Foundations for Freedom

GOD and GOVERNMENT
– Foundations for Freedom
By Dr. Peter Hammond

"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the ways and see,
and ask for the old paths, where the good way
is and walk in it; then you will find rest for
your souls… Also, I set watchmen over you,
saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'…"
Jeremiah 6:16-17

The Bible continually warns us:
"lest satan should take
advantage of us; for we are
not ignorant of his devices."
2 Corinthians 2:11

"But I fear, lest somehow,
as the serpent deceived Eve
by his craftiness,
so your minds may be corrupted
from the simplicity that is
in Christ."
2 Corinthians 11:3

"Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe,
lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ,
who is the image of God, should shine on them." 2 Corinthians 4:4

“You adulterous people,
do you not know that friendship
with the world is hatred towards God?
Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world
becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4

“…‘You see the distress that we are in, how
Jerusalem lies waste and its gates are burned with
fire. Come and let us build up the walls…
that we may no longer be a reproach.’”
Nehemiah 2:17

“If you hold to
My teaching,
you are really
My disciples.
Then
you will
Know
the truth,
and the truth
will set you
free.”
John 8:31-32

1. In the Bible freedom always means the liberty to
obey God. It is the freedom to know God's will and
to do it. Biblical freedom is therefore within the safe
boundaries of the Law of God.

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will
enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does
the will of My Father who is in Heaven." Matthew 7:21
(John 8:32; Romans 8:2; Genesis 1:28.)

2. To the
Christian,
freedom is
more of a
responsibility
than a right.
This involves
doing unto others
what we would
want done to us.

"You, my brothers, were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;
rather, serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13-14

The entire Law is summed up in a single command.
'Love your neighbour as yourself.'"
Galatians 5:13-14 (1 Corinthians 8:9.)

3. We are warned to beware of those who promise freedom
but are themselves slaves of depravity.

In the Bible God forbids state interference outside of the realms of
national defence, law and order and justice.

For example: The Word of God forbids any taxation as high as
10% and excludes the taxation of property and inheritance.

"They promise them freedom, while they
themselves are slaves of depravity for a
man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." 2 Peter 2:19
(John 8:34; Acts 8:23; Romans 6:16; 1 Samuel 8:15-18; 1 Kings 21:3.)

4. True freedom can only come where
Jesus Christ is obeyed as Lord.

"Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17.

5. Freedom has to be based upon,
and in accordance with,
the Ten Commandments.
Adherence to God’s perfect Law of
Liberty, the Ten Commandments would
ensure true religious freedom
- freedom to worship and serve
the only true God,
the Creator and sovereign Lord
of the universe
- the only source of freedom.

And it would protect freedom of worship, speech, time, families,
life, love, morality, property, truth, reputation and conscience.
"The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The
statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple."
Psalm 19:7 (Exodus 20:3-17.)

6. It is not acceptable to justify evil in the name of freedom. There
can be no freedom for blasphemy, perversion, sodomy, cruelty
to animals, rape and child abuse (such as occurs in satanism)
in any civilised country.

Nor can the murder of human life in the womb (abortion) or the
exploitation of women's bodies for profit (pornography and/or
prostitution) be tolerated. We affirm the sanctity of life from
conception to natural death.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be
burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Galatians 5:1 (Proverbs 6:16-19; Colossians 3:5-10.)

7. Religious freedom must include freedom for parents to
educate their children according to the Bible -
whether through state schools, independent Christian schools
or home schooling.

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead, bring
them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4
(Deuteronomy 6:1-7; Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:8.)

8. Religious freedom must include the freedom to proclaim the
God of the Bible to be the only true and living God, and to
objectively point out the errors in other religions.

"Jesus answered,
'I am the way
and the truth
and the life.
No one comes
to the Father
except through
Me.'" John 14:6
(Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:4, 5;
Deuteronomy 30;
1 Kings 18:21.)

9. Any attempt by the state to register, or regulate, churches,
missions or Christian organisations such as schools and radio
ministries would be an intolerable breach of religious freedom.

Any proposals to establish a department of religious affairs or the
taxation of Christian ministries must therefore be rejected as
unacceptable interference by the state in religious matters and as
a step towards state control of the Church.

"Peter and the other apostles replied: 'We must obey
God rather than men!" Acts 5:29 (1 Peter 2:13-16; Ezra 7:23-24.)

