Hebrews 13 and the Spirit of Rebellion

By Chad Prigmore

Recently, Hebrews chapter 13 has been mentioned regarding the current governmental situation in America.

Toward the end of the film Fall of the Republic which was posted on this site last week, it's stated that many Christian churches are advising congregations to submit to the government regardless of it’s actions because that’s what Hebrews 13 commands Christians to do.

Until recently, I was unaware that some even feel the founding fathers acted in defiance of Hebrews 13 by revolting against British rule.

Rom 13:1 Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God's permission. The existing authorities have been established by God, 

Rom 13:2 so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
 
Rom 13:3 For the authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to live without being afraid of the authorities? Then do what is right, and you will receive their approval. 

Rom 13:4 For they are God's servants working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword. Indeed, they are God's servants to execute wrath on anyone who does wrong. 

Rom 13:5 Therefore, it is necessary for you to be subject, not only because of God's wrath but also because of your own conscience. 

Rom 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes. For rulers are God's servants faithfully devoting themselves to their work. 

Rom 13:7 Pay everyone whatever you owe them-taxes to whom taxes are due, tolls to whom tolls are due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due.
 

While every believer must draw their own conclusions in an issue of this magnitude, I was able to find what I feel to be sufficient justification for political rebellion in the writings of Adam Clarke. One of the most respected Bible commentators of all time, his commentary on Hebrews 13 makes sense.

In all nations of the earth there is what may be called a constitution - a plan by which a particular country or state is governed; and this constitution is less or more calculated to promote the interests of the community. The civil governor, whether he be elective or hereditary, agrees to govern according to that constitution.

If the ruler be an immoral or profligate man, does he not prove himself thereby to be unworthy of his high office, and should he not be deposed? I answer, No: if he rule according to the constitution, nothing can justify rebellion against his authority. He may be irregular in his own private life; he may be an immoral man, and disgrace himself by an improper conduct: but if he rule according to the law; if he make no attempt to change the constitution, nor break the compact between him and the people; there is, therefore, no legal ground of opposition to his civil authority, and every act against him is not only rebellion in the worst sense of the word, but is unlawful and absolutely sinful.

Nothing can justify the opposition of the subjects to the ruler but overt attempts on his part to change the constitution, or to rule contrary to law. When the ruler acts thus he dissolves the compact between him and his people; his authority is no longer binding, because illegal; and it is illegal because he is acting contrary to the laws of that constitution, according to which, on being raised to the supreme power, he promised to govern. This conduct justifies opposition to his government;

Saul was a good moral man, but a bad prince, because he endeavored to act contrary to the Israelitish constitution: he changed some essential parts of that constitution, as I have elsewhere shown; he was therefore lawfully deposed.

In a time such as this when “In God We Trust” is being removed from our currency, Christianity is being attacked from all sides, and the United States Constitution is being shredded by the leaders who have sworn to uphold it – we must each decide to either stand faithfully for what we believe in, or sit by and watch our freedom, including that of religion be torn from us.