Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in

Jumpstarter 9 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion
The Myth of Christian America  /  MCA (10 of 14): Persecution of Kingdom Christians  /  Discussion Questions
All Questions
Question 9
Bercot appeals to Romans 13 and Jesus’ “pay Caesar” teaching as reasons kingdom Christians could not rebel after having signed loyalty declarations. How would early Christians—who also lived under an empire they didn’t choose—likely have evaluated the Revolution, and what does that imply about how we interpret “submission to governing authorities” in politically charged times?
Another way to ask: Bercot uses Romans 13 and Jesus’ teaching to “pay Caesar” to say Christians who pledged loyalty couldn’t rebel. How do you think early Christians living under the Roman Empire would have judged the Revolution, and what does that mean for how we read “submit to governing authorities” during political conflict?

Direct Answer Based on Bercot’s reasoning, early Christians likely would have viewed rebellion against lawful authorities as resisting God’s appointed order, especially when it required oaths and violence. This implies that “submission to governing authorities” should be interpreted in a way that prioritizes Jesus’ teachings and conscience over political enthusiasm.

Support from Transcript:

  • Kingdom Christians saw the Test Oath as violating Romans 13: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities… whoever resists… resists the ordinance of God.”
  • Bercot connects this to Jesus’ words: “pay Caesar’s things to Caesar.”
  • Many had already signed a declaration of allegiance to the King when immigrating; their “yes meant yes.”
  • He asks: how could they “sign… loyalty” and then “turn around and rebel?”
  • He frames them as neutral and peaceable, willing “to do nothing to impede” revolutionaries, but not to renounce lawful authority.
  • His closing lesson: Jesus and the apostles had “no political or governmental power,” and Christians walking in his footsteps won’t either.
Discussion Follow-ups How do we tell the difference between faithful submission and fearful compromise? When politics becomes emotionally charged, what helps believers keep Scripture—not party loyalty—at the center?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10
Back Questions Next