10. True freedom
comes from
within.
The foundations
for a truly free nation
can only be laid
in characters, hearts,
minds, lives and families
changed
by the Grace of God.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will
be able to test and approve what God's will is, His good,
pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
(Proverbs 16:32; Matthew 15:19; Psalm 1; Ezekiel 36:26; John 3:3.)

Biblical Principles
which bless any country

We want God to bless our nation
Therefore we want a civil government which:
1. Recognises God as the highest source of
authority.

2. Is committed to upholding the right to life of
the innocent – including pre-born babies.

3. Is committed to upholding human dignity
and moral standards.

4. Shows love and concern for our neighbours by
upholding human dignity and moral standards.

5. Protects people from the exploitation and
abuse of pornography.

6. Effectively deters crime by prompt and
appropriate punishment of criminals.

7. Respects parental responsibility for the education of
their children and therefore parental authority over
schools, teachers and textbooks.

Foundational Principles which God blesses.
This is what we should stand for:
1. The Bible is the revealed Word of God –
perfect and complete, inspired and inerrant.

2. The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ “God from God,
Light from Light, True God from True God; begotten
not made, of one substance with the Father.
Through Him all things were made.” (Nicean Creed)

3. Salvation by
the grace of
God alone,
based upon
the blood
Atonement
of Christ’s death
upon the Cross
of Calvary
– received by
Faith.

7. The Right to protection from the exploitation
and abuse of pornography.

8. Christian Responsibility to be ‘salt and light’ in
society, to honour God and to love our neighbour.

9. The Lordship of Jesus Christ in all areas of
life. “All authority in heaven and on the earth
has been given to Me.” Matt 28:18

10.The fulfillment of the Great Commission to “… make
disciples of all the nations … teaching them to obey
all that I have commanded you.” Matt 28:19

Biblical Principles for GOVERNMENT

When Professor John Wycliffe of Oxford University produced
the first hand-written translation of the New Testament into
English (in the 14th Century), he wrote in the preface:

“The Bible is given for
the government of the people,
by the people,
and for the people.”

American President,
Abraham Lincoln,
quoted from Wycliffe
in his famous
Gettysburg Address
when he said:

“that government of the people, by the people, and for
the people shall not perish from the face of the earth.”

Lincoln also noted that: “The philosophy of the
classroom will become the philosophy of the
government in the next generation.”

While most groups today emphasise external solutions
to our many social problems – salvation through
politics, or through changed social structures and laws

– the teachings of Christ emphasize the need for internal
change – within our hearts and minds. “For out of the heart
come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality,
theft, false testimony, slander…” Matthew 15:19

True freedom
comes from within.
The foundations for
a truly free and
prosperous nation
can only be laid in
characters, minds
and lives changed by
the grace of God.

In order to be successful, a society needs to be
made up of honest citizens who will not steal,

diligent workers who are hard working and
productive,

compassionate families who are concerned for their neighbours,

responsible workers who will fulfill their obligations
and be faithful stewards of public resources.

For nations to be strong, their families need to be strong.

For governments to be good, their citizens need to be good.

Those who cannot control themselves are not
capable of ruling over a city (Proverbs 16:32).

Those who cannot manage their household well are not
qualified to lead others (1 Timothy 3:4 – 5).

The only hope for Africa
is to return
in repentance to God,
rediscover the
Biblical agenda
and restore
Biblical principles
into every aspect
of personal
and community life.

Many people labour under the delusion that the
Bible has nothing to say concerning social
structures, constitutional models or political
affairs.
“. . . where the Spirit
of the Lord is, there
is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17

However, while approximately 29% of the Bible deals with
spiritual matters and our personal lives, 71% of the Bible deals
with social, political and national issues.
29%
71%
Bible
Social, Political
and National
Issues
Spiritual Matter
and Personal
Lives

Our Lord Jesus Christ taught important spiritual principles and
concepts that affect every area of social and political life.

To the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, Jesus said: “You
would have no authority over Me,
unless it had been given to you from above” John 19:11.
Civil authority is clearly delegated by and answerable to God.

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).

The civil government is called to be a minister of God’s
justice: “to punish those who do wrong” (1 Peter 2:14).

The primary duties and responsibilities of civil
government 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.

Jesus taught that we are to: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God
what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). The civil government does have
certain legitimate rights and responsibilities, but these are very limited.

