Yes — Christians should submit to government because God has ordained and established the governing authorities.
Paul writes that every soul should be subject to the higher powers and that the powers that be are ordained of God. Les Feldick explains that this refers to civil government, not to God, and that rulers carry out God's role as ministers for good and as a terror to evildoers. Even ungodly rulers, he says, are under God's appointment because no government exists apart from God.
Romans 13:1 — This verse directly commands every soul to be subject to the higher powers and states that the powers that be are ordained of God.
Romans 13:1–4 is the key passage: "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." The Bible does not make an exception for rulers we dislike. It says that resisting the power is resisting God's ordinance and brings condemnation. Rulers are God's ministers — they are not a terror to good works but to evil, and they bear the sword as "a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Paul also tells believers to "live peaceably with all men" and not to avenge themselves, leaving vengeance to the Lord (Romans 12:18–19). Additionally, Genesis 9:6 shows the original authorization for human government to execute judgment: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed."
Les makes clear that the "higher powers" in Romans 13 means civil government, not God. He quotes "the powers that be are ordained of God" and applies it to every government, even saying that a Hitler or Saddam Hussein was "ordained of God" because certain events had to happen. He teaches that government is God's minister, bearing the sword to execute wrath on lawbreakers, and that America has a good government that believers should recognize as a blessing rather than take advantage of. On the personal level, Les points to Paul's use of his Roman citizenship when he was beaten without a trial — believers do not have to passively let themselves be abused, though Paul's instruction still is to live peaceably and not avenge themselves. Les also confirms that the authority for capital punishment, given after the flood, has never been rescinded.
Paul's command to be subject to the "higher powers" does not refer to God Himself, but to the civil government that is over us. Les explains that Paul is laying out the role of government in Romans 13 and that every government exists because God has placed it there. So submission is not to the people in office for their own sake but to their God-given position.
Les says yes. He points to Romans 13:1 — "there is no power but of God" — and applies it to leaders like Saddam Hussein and Hitler. He says those governments existed because God ordained that certain events would happen, and He used their authority to accomplish His purposes.
Government is God's minister for good — a terror to evil works, not to good works. According to Paul, it "beareth not the sword in vain" and will "execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Les comments that a policeman should not terrorize law-abiding citizens, but lawbreakers should be afraid. He also notes that since Genesis 9, God has given human government authority to control behavior through capital punishment, and that authority has never been rescinded.
Les points to Paul's example before the Roman magistrates in Philippi. Paul was beaten without a trial as a Roman citizen and refused to simply leave; he asserted his legal privilege. Les does not encourage running to a lawyer at the drop of a hat, but he says that when there is no other way, believers do not have to lay down and let others misuse them because they are Christians. At the same time, Paul writes, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" and "avenge not yourselves."
Paul's Use of Legal Rights
Even though believers should live peaceably, Paul exerted his rights as a Roman citizen when he was mistreated, showing that Christians do not have to passively accept abuse.
Resisting Government Brings Condemnation
Resisting the government is resisting God's ordinance, and those who resist bring condemnation on themselves; government is meant to be a terror to evil, not to good works.
Higher Powers Means Government
In Romans 13, "the higher powers" refers to civil government, not God; Paul is laying out the role of government, and believers should recognize good government as a blessing.
Government as God's Minister
God's ministers in government bear the sword to execute wrath on evildoers, so lawbreakers should fear the authorities.
Every Ruler Is Ordained by God
There is no government except that God puts it there; even ungodly rulers like Hitler or Saddam Hussein were ordained by God because certain events had to happen.
Capital Punishment Never Rescinded
After the flood, God instituted the authority of human government over man, including capital punishment, and this authority has never been rescinded.
The Wages of Sin vs. the Gift of God — Romans 6:23 Explained
Don't even think such a thing, because it's just nowhere near what God is trying to show us. All right, now then, as we go into verse 16. Know ye not that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are? Now, he just brings us into the everyday world. If you are employed by someone, then naturally he is the one who is going to tell you what he expects of you.
Security Under Any Government
Christians in America enjoy a government that at least guarantees rights to assembly and religion, but their security is in God's guarantee through the work of the cross, not in any government.
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 command and reason for submitting to government.
Romans 13:2: Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
This shows the consequence of resisting a divinely appointed government.
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:
This explains that those who do good have nothing to fear from government.
Romans 13:4: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
This describes government's role as God's avenger on evildoers.
Romans 12:18: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
This is Paul's companion instruction for believers to pursue peace with everyone, including those in authority.
Romans 12:19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
This leaves vengeance with God rather than with individuals.
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 is the original authorization for human government to use capital punishment, which Les says still stands.
It refers to civil government, not God. Les Feldick explains that Paul is laying out the role of government in Romans 13, and that the governing authorities are ordained by God.
Yes, according to Les. He says there is no government except that God puts it there; even a Hitler or Saddam Hussein was ordained by God because certain events had to happen.
Les teaches that God gave human government authority to control behavior through capital punishment after the flood, and this has never been rescinded. Genesis 9:6 says that whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.
Watch the Teaching: What Does the Bible Really Say About Obeying Government?