A Balanced Biblical Response to Lockdowns and Masks

Gospel Defence League
P O Box 36129 Glosderry 7702
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021 689 4480
info@gospeldefenceleague.org www.gospeldefenceleague.org
“...contend earnestly for the Faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3
A BALANCED and BIBLICAL RESPONSE to
LOCKDOWNS and MASKS
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has
made us free and do not be entangled again with a yoke of
bondage.” Galatians 5:1
Civil Authority is Delegated, Limited and Accountable
To the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, our Lord Jesus Christ
declared: “You could have no power at all against Me unless
it had been given you from above.” John 19:11. Clearly, all
authority is delegated by God and all authority is answerable to
God. Authority is limited, delegated and accountable to God.
Ministry of Justice
The Bible is very clear that God has instituted civil government
as “an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”
Romans 13:4. Civil governments are called to a minister of
God’s Justice: “to punish those who do wrong.” 1 Peter 2:14
To Protect and to Serve
The Bible makes it clear that the primary duties and responsibilities
of any civil authority are the protection of law-abiding citizens and
the punishment of law-breaking criminals. Psalm 101, reminds us
that the duty of God-honouring rulers is to destroy the wicked, to
root out evil and to protect the law-abiding.
Render Unto Caesar the Things That Are Caesars
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught that we are to: “render therefore to
Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that
are God’s.” Luke 20:25. To illustrate this, our Lord held up a coin
and asked: “Whose image and inscription does it have?” They
answered and said: “Caesars” Luke 20:24. We are to render to
Caesar the things that belong to Caesar (such as taxes).
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And to God the Things That Are God’s
By way of contrast, anything having the image of God (e.g. children) do not belong to the state. Children
are not made in the image of Caesar, but in the image of God. We are to render to Caesar the things
that belong to Caesar. Not everything that Caesar demands. Caesar receives the coin. Everything else
belongs to God.
The Sanctity of Life
The sanctity of life is the foundation for the establishment of all government. For this reason, God
commanded that: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image
of God, He made man.” Genesis 9:6
Respect for Life
The priority of any government is to protect the right to life of preborn babies and every other law-abiding
member of society. Because those made in the image of God have inherent value, God has declared that
anyone who takes the life of an innocent human being is to be executed. Murderers forfeit their lives by
showing contempt for the lives of others (Exodus 21:12-16; Leviticus 24:17-22; Numbers 35:33; Romans
13:4; 1 Peter 2:14).
The Creation Mandate
The Creation Mandate clearly includes the right to life, to liberty and to private ownership of property. “Be
fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the
birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28
Decentralisation to Restrain the Depravity of Man
Because of the depravity of man, God requires a decentralised state with most responsibilities and
powers resting on local government, the family and the individual (Exodus 24:1; Deuteronomy 1:13-17;
Acts 17:26).
Centralisation of Power is a Pagan Tendency
Centralisation of power in a unitary state has always been a pagan tendency, as seen in Nineveh, Egypt
and Babel (Genesis 10:11; 11:1).
Checks and Balances
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is necessary to limit and divide the powers
of government in a system of checks and balances. Biblically, governments need to be separated into
Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of
government (Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 33:22).
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The Four Spheres of Government
God has instituted four spheres of government:
1. Self-government – symbolised by our conscience
(Proverbs 16:32; 1 Timothy 3:4-5; 2 Peter 1:6);
2. Family government – symbolised by the rod of
discipline (Deuteronomy 6:1-7; Ephesians 6:1-4;
1 Timothy 3:4-5);

3. Church government – symbolised by the keys of church discipline (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:1-13;
Titus 1:5-9);
4. Civil government – symbolised by the Sword of Justice (Genesis 9:5-7; Romans 13:1-4;
1 Peter 2:13-14).
“… where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
Civil Servants Are to Serve
In the teachings of our Lord, it is clear that civil authorities are to be public servants (Matthew 20:25-
28); “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and those who exercise authority over
them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among
you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.” Luke 22:25-26
Government Is to Serve its Citizens
It is for this reason that officials in civil government are
called: “ministers,” or servants/deacons of God (Romans
13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14). The concept that civil government
is a servant of its citizens is uniquely a Christian idea
that originated from these verses, hence the term “Prime
Minister” – as the First Servant.
