told the high court: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men”