4: God's Authorities (b)

The Bible tells us to submit to civil authorities that come from God, but what most Christians never think about - who defines legitimate civil authority that comes from God? A military coup who seizes power? A majority vote of a nation?

Saint Augustine wrote:

“Can a self-styled civil authority that oppresses a massive number of people with their unrighteous civil law have any more legitimate authority than a small pirate?”

So is a person who has the most power over people God’s definition of legitimate authority? There is NOT ONE verse in the Bible that says that. But Satan deceives many Christians by even using Scripture, as he also tried to deceive Jesus through quoting Scripture.

But no amount of saved or unsaved voting majority is God’s definition for His civil authorities. ONLY God defines His authorities that serve Him. Lest any Christian question this and take Scripture out of its context, God defined legitimate authorities IMMEDIATELY AFTER He said to submit to them (Rom. 13:3-4 NASB):

“Rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior… Do what is good and you will have praise from the same… for he is a servant of God to you for good… for he is a servant of God.”

Note the 4 characteristics of God’s definition for legitimate authorities:

* “Rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior.”

* “Do what is good and you will have praise from the same.”

* “For he is a servant of God to you for good.”

* “For he is a servant of God.”

We should think of all 4 of these areas if we want to know if an authority is a legitimate authority according to God. If a civil leader does not qualify in God’s definition for civil authority, then they are illegitimate … no matter how they got into power or what anyone thinks or declares.