Lex Rex
In the landmark book, Lex Rex (or The Law and the
Prince), written by Samuel Rutherford (published in 1644),
the Reformation principle is expounded that to be valid,
all law needs to be rooted and grounded in God’s Law.
For centuries, the prevailing philosophy had been Rex
Lex, the Latin phrase meaning that the King is the law.
The Reformers reversed this Latin Phrase to Lex Rex. The Law is King! The King is under the law. All
civil authority is delegated by God and is limited and answerable to God. Obedience to tyrants and unjust
laws is rebellion against God.
In Defence of Liberty Against Tyrants
Similarly, the Huguenot book: Vindiciae
Contra Tyrannos (In Defence of Liberty
Against Tyrants), makes the point that as
citizens owe allegiance to their king, the
king owes allegiance to the King of kings. If
the king is in rebellion to the King of kings,
we may not join in that king’s rebellion. We
have a higher allegiance. Scottish Reformer,
John Knox, declared “Resistance to tyrants
is obedience to God!”
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Refusal to Obey Wicked Decrees is Commended by God
Hence, when pharaoh of Egypt ordered the midwives to kill newborn Hebrew boys, “the midwives feared
God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.” Exodus
1:17. This act of disobedience to the wicked command of Pharaoh is commended in the Hall of Faith. “By
faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a
beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.” Hebrews 11:23
When Authorities Attempt to Limit the Fulfilment of the Great
Commission
We read that the Sanhedrin commanded the Apostles: “…not to speak
at all nor teach in the Name of Jesus.” Acts 4:18. “But Peter and John
answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to
listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak
the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20
Prayer for Boldness, to Disobey the Sanhedrin, Blessed by God
Despite further threats, the disciples of Jesus prayed for the boldness
to disobey the Sanhedrin. “Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant to
Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your Word… And
when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together
was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke
the Word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29, 31
We Must Obey God Rather Than Man
When the Apostle Peter was arrested and brought again before
the Sanhedrin, the High Priest
demanded: “Did we not strictly
command you not to teach in this
name? And look, you have filled
Jerusalem with your doctrine
and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us! But Peter and the other
apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than
men.’” Acts 5:28-29
Only God is All-Knowing, All-Wise and Infallible
Government is not God. They are not our Lord and Saviour! They are
not all-knowing. Nor are governments all-wise. Governments are not
infallible. Only God, our Creator and Eternal Judge is all-knowing,
all-wise, everywhere present and infallible. God’s Law is real Law. All
man-made laws must be grounded in God’s Law and must flow from
the principles of the Law of God. Any Law not consistent with God’s
Law is no law at all. It is invalid. “To the Law and to the testimony!
If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because there
is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20.

Truth Does Not Fear Investigation
“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free… Therefore, if the Son makes you
free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:32, 36
Lockdown Lunacy Economic Suicide
The Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020 have been
unjustified by scientific research. Covid-19 has
not proven to be anything near as deadly as the
Bubonic plague, nor as devastating as the Spanish
Flu. There is no proven medical justification for
locking down over 3 billion people and committing
what amounted to economic suicide. Although the
term “suicide” suggests a voluntary act, economic
murder would be more accurate. The jobs of tens of
millions of people worldwide have been undermined
and destroyed. Big Tech, Big Pharma and Big
Government have united to crush family businesses
and the small entrepreneurs. The Covid-19
Lockdowns have proven to be a cover for colossal
corruption and for communist centralisation and
control. “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity
for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in
this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’” Galatians 5:13-14
The Committee for Public Safety
The French Revolution was government by a committee. The so-called “Committee for Public Safety” under
the chairmanship of Maximillian Robespierre, chose who to guillotine. Over 40,000 Frenchmen lost their
heads to the guillotine by order of the Committee for Public Safety. A further 300,000 were killed by firing
squads and millions more died in the ruinous 25-years of Revolutionary wars that flowed from the French
Revolution.
Government by Committee
The word Soviet means Committee. As in the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics (USSR). Hence, when the South African
ANC government chose to sideline parliament and replace
it with a committee of 6 who they assured us “consult their
ancestors”! It was an ominous sign. Not only has parliament
been sidelined, but the Bill of Rights has been effectively
suspended by martial law-type lockdowns and curfews.
