Questions to consider as you read this article below:
• Where was the political capital of Israel?
• What buildings were significant political structures in the capital?
• What political city did the book of Acts start in and what politically significant city did it end in?
• Would Peter’s first and second speech in Acts set an example to follow?
Political Involvement in the Early Church
There are many examples of political involvement in the New Testament. Jesus Christ set the example and the early church continued to engage the centers of political power. The early church started by engaging the politicians in the political capital of Israel and continued to the political capital of Rome and the rest of the world.
Many misled Christians have said, “The Bible doesn’t give any examples of the church being involved in government and politics in the New Testament Church. Romans 13 just says to submit to the government. Therefore, voting and being involved in politics is not part of making disciples of Christ.”
In contrast, the knowledge of God commands disciples of Jesus Christ to be very active in government and politics. Disciples should be very active in persuading all people to follow all the teachings of Christ. Jesus taught a lot about how we are to live as a community, the responsibility of governors and what righteous laws look like.
Definitions:
• The Knowledge of God includes everything God wrote in scripture, God’s character and wisdom revealed in nature, and much more. What God wrote in scripture includes the Law, the Prophets, the examples and commands of Jesus, and the letters of the Apostles. (We are commanded to teach every man all wisdom in Mark 16:15-16, Colossians 1:28 and Matthew 28:18-20)
• Politics is the process of persuasion for unifying people under leaders, goals and standards. Politics includes proposing different laws, policies, focus and leaders. (Disciples of Christ are responsible to promote God’s laws (Since they are the commands God will judge everyone by). Disciples of Christ are to promote leaders who fear God, are not greedy and obey God’s laws themselves. Disciples of Christ are to focus people’s attention on the things God cares about. We are exhorted to fight against philosophies that exalt themselves against the knowledge given to us by God (2 Corinthians 10:4-6).
• Government is the institution of one man having authority over another. The simplest forms of government include a parent having authority over their children and a man having authority over his slave. The more complex forms of government include kings, presidents, corporate boards, and the United Nations, where one person or group has authority over thousands and millions of people. Government includes lawmaking, judgment and leadership (Isaiah 33:22 was used to form the United States Congress, Supreme Court and President). The role of government is to protect the governed, administer justice, oversee the flow of resources and provide leadership. God instituted government, therefore it is not owned by Satan or evil by nature. Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
• God’s Kingdom – Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus always was and will be King. The earth is merely an outpost of rebellion in the middle of God’s Kingdom. Leaders choose to bring their followers closer to God or to lead their followers to rebel against God.
The Commands of Jesus
Matthew 28:18-20 The Great Commission
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Observations:
• “Of all nations “ – Jesus groups people in the world by their political boundaries. This is significant because if Jesus said, “Of all languages”, we would focus on Bible translation and intellectual teaching. Because Jesus said, “nations”, He is encouraging us to influence the political and legal authority in the lives of those to whom we share the commands of Christ. Jesus intended us to be in conflict with political leaders who are in rebellion against God.
• “Make disciples of all nations … teaching them to observe” – We are to teach them to OBSERVE all things that Christ commanded. Observance is not just a vague awareness, but an active participation in doing what God says to do.
• “All authority has been given me in heaven and on earth” – Jesus fully intended our teaching nations to submit to Jesus’ commands to be a power struggle. The fight between the saints and rebellious political rulers does not end until “The end of the age.” The saints are on the winning side now and later. (Not because we successfully persuade everyone, but because God judges His enemies, past and future.)
Acts 1:8 The global strategy
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Observations:
• Jesus commanded the disciples to use the political capital of Israel as the base to radiate out into the rest of the world.
• The political capital was opposed to Christ’s commands, because they had just put Christ to death. The political leaders were to trying to stop the political teachings of Christ from influencing the nation.
The Example of Jesus
Jesus was very active in politics in his teachings and actions. He confronted politicians, addressed the standards of how laws were applied and taught about the standards used to hold politicians accountable.
