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Can Christian rightly participate in non-violent civil disobedience?
Romans 13:1-7 [1] Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God. [2] And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves. [3] For leaders are not a source of fear to those who work good, but to those who work evil. And would you prefer not to be afraid of authority? Then do what is good, and you shall have praise from them. [4] For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil. [5] For this reason, it is necessary to be subject, not solely because of wrath, but also because of conscience. [6] Therefore, you must also offer tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving him in this. [7] Therefore, render to all whatever is owed. Taxes, to whom taxes is due; revenue, to whom revenue is due; fear, to whom fear is due; honor, to whom honor is due.
Acts 5:17-42 [17] Then the high priest and all those who were with him, that is, the heretical sect of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with jealousy. [18] And they laid hands on the Apostles, and they placed them in the common prison. [19] But in the night, an Angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out, saying, [20] "Go and stand in the temple, speaking to the people all these words of life." [21] And when they had heard this, they entered the temple at first light, and they were teaching. Then the high priest, and those who were with him, approached, and they called together the council and all the elders of the sons of Israel. And they sent to the prison to have them brought. [22] But when the attendants had arrived, and, upon opening the prison, had not found them, they returned and reported to them, [23] saying: "We found the prison certainly locked up with all diligence, and the guards standing before the door. But upon opening it, we found no one within." [24] Then, when the magistrate of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were uncertain about them, as to what should happen. [25] But someone arrived and reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you placed in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people." [26] Then the magistrate, with the attendants, went and brought them without force. For they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned. [27] And when they had brought them, they stood them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, [28] and said: "We strongly order you not to teach in this name. For behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and you wish to bring the blood of this man upon us." [29] But Peter and the Apostles responded by saying: "It is necessary to obey God, more so than men. [30] The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging him on a tree. [31] It is he whom God has exalted at his right hand as Ruler and Savior, so as to offer repentance and the remission of sins to Israel. [32] And we are witnesses of these things, with the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to all who are obedient to him." [33] When they had heard these things, they were deeply wounded, and they were planning to put them to death. [34] But someone in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law honored by all the people, rose up and ordered the men to be put outside briefly. [35] And he said to them: "Men of Israel, you should be careful in your intentions about these men. [36] For before these days, Theudas stepped forward, asserting himself to be someone, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined with him. But he was killed, and all who believed in him were scattered, and they were reduced to nothing. [37] After this one, Judas the Galilean stepped forward, in the days of the enrollment, and he turned the people toward himself. But he also perished, and all of them, as many as had joined with him, were dispersed. [38] And now therefore, I say to you, withdraw from these men and leave them alone. For if this counsel or work is of men, it will be broken. [39] Yet truly, if it is of God, you will not be able to break it, and perhaps you might be found to have fought against God." And they agreed with him. [40] And calling in the Apostles, having beaten them, they warned them not to speak at all in the name of Jesus. And they dismissed them. [41] And indeed, they went forth from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer insult on behalf of the name of Jesus. [42] And every day, in the temple and among the houses, they did not cease to teach and to evangelize Christ Jesus.
Romans 13:1-7 [1] Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God. [2] And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves. [