We are to pay taxes (but any taxation as high as 10% was condemned as:
“oppressive” 1 Samuel 8:10–18), to serve in the military when required,
to testify in court as a witness to any crime, and to respect the life,
property and reputation of our neighbours.

However, our worship of God, the education of our children,

our
private
property,
our
individual
enterprise

and personal views (freedom of worship, freedom of
education, free enterprise, freedom of speech) are clearly not
made in the image of Caesar and are outside of the lawful
jurisdiction of a Bible-based constitutional state.

Our Lord
upheld the
authority of
the moral,
social,
economic and
political Laws
of God as
recorded in the
Old
Testament:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the
Law or the prophets; I have not come to
abolish them, but to fulfill them.

I tell you truth until Heaven and earth disappear, not
the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will
by any means disappear from the Law…

anyone who breaks one of the least of these Commandments
and teaches others to do the same will be called the least in
the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever practices and teaches
these Commandments will be called great in the Kingdom of
Heaven.” Matthew 5:17 – 19

In His public teaching, Jesus
affirmed the Old Testament Laws
against murder, theft and
adultery (Matthew 5:21 – 27);
the dishonoring of parents
(Matthew 15:4);
and perjury (Matthew 19:18).

The Lord also affirmed the
right to
private ownership of
property and the
free market exchange
and profit
(Luke16:11;19:12–27;
Matthew 20:1– 15; 25:14 – 30).

Our Lord also taught that civil authorities are to be
public servants (Matthew 20:25 – 28):
you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like
the one who serves.” Luke 22:25 – 26
“The kings of the gentiles lord it over them; and those who
exercise authority over them call themselves benefactors.
But you are not to be like that. Instead the greatest among

God has instituted 4 spheres of government:

Self government – symbolised by our conscience
(Prov 16:32; 1 Tim 3:4-5; 2 Peter 1:6);

Family government – the rod of discipline
(Deut 6:1-7; Eph 6:1-4; 1 Tim 3:4-5);

Church government – the keys of church discipline
(Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9);

Civil government – the sword of justice
(Gen 9:5-7; Romans 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14)

God established, in the government of Israel,
ten key principles of freedom:

1. A written constitution (covenant) based
on the revealed Word of God (Exodus 20; Deut 5-
8; John 19:11). A Biblical constitution will clearly
define and restrict the power of government. It
should act as a chain to keep rulers from abusing
power. It must be written so that it is specific,
clear and permanent.

“The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise
the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy
to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever . . .” Psalm 19:7-10

2. A separation of powers and functions into
three branches of civil government:

legislative (the Council and Sanhedrin)

and judicial (the elders or judges in each community).

These three functions of government are based on how the
Lord revealed His Government (Isaiah 9:6, 7).
“For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver,
the Lord is our King….” Isaiah 33:22

3. An independent judiciary and the right to a fair trial.
(Exodus 23:1-3). “He appointed judges in the land . . . He told them.
‘Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man
but for the Lord, Who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let
the fear of the Lord be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord
our God there is no injustice, or partiality or bribery.’”
Chronicles 19:5-7

In Deuteronomy 19:15-19 the principles for a fair trial are set out: (i) one
is innocent until proven guilty, (ii) the right to due process of law, (iii)
witnesses must personally confront the accused, (iv) a matter must be
established by two or three witnesses, and (v) judges must be impartial.

4. A national
legislature
(law- making body)
where one house
was composed of
representative
judges or officials
elected by the
people
(Deut 1:13-17).

“But select
capable men
from all the people –
men who fear God,
trustworthy men
who hate
dishonest gain
– and appoint them
as officials. . .”
Exodus 18:21

5. A second house in the
legislature was
composed of two
hereditary elders from
each of the 11 tribes (or
geographic areas) of
Israel, in addition to
24 priests
from the tribe of Levi,
and 2 lawyers (scribes)
from each of the 12 tribes.
This unelected (but
appointed) body totalled
70 men and became known
as the Sanhedrin
(Ex. 24:1; Num. 11:16-17).

6. An executive
officer
(Judge or King)
elected with the
guidance of God
and the consent of
the elders
(Deuteronomy 17:16).

“When all the elders of Israel had come King David at
Hebron, he made a compact with them . . . before the
Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the
Lord had promised through Samuel.”
1 Chronicles 11:3

7. A decentralised state with most responsibilities
and powers resting on the local government, the family
and the individual
(Exodus 24:1; Deuteronomy 1:13-17, Acts 17:26).

