Chapter 36) THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT

1. We believe that, because of the depravity of mankind, our gracious God has ordained kings, princes, and civil officers.¹ He wants the world to be governed by laws and policies,² in order that the licentiousness of men be restrained and that everything be conducted among them in good order.³ For that purpose He has placed the sword in the hand of the government to punish wrongdoers and to protect those who do what is good (Rom 13:4). Their task of restraining and sustaining is not limited to the public order but includes the protection of the church and its ministry in order that *the kingdom of Christ may come, the Word of the gospel may be preached everywhere,⁴ and God may be honoured and served by everyone, as He requires in His Word.Moreover, everyone – no matter of what quality, condition, or rank – ought to be subject to the civil officers, pay taxes, hold them in honour and respect, and obey them in all things⁵ which do not disagree with the Word of God.⁶ We ought to pray for them, that God may direct them in all their ways and that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way (1 Tim 2:1-2).

1. Prov 8:15; Dan 2:21; John 19:11; Rom 13:1
2. Exo 18:20
3. Deut 1:16; Deut 16:19; Judg 21:25; Psalm 82; Jer 21:12; Jer 22:3; 1 Pet 2:13-14
4. Psalm 2; Rom 13:4 a; 1 Tim 2:1-4
5. Mat 17:27; Mat 22:21; Rom 13:7; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet 2:17
6. Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29

2. For that reason we condemn the Anabaptists and other rebellious people, and in general all those who reject the authorities and civil officers, subvert justice,⁷ introduce a communion of goods, and confound the decency that God has established among men.

7. 2 Pet 2:10; Jude 8

3. *The following words were deleted here by the General Synod 1905 of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland): all idolatry and false worship may be removed and prevented, the kingdom of antichrist may be destroyed.