Yes—every government, including ungodly ones like Hitler's Germany, is ordained by God.
Romans 13:1 declares that there is no power but of God and that the powers that be are ordained of God. Les Feldick identifies these 'higher powers' as civil governments, not the Godhead, and states that even Hitler was in power by God's sovereign divine appointment. He also teaches that ungodly rulers are still God's ministers (Romans 13:6). So the ordination of a government does not mean God endorses everything it does.
Romans 13:1 — The clearest biblical statement that all governing authorities are ordained by God.
Romans 13:6 — Shows even ungodly government officials are described as God's ministers.
The Bible states plainly that human government is a God-ordained institution. Romans 13:1 says, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Verse 2 adds, "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." This places every civil authority under God's sovereign permission, not just the ones we approve of. Scripture also explains what government is supposed to do. Paul says in Romans 13:3, "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil." And in Romans 13:6 he calls the civil authorities "God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing." Taxes are rendered because government is God's provision for orderly life, and even ungodly rulers serve in this ministerial role. Human government itself began after the flood when God commanded in Genesis 9:6, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." This gave man authority over his fellow man. The New Testament confirms that God "hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation" for all nations (Acts 17:26).
Les Feldick takes the clear wording of Romans 13 at face value: every central government is there by divine appointment. He defines the 'higher powers' as civil government, not the Godhead, and applies the passage to every soul—saved and unsaved. When asked about Hitler, Les says without hesitation, "Hitler was there by God's sovereign divine appointment, absolutely." He applies the same truth to American presidents, telling his listeners that whoever is in the White House is there by God's appointment. Even in a democracy, where citizens can freely complain, the government itself is in place by God's design. Les teaches that government exists to be a terror to evil and a protection for those who do good, so that citizens can pursue joy and happiness. It is God's minister even when ungodly, and believers are to live peaceably under it. The only time a believer may resist, in Les's teaching, is when a government commands something contrary to Christian experience or the commands of Scripture. He connects the origin of human government to Genesis 9, where God established capital punishment and gave man authority over his fellow man. He also points ahead to Christ's future kingdom, when the Lord will rule the nations with a rod of iron and the Beatitudes will become the constitution of His government.
Yes. Les Feldick teaches that even Hitler was in power by God's sovereign divine appointment, and that every president in the White House is also there by God's appointment. He quotes Romans 13:1—'the powers that be are ordained of God'—as applying to all civil governments. This does not mean God approves of the ruler's actions; it means the authority structure exists by His permission.
Les Feldick says the believer's first responsibility is to live peaceably under the government. Resisting the power is resisting God's ordinance, and those who resist will receive condemnation (Romans 13:2). The one exception, according to Les, is when a government commands something contrary to the believer's Christian experience and the commands of Scripture. In that case, the believer has every right to say, 'I can't do that.'
Les teaches that government is God's minister even when it is ungodly. He points to Romans 13:6, which says government officials 'are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.' Good government is a blessing, and God even uses harsh rulers to accomplish His purposes. So while not every government is good in its actions, the institution itself is divine.
Les explains that human government began after the flood when God instituted capital punishment. In Genesis 9, God gave man authority over his fellow man to control behavior by dealing with crime. That authority has never been rescinded. Acts 17:26 also shows God determining the times and boundaries of every nation, which undergirds His sovereignty over rulers.
Beginning of Human Government
Les shows that human government began after the flood when God gave man the authority to execute capital punishment.
Hitler by Divine Appointment
When asked if Hitler was ordained by God, Les answers 'absolutely,' and he applies the same truth to American presidents using Romans 13:1.
Resisting Government
Les teaches that to resist civil government is to resist God's ordinance, unless that government commands something contrary to Scripture.
Ungodly Rulers as God's Ministers
Les explains that even ungodly rulers are God's ministers, attending continually to their task, so Christians should pay taxes.
Purpose of Government
Government is meant to be a terror to evil and a protector of good works, which is why citizens are expected to pay taxes.
Divine Appointment of Every Government
Les states that every central government is there by divine appointment, even in a democracy where people can freely complain.
Christ's Future Rule
God's final government will be Christ's benevolent but absolute rule over the nations, with the Beatitudes as its constitution.
God Determines Nations
Les references Acts 17:26 to show God determines the times, boundaries, and habitations of every nation.
Genesis 9:6: Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
This verse marks the beginning of human government, giving man the authority to punish crimes.
Romans 13:1: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
This is the foundational verse showing every governing power is ordained of God.
Romans 13:2: Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
It shows that resisting the government is resisting God's ordinance.
Romans 13:3: For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same.
It describes government's intended role: a terror to evil and a protector of good.
Romans 13:6: For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
It calls government officials God's ministers and gives the reason for paying taxes.
Acts 17:26: And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.
It shows God sovereignly determines the times and boundaries of every nation.
Yes. Les Feldick teaches that even Hitler's government was in place by God's sovereign divine appointment. Romans 13:1 says 'the powers that be are ordained of God.' This applies to all civil authorities, not just good ones.
No. The government's authority comes from God, but that doesn't mean God endorses whatever it does. Les calls ungodly rulers 'God's ministers' in Romans 13:6, yet their works can still be evil.
Les teaches that believers should live peaceably under government and that resisting it is resisting God's ordinance. The one exception is when a government commands something contrary to Scripture or the believer's Christian experience.
Government needs tax money to operate and serve as God's minister for our protection. Les says a certain amount of tax is required if we are going to have a workable government.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Established Capital Punishment | Genesis 9 Explained