Centralisation of power
in a unitary state has
always been a pagan
tendency as seen in
Nineveh and Babel
(Genesis 10:11 and 11:1).

As power corrupts,
it is wise to limit
and divide the
powers of civil
government in a
system of
checks
and
balances.

8. A citizens army (militia) made up of
trained citizens who have the right
and duty to bear arms for the
defence of their home and family,
community and nation
(Numbers 1:2-3; Judges 3:2; Exodus 22:2;
Deut. 20:1-4).
One of the best safeguards against
tyranny is an armed citizenry.
“Do not be afraid of them.
Remember the Lord Who is great and
awesome, and fight for your brothers,
your sons and your daughters, your
wives and your homes.”
Nehemiah 4:14

Local militia units elected their own
commanders (Deut. 20:9), and each soldier
supplied his own basic weapons
(Num. 32:20; 1 Sam. 25:13). This was based
upon the right of each law abiding citizen to
own and use weapons for defence. Any attempt
to prohibit the right of an individual to bear
arms was unBiblical and was a pagan attempt
to centralise (usurp) excessive power
(Judges 5:8;1 Sam. 13:19-22).

9. A free market economy based on the private ownership of
property (Exodus 20:15,17; Deut 19:14) and individual free
enterprise (Eccl 5:19; Prov. 10:2-4; 12:24: 13:4,11;
1 Thess 3:10). Any taxation of 10% or higher was defined as
oppression (1 Samuel 8:10-18), and any taxation of property, or
of inheritance, was strictly forbidden! (1 Kings 21:3).
Institutions and individuals involved in the full time service of
the Lord were not allowed to be taxed (Ezra 7:23,24).
Any unequal or progressive system of taxation was expressly
forbidden (Ex. 30:14-15; Leviticus 19:15).
Biblical economics also forbids unjust weights (unbacked
currency) and measures (inflation) (Leviticus 19:35-36;
Prov. 11:1; 20:10; Amos 8:5-7; Micah 6:11,12).
“. . . proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its
inhabitants . . .” Lev. 25:10

10.An education
programme
controlled by
the parents,
aided by the
church, but
independent of
the state
(Deuteronomy
6:7; Hosea
4:6; Matthew
28:19;
Ephesians 6:4;
Colossians
2:8).

One cannot entrust any state with the moulding of the minds
of the future voters. The control of education should be in
the hands of parents and the content of education must
be moral, character developing and Bible based.

Pray
“I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for … all
those in authority, that you may live peaceful and
quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Tim 2:1-2

Repent
“If My people, who are called by My Name, will
humble themselves and pray and seek My face and
turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from
heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

Expose Evil
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of
darkness but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11

Improve the Community
“… see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem is in ruins,
and its gates have been burned with fire. Come,
let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no
longer be in disgrace.” Nehemiah 2:17

Seek Justice
“… Stop doing wrong, learn to do justice …”
Isaiah 1:16-17

Oppose ungodly rulers
“…you have been weighed in the scales and found
wanting.” Daniel 5:27

Uphold Christian standards
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt looses
its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is
no longer good for anything, except to be thrown
out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13

Disciple the Nations
“… make disciples of all the nations … teaching
them to obey everything that I have commanded
…” Matthew 28:19-20

Select God-fearing leaders
“But select capable men from all the people – men
who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest
gain – appoint them as officials …” Exodus 18:21

“He knows not how to rule a kingdom, that cannot
manage a Province; nor can he wield a Province,
that cannot order a City; nor he order a City,
that knows not how to regulate
a Village, nor he a Village, that cannot guide a Family

that knows not how to govern himself,
neither can any govern himself unless his reason be
lord, and his will and appetite
her vassals;

nor can reason rule
unless herself
be ruled by God
and wholly
be obedient to Him.”
— Hugo Grotius
(17th Century
Dutch Theologian)

As George
Washington declared:
“Religion and
morality are the
indispensable
supports to good
government.”

Biblical Principles
for Political Elections
REFORMING our SOCIETY

Dr Peter Hammond
Reformation Society
P.O. Box 74
Newlands, 7725
Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: (021) 689 4480
Fax: (021) 685 5884
Email: info@ReformationSA.org
Website: www.ReformationSA.org

"So, I sought for a man among them who would make a wall,
and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I
should not destroy it...”
Ezekiel 22:30

Foundations for Freedom

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