First Peter :

SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY

First Peter 2:13-17

When Pilate asked Christ "So you are a king then?" Christ had just told Pilate of His kingdom (Jn. 18:36-37). The occasion for Him doing so, was in total submission to Pilate’s authority. Christ’s reason for doing this seems to suggest that we are just strangers on this planet, and as such we should respect its authority. Christ said that if this was not the case, His followers would have taken up arms and resisted rather than submit to it (Jn. 18:36). So, even though it cost Christ His life, He lived a life that reflected submission to the authorities of this world. This was consistent with His teaching also.

1. Note the following instructions from Christ-

a) Matthew 23:3

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b) Matthew 22:21

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2. To whom does Peter say that Christians should submit? (1Peter 2:13-14)

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3. Peter also gives a reason for submitting. What is this reason? (vs. 13)

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OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLE

Clearly the greatest example of submission to authority in the Old Testament is David. Despite a corrupt, evil king, David recognised that it was God who placed people into positions of responsibility. He often referred to Saul as the Lord’s anointed (1Sam. 24:6). As such he refused to harm or even speak against Saul. On several occasions David had opportunity to kill him, but chose to rather to show his loyalty to Saul, by not killing him.

4. Why did David submit himself so thoroughly to King Saul?

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The nations of the world relate to each other on a daily basis through their embassies. Their embassies are headed by ambassadors. These ambassadors represent the country which appointed them. If someone slanders the nation’s ambassador, they were slandering the nation which he represented. Also, if someone slandered the nation which the ambassador represented, they were also slandering the ambassador. In a similar way, God has appointed ambassadors.

5. To what extent (in what areas, "spiritual" only?) has God appointed leadership? (Rom. 13:1-5)

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13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,

14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.