RPCNA Testimony – Chapter 23:1-11 Of the Civil Magistrate

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RP Testimony 23.1. “We reject the belief that civil government is unnecessary or essentially evil.”

RP Testimony 23.2. “God has given the exercise of all authority to the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the Divine Lawgiver, Governor and Judge. His will concerning the purpose of civil government and the principles regarding its functions and operation are revealed in the written Word of God. The Holy Spirit enables even unregenerate rulers to fulfill their proper functions. A true recognition of the authority and law of Christ in national life can only be the fruit of the Spirit’s regenerating power in the lives of individuals. Deut. 4:39; Dan. 4:25, 32, 35; Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:10; Eph. 1:22; Isa. 33:22; Deut. 17:18-19; Isa. 45:1-7; Ezek. 36:27.”

    RP Testimony 23.3. “God has assigned to people, both individually and collectively, the responsibility for establishing and maintaining civil government, and the people are accountable to Jesus Christ for the proper exercise of this responsibility. Deut. 1:13-14; Deut. 17:15; 1 Sam. 8:22; 2 Sam. 5:3; Hos. 8:1, 4; Eccl. 10:16-17.”

    RP Testimony 23.4. “Every nation ought to recognize the Divine institution of civil government, the sovereignty of God exercised by Jesus Christ, and its duty to rule the civil affairs of men in accordance with the will of God. It should enter into covenant with Christ and serve to advance His Kingdom on earth. The negligence of civil government in any of these particulars is sinful, makes the nation liable to the wrath of God, and threatens the continued existence of the government and nation. Phil. 2:10; Rom. 13:4; Ps. 132:12; Ps. 103:17-19; Ps. 2:10-12.”

    RP Testimony 23.5. “We reject the view that nations have no corporate responsibility for acknowledging and obeying Christ.”

    RP Testimony 23.6. “It is the duty of every Christian citizen to labor and pray for his nation’s official and explicit recognition of the authority and law of Jesus Christ, Preserver and Ruler of nations, and for the conduct of all governmental affairs in harmony with the written Word of God. 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Phil. 2:9-10; Acts 2:1-39; Ps. 2:8-12; Esther 4:14.”

    RP Testimony 23.7. “We deny that constitutional recognition of Jesus Christ means union of church and state.”

    RP Testimony 23.8. “We reject the teaching that Christians should not seek the establishment of Christian civil government.”

    RP Testimony 23.9. “No particular form of civil government is commanded in the Scriptures. Any form of civil government which observes the duties and limitations set upon it by God in His revealed Word is acceptable to God. Ex. 18:21-24; Prov. 29:14; Deut. 1:16-17.”

    RP Testimony 23.10. “We deny that simply having a democratic or republican form of government insures God’s approval and blessing.”

    RP Testimony 23.11. “All officers and employees of a civil government are to be servants of God for good. They are responsible to God for the discharge of lawful duties rightfully assigned to them by human authority. Neither their official position, however, nor the orders of their superiors, nor the will of the people, exonerates them from blame for any unscriptural action or inaction. Rom. 13:3-4; 2 Chron. 19:6-7; Prov. 29:26.”