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which thry would be if the officials of earthly govern. ments were meant]." The word "ministers", as used in this text, is from the Greek leitourgos, and is the same word usrd to derive the English word "liturgy". Who, then, are God's leit01lrgos (ministers)? The word ministers is used to translate the word leitolll'[JOS ia the following texts also, which texts prove beyond all doubt that they are God's anointed ministers ministering in and for the church. (Heb. 1: 7; 8:],2,6; 9:21; 10:11; Acts 13:2; Rom. 15:16; Phil. 2: 17, 25) 'fhen adds the apostle: 'Tlwse minis, tr]'s of Cod arc attending upon this very thing.' Therelly he clearly means that the office of such ministel'S is to maintain order and authority in the church. His arg'ument is, then, that there might be order anJ peace, and for conscience' sake the Imvs of the land should he obeyed "'here they do not conflict with God 's I~;w. 21 "Render then'fore to all [whether in:,ide the church or outside thereof I .. , trihute to whom tribute is due; custom to 'whom cllstom." The words "t rihute" and "custom" both refer to a commercial or financial obligation which the government may lay upon t hOfie who refiide thereundel' to meet tho governJ:H:ntal expenses, Jesus and his disciples paid such tax. In reply to the question as to whether or not it w~:s proper to pay taxes to the Roman government Jesus said: "Render thc'rcforo unto C~psar tho things that al'O Ca~fiar 's, and unto God tho things that aro CotI'N.' '-:latt, 22: 18-21. 22 But what docs the apostlo moan when he says in tho sarno verse: "Fear to whom fear [is duo'l "? Does he mean that it is the will of God that tho Christian is to stand in awe of or in fear of the appointed servants of the church? The clergy, elders and others of cong'l'egations have used this scripture as an authority for demanding that rewrence and fear he given to them hy the eong-regation. Such application of the text is Ton~·. Whom, then, do the memhers of the church pro11'1'1y fear? The following scriptures gin~ 2.nSi'er. "J "Submitting yourselves ono to ~Ulother in the fear of (;od." (Eph. fi: 21) "Be respectful to all; love the brotherhood; fear God; honor the King, Let houfiehold sen ants be subject vith all fear to their masters; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the pe1erse." (1 Pet. 2: 17, 18, Diaglott) "But even if you suffer on account of righteousness, you arc blefised.. d fear not with their fear, nor be alarmed; but sanctify the anointed Lord in your hearts, and be alwa,vs prepared with a defence for everyone demanding an account of the hopo that is in you; but with meekness and fear." (1 Pet. 3: 14, 15, Diaulott) "Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be
- YOUl' fear, and let him be your dread. "-Isa. S
- 13.
24 The Christian is not to fear man. "The fear of. man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust ill
BROOKLYN,
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the Lord shall be safe." (Prov, 29: 25) Those who have an abiding confidence in God do not fear what man may do unto them. "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the [Gentile] king's commandment. By faith he forsook T'Jgypt, not fearing the wrath of thl) [Gentile] king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. "-Heb. 11: 23, 27. 2;; It is entirely Scriptmal, and therefore right, for Christians to show n'spect for one another in tht) church, because tho Lord has set the members there. The apostle speaks of those in the church who follow a selfish course and" despise government", and whom the IJonl will punish. Of sueh it is written: "Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they arc not afraid to speak evil of dignities." (2 Pet. 2: 10) "Likeyisc also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despiso dominion, aud speak eyil of dignities, "-Jude 8. 2G Says the apostle: "Honour to whom honour [is duel" 'What does he mean by those words? The Scripturcs make it clear as to whom the Christian should honor. "For the Father judgl'1.h no man, but hath committed all judgment nnto the SOil: that all men shall honom' the Son, cyen <1S tll('y honour the Father, lIe that honoureth not the Son hOl1011l'C·th nol' the Father whieh hat h sent him." (.John G: 22, 23) "Bc rcspedful to all; ]OC the brotherhoou; fear God; honor the King [Christl." (1 Pet. 2:17, Diaglott) If an elder in the church lahars aeeording to the ,Yard of truth for the intlTests of the kinguom, then he is entitled to double honor or resprct. If he opposes the ,,'mk of the Lord and the instruction concerning t he Lord's work, thrn he is not entitled to any honor, (1 Tim. G: 17) "hrreforo the IJord Cod of Israel saith, I said inJeed that thy house, and the house of thy fathcr, should walk beforo me for ever; but now the Lord saith, De it far from me; for t helll that honour me I will hOllour; and they that despise me shall be li;,;'11t]y esteemed, "-1 Sam, 2: 30. 27" Owe no man any thing, but to 10'e one another: for he that loyeth another hath fulfilled the lay," (Yel'se S) Here is laid down the rule that Christiall'; o"e a duty to one another to love Olle another, th::r is to say, to unselfishly safeguard the interests of onc another in the chmch. They should diligently seek to do good one unto another. Herein is found the real reason why Christians should be ohedient unto all laws that arc right. REASON FOR OBEYI:>JG 28 "For this, Than shalt not commit adultery, Thou Nhalt not kilJ, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not hear false witness, Thou shalt not co'ct; and if there be any other rommandment, it is briefly comprehemlcd in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Versc 9) Whcn the apostle hero