Unconstitutional
No law is valid if it violates the Bill of Rights. Yet, the extraordinary Covid-19 state of emergency/disaster
has violated the essential freedoms of religion, belief and opinion; freedom of conscience; freedom of
thought; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; freedom of association; freedom of assembly
and freedom to demonstration; freedom of movement and freedom of trade, occupation, trade and
profession. The lockdown was clearly unconstitutional. No politicians have the right to declare people’s
livelihoods “non-essential!”
Suffocating Society
The lockdown has also seriously curtailed the “freedom for cultural, religious and linguistic communities
to gather and practise their religion in free association with others.”
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Unnecessary and Counter-Productive
The lockdown also violated principles of the rule of law by presumption of guilt. If masks work, why were
lockdowns necessary? If lockdowns work, why are masks necessary? Why wear masks when on your
own in your home, or car? Why do people walking alone outdoors need to wear a mask? Is there any
medical science justifying such extraordinary and unprecedented requirements?
The Covid Cult
We are facing a Covid cult with dogmatic demands to accept and comply, to submit and not question.
Anyone questioning the masquerade is subject to shunning and inquisition-like persecution.
Covid-1984
No wonder many are referring to it as Covid-1984. George Orwell’s
prophetic warning political satire 1984, seems ominously relevant today.
Where the Ministry of Truth deals with lies, the Ministry of Plenty deals
with starvation and rationing, the Ministry of Love deals with torture
and the Ministry of Peace deals with war. The media communicate
in newspeak and double-think and anyone questioning the official party
line are guilty of a Thought crime and forced by Thought Police. Those
questioning the politically correct narrative can become unpersons,
vapourised and disappear down the memory hole.
Blatant Hypocrisy
The hypocrisy, double-standards and inconsistency of those advocating social distancing could be seen
in the bizarre leftist justification of BLM-ANTIFA/EFF riots by the same people who condemned antilockdown
protests as “threats” to “spreading the virus”!
Unprecedented
Ignoring real crime and real threats, governments have poured unprecedented amount of resources
and energy into enforcing mindless requirements for even children at school to wear masks all the time
and locking down even churches over Easter. To this day, many congregations are not able to gather as
government regulations have prevented any churches meeting in a school, scout or guide hall. Right of
assembly has been suspended.
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Disproportionate
When restaurant and hospitality industry workers peacefully protested in Cape Town, they were meet with
unprecedented violence by police, who had stood by doing nothing while mobs looted, burned and ransacked.
However peaceful restauranteurs and hospitality workers were water cannoned, had stun grenades thrown
at them and tear gas used to disperse their orderly march.
“And that they may come to their senses and escape
the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by
him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26
Masks Dehumanise
Masks dehumanise. This is the reason why people placed
in front of firing squads traditionally have been made to
wear a mask. This is not because of any concern for the
person about to be shot, it is because it makes the task of
the firing squad easier when the victim is dehumanised by
having their face obscured. It has long been recognised
that forcing Muslim women in the Middle East to wear a
veil is dehumanising.
Anonymity Encourages Irresponsibility and
Unaccountability
France forbade women to wear masks/veils in public for
multiple reasons, including not to obscure one’s identity, responsibility for actions, or accountability for
behaviour. Facial recognition, much like number plates on cars and trucks are essential in a law-abiding
society. Interestingly enough, South African law concerning protests passed in 1996, forbids the wearing
of masks at any protest. This is so that people’s identity can be determined in the event of any irresponsible
action to be able to call each person to account for what they have done. Crime seeks anonymity.
Unmask the Masquerade
There is a need for courage, integrity and steadfastness. The Cultural Mandate of Genesis 1:28 and the
Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20, are being stifled and suffocated by lockdown regulations. We
need to unmask the truth behind the masquerade.
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Where the Battle Rages Loyalty is Proved
As professor Martin Luther so eloquently described: “If I profess with the loudest
voice and clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except precisely
that point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not
confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle
rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the
battle front besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.”
No Government Has the Right to Interfere in the Cultural Mandate or the Great Commission
Civil authorities have greatly overreached themselves and exceeded their authority when they infringed
on the essential activities of employers and employees, economic or agricultural enterprises, or the
fulfilment of the Creation Mandate and the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We must obey God rather than man.
Dr. Peter Hammond
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