The Cleansing of the Political Headquarters (Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:15, John 2:14-16)
• On two occasions Jesus throws out the money changers and merchants from the Temple in Jerusalem.
• The temple was the central building of the political headquarters of the Jewish Nation.
• Jesus used physical force including a whip.
Jesus does not cower in the face of political leaders
• To Herod … “Tell that fox.” (Luke 13:31-32)
• To Pilate … I am the King of the Jews and the Son of God. You have been granted permission to harm Me from God (John 19).
Jesus raised the standard on the Ten Commandments
• Jesus Christ joined the political discussion of current laws and the standards used to apply the law.
• Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17-18). Jesus came to fulfill the law of substitutionary sacrifice. The law of substitutionary sacrifice started with sheep in the Garden of Eden and was fulfilled in Christ. The celebrations and traditions changed, but God’s law did not change. God’s law did not change, because God’s character did not change. The display of God’s mercy and grace started in the Garden of Eden and continues after the millennium. God’s law that comes from His holiness never changes. That’s why James says there is One Lawgiver (James 4:12). God’s law is the same for the unbeliever and the believer. It does not change, because God’s holy character does not change.
• Looking with lust is the same as adultery (Matthew 5:27-28).
• “Let your yes be yes and your no be no” raises the standard on lying (Matthew 5:37).
• Dedicating every day to the Lord as a His slave, raises the standard on the Sabbath. “Take up your cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
• Calling someone a worthless fool in anger is the same as murder. This raises the standard on murder (Matthew 5:22).
• Jesus attacked the laws that allowed honor for the person who was not taking care of his parents (Matthew 15:3-9).
Jesus teaches on Servant Leadership (American elected officials were called ‘Public Servants’ in the past)
• We are to esteem the ones who serve best as the greatest (Matthew 23:11).
• The son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
• Jesus referred to Himself as the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 11:11 & Luke 7:28, see also Philippians 2:5-11).
• Jesus washed the disciple’s feet (John 13:3-5)
• King Jesus provided the Holy Spirit for those who serve Him (John 15:26). Leaders are responsible for the provision of those who follow.
• Jesus gives His life for those who follow Him (John 10:11 & 15).
The Book of Acts
The Book of Acts is a record of how the commands of Christ traveled from the political capital of Israel to Caesar, the political ruler in Rome. The Book of Acts ends in the political capital of the Roman Empire. There is constant interaction between the Words of Christ and political leaders. The disciples’ political speech is so inflammatory to current political thought that they are often beaten, imprisoned and killed. The disciples don’t change their message.
Peter’s First Speech Acts 2
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Observations:
• Peter preached his first sermon in the city that was the political capital of Israel. Of all the cities and towns in Israel, the political capital was the chosen location.
• Peter calls the people in the political capital, including the political leaders, the guilty party in Christ’s crucifixion.
• Peter is not just advocating for Jesus Christ, but for what Jesus Christ taught.
• Offending the Jewish political leaders in Peter’s first recorded speech sets a very strong example to follow.
• Peter’s style of addressing political issues does not change.
• Peter continued to daily repeat his message in the central political building of the political capital of Israel, the temple. (Acts 2:46)
Peter’s Second Recorded Speech Acts 3:11-26
Observations:
• Peter preaches from Solomon’s porch, a political pulpit, in the capital of Israel. (Acts 3:11)
• Peter gives a partial pardon to Pilate and places the blame on the Jews for Jesus’ death. “And killed the Prince of Life” (Acts 3:13 – 15)
• This upset the Jewish political leaders. Peter called them murderers from the political stage of the nation.
• Peter assumed authority to use the political capitol building, the temple. Peter met with his disciples in the political capitol building for weeks, before his first arrest in Acts 4. Peter was an active political force from the capital for weeks and months. Over 3,000 people were listening to him in the capitol buildings.
More from Acts
• Peter judges and administers the death sentence on liars in Acts 5. They die immediately. Administering justice and applying laws is a governmental function.
• Peter continues speaking from Solomon’s Porch of political authority in Acts 5. Peter upheld God’s law from the same place David’s son, Solomon, administered justice.
