The president, the congress, the general assemblies, the governors, and the councils of state, as the delegates of the people, are the rulers of the United States, according to the division of power made to them by the Constitution of the United States, and by the Constitution of their respective states.  And the said states are a sovereign and independent nation, and ought not to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction.

*The twenty-third Article of Religion in the Disciplines of all our church in foreign lands shall read: It is the duty of all Christians, and especially of all Christian ministers, to observe and obey the laws and commands of the governing or supreme authority of the country of which they are citizens or subjects, or in which they reside, and to use all laudable means to encourage and enjoin obedience to the powers that be.

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From the outset, we must acknowledge that understanding and applying this Article can be difficult. The Christian’s relationship to civil authority has always been complicated, made more so by the fact that some people would like a blanket rule that we must always do as we are told. In contrast, others would like a blanket rule to justify always doing as they themselves see fit. The Holy Scripture, however, never gives us either of these options; instead, it calls us to discernment. 

Additionally, this Article is also difficult because, to align it with its original version, which John Wesley drafted for the Methodists in England, the language here describes the elected officials of the United States as “Rulers”. This word choice has sometimes led to confusion, because the governmental structures laid out in the Constitution of the United States of America do not refer to rulers but rather to servants. As such, the use of the word “Ruler“ in this Article should be understood as descriptive and not prescriptive. 

The intent of the Article is to affirm that God ultimately establishes civil leadership. The Article is not intended to negate the Constitution’s emphasis on self-governance and the Rule of Law. To the extent that civil leadership is elected to represent the People of the United States, and that observing the laws enacted by them in the due course of their elected offices does not directly conflict with the Word of God, Christians should submit to the authority that God has ordained for His own providential purposes.

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Reflect on the following Biblical texts. What are your thoughts on the way they reveal this doctrine to us? Discuss your answers with your pastor/group leader.

Genesis 1:26-31 

Exodus 18:1-27 (cf. Exodus 1:1-2:10) 

John 19:1-11 

Acts 5:17-32 / Acts 23:1-5 

Romans 13:1-14 (cf. Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17)

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Use the following questions to summarize what you have learned about this Article of Faith. Discuss your answers with your pastor/group leader. 

What is the difference between that which is Righteous and that which is legal? 

What is the difference between that which is Sinful and that which is illegal? 

What is the difference between that which is Righteous and that which is legal? 

Why must we discern between when it is proper to submit to civil authority and when it is not? 

How do we discern between when it is proper to submit to civil authority and when it is not? 

How should we submit to civil authority when it is ungodly, but not in conflict with the Holy Scripture? 

How should we resist civil authority when it is ungodly and in conflict with the Holy Scripture? 

How does this doctrine affect the practice of our faith? 

Notes: