When the Bible uses the term or concept of government, it is not always instantly analogous to civic, secular government. Our western mindset and training, coupled with the singular, secular use of the word “government” has caused us to assume a singular usage.
Let’s briefly look at some older definitions of the word to see that government meant more than the state, that is, civil government at the national level. The dictionary is always a good place to begin. Noah Webster’s, An American Dictionary of the English Language (first published in 1828) defines government this way:
GOVERNMENT, noun
1. Direction; regulation. “These precepts will serve for the government of our conduct.”
2. Control; restraint. “Men are apt to neglect the government of their temper and passions.”
3. The exercise of authority, direction, and restraint exercised over the actions of men in communities, societies, or states; the administration of public affairs, according to the established constitution, laws, and usages, or by arbitrary edict. “Prussia rose to importance under the government of Frederick II.”
4. The exercise of authority by a parent or householder. “Children are often ruined by a neglect of government in parents. Let family government be like that of our heavenly Father, mild, gentle and affectionate.”
Did you notice the emphasis here? All human government begins with the individual. We call this self-government or self-control (Galatians 6:23; Acts 24:25). Self-government undergirds all institutional governments, including the mothers and fathers in family government, elders in church government, and civil servants at all jurisdictional levels in civil government. Webster never defined “government” as the state and only the state.
Keeping that in mind, it becomes easier to understand why there are actually four distinct areas of government the Bible addresses.
1. Self-Government
This is best understood in biblical terms as self-restraint and responsibility. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28 NKJV) This is the most basic question of governing, “Can you govern yourself?” The answer and
success to this question actually becomes the gate through which other aspects of governance should be made available.
2. Marriage/Family Government
“For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:23-27 NKJV)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3 NKJV)
“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:9-11 NKJV)
The family structure is a “government”. In much the same way as self-governing, this aspect of government is crucial to an orderly society. When the family breaks down and order disappears, problems begin to arise in the culture.
3. Church Government
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17 NKJV)
“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?” (I Corinthians 6:1-4 NKJV)
In our contemporary western mentalities, the Church has little authority over us in any meaningful way. Sadly, as this has taken place, we again find an open window to the general chaos we find as a society.
4. Civic Government
“For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore, you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13:4-7 NKJV)
Civic government is actually God’s idea. As you can see from Romans 13, it’s leaders are referred to as “God’s minister”. Civic leaders are expected to be as connected to God and His precepts as other government spheres.
While it is true that each of these spheres of government has its unique set of responsibilities or jurisdictions, each sphere of government is built upon scriptural obedience and the glory of God. I would also suggest that success in each ascending sphere provides qualification for promotion to the next arena. For example, a person who has demonstrated the appropriate qualities of individual restraint and self-control is well suited to marry and start a family. Those who manage their family well, are suited to provide leadership and governance in the Church setting. (By the way, Paul said that very thing in I Timothy 3:4) And finally, a great church leader who has proven themselves successful in governing in the House of God would be an excellent candidate for civic government. One sphere prepares and qualifies for the next one. After all, if a person cannot govern themselves, why should we think they would be successful at governing multi-million-dollar budgets or lead nations?
It is important as pastors engage the civic arena to be reminded of these aspects of governance. As preaching, teaching, and ministry take place on Sunday, the Church is literally engaging in the creation of good government in all 4 spheres. This is why the Church Ambassador Network states that pastors’ engagement is the linchpin to civic renewal.
For more information on how you might be involved, please get in touch with us HERE.