• Peter and John continue going back and forth between Solomon’s porch and the Temple in Jerusalem (Acts 3:1).
• The disciples addressed the political issue of welfare in Jerusalem and appointed leaders to administer the political program. The Jewish politicians opposed the welfare reform and made false accusations to have Stephen killed (Acts 6 & 7).
• Paul openly taught politically inflammatory concepts in the marketplace (Acts 16:21-22).
• Paul used the Roman law to provide protection to the early Philippian Church (Acts 16). The Philippian rulers had mistreated Paul, and he could come back later and have them punished.
• Paul engaged in political discussions with political philosophers on Mars Hill (Acts 17).
• Paul played one political party against the other. Paul played the Pharisees against the Sadducees to gain support for the truth. (Acts 23:6-10).
• Paul uses Roman Law to provide safety and provisions on his mission to make disciples of Caesar and his household (Acts 25:11-12). “I appeal to Caesar.”
• Paul explains the righteousness of God to Roman political magistrates Felix, Festus and Agrippa. Felix is filled with fear, after Paul explains the righteousness of God and the judgment to come (Acts 24:24-25). Agrippa almost agrees to become a Christian (Acts 26:28).
The Book of Romans
The book of Romans was written to the political capital of the most politically powerful country in the world. Paul is very politically inflammatory in the first chapter and doesn’t back down.
Observations:
• Chapter 1 – Paul immediately attacks the philosophy of the Roman Emperor that all good things come from the government. Paul explains that all blessings and power flow from God the creator. We are to thank God first. (The Democratic Party in the United States has the philosophy that all good things come from the government – Housing, Education, Healthcare and Retirement.)
• Chapter 1 – Paul attacks the legalized, sexual chaos that is allowed by the government of Rome. Paul warns that there is a higher authority than the government of Rome that holds the Romans as guilty in the sight of God’s wrath.
• Paul speaks about a variety of political issues in the rest of the Romans including standards, covenants, slavery, justice, mercy, racial law differences, the role of government and the role of those under the government’s authority.
The Book of Galatians
Paul has a long political discourse about how God’s laws, man’s laws and traditions and the consequences of disobedience interrelate.
Paul explains how the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ fulfills the law, so we can live in grace. We don’t fear the law, we focus on doing the things that please God. However, those who continue in sin will not inherit eternal life. Even though we live in grace, God still hates sin (Galatians 5). There are still consequences to disobedience, because of the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7).
Paul explains that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are some of the few things, that there aren’t political opinions and laws against (Galatians 5:22-23). This portrays a belief that few things aren’t political, because there are laws that demand self-control, patience, etc.
The Books to the Thessalonians
Paul addresses the political issue of welfare. If a man refuses to work, then don’t let him eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
The Books of Timothy and Titus
Paul commands them to set things in order and appoint leaders. These books have a lot of wisdom about how to train and select leaders who will govern. Rulers must rule well over their own household, to stay eligible to serve as leaders.
The Book of Philemon
Paul addresses the political issue of slavery. Owning another person is the most direct form of government. The owner commands and controls every aspect of the life of his slave. Everything the owner says is law to the slave.
Paul explains how Christians are to treat slaves and how slaves are to obey their masters in the book of Philemon. Paul exhorts slaves to obey their masters and for masters to take care of their slaves.
Slavery is an extremely political issue that was a central factor in the US Civil War.
The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ
Jesus judges the nations with the sword of His mouth. God’s law wins. The words and commands of Jesus are the sword that judges the nations. The words and commands of Jesus are not confused by grey areas. The Word of God cuts a clean separation between right and wrong. Hebrews 4:12-13.
In conclusion, the abundant examples of Jesus Christ and the Early Church clarify that His disciples are to be engaged in political changes and not fear the opposition from those who rebel against God’s righteousness.
Some say, “Just pray.” Yes, pray to get your heart right with God. And then put your feet in motion to do what Jesus Christ commanded to do. You can’t pray long without obeying.