Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1961 - Rparchives.org

76 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
included in our Synod report. We are sure that all the Fathers
and Brethren will realize the enormity of our task and therefore
bear with us as we in weakness endeavor to do the Lord's work.
H. B. Harrington, Chairman
J. G. Vos
C. R. McBurney
W. G. McMillan
K. L. Kennedy
Proposed Chapter 29-Of CivU Government
Section 1. God commands the establishment of civil government.
God so created man that man needs civil government to
provide for an orderly society and to advance his welfare. Since
the fall, civil government is also essential for the restraint of
evil, the safety of law-abiding citizens, and the punishment of
evildoers. Rom. 13:1-4; Gen. 9:6.
Section 2, God alone is sovereign. God has given the exercise
of all authority to the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the Divine
Lawgiver, Governor and Judge. His will concerning the purpose
of civil government and the principles regarding its functions and
operation are revealed in the written Word of God. Deut. 4:39;
Dan. 4:32; Dan. 4:25; Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:10; Eph. 1:22.
Section 3, Every nation ought by constitutional statement or
equivalent enactment to recognize the Divine institution of civil
government, the sovereignty of God as exercised by Jesus Christ,
and its duty to rule the civil affairs of men in accordance with the
will of God. It should serve to advance the Kingdom of God on
earth. The negligence of civil government in any of these particulars
is sinful, makes the nation liable to the wrath of God, and
threatens the continued existence of the government and nation.
Phil. 2:10; Rom. 13:4; Isa. 60:10; Ps. 2:10-12; Ps. 148:11.
Section 4, No particular form of civil government is commanded
in the Scriptures. Any form of civil government is acceptable
to God if it is adequate to preserve justice and order in
human society, and observes the limitations set upon it by God
in His revealed Word. Ex. 18:21,22; II Sam. 22:3; Prov. 29:14;
Isa. 54:14; Deut. 1:9-17.
Section 5, All officers and employees of a civil government,
however they obtain their positions, are to be servants of God for
good. They are responsible to God for the discharge of lawful
duties assigned to them by human authority. Neither their official
position, however, nor the orders of their superiors, nor the will
of the people, exonerates them from blame for any unscriptural
action. Rom. 13:3,4; II Chron. 19:6,7.
Section 6. No civil government which deprives men of civil
or religious liberty, fails to protect human life, or proposes to
force men to do violence to the spirit and precepts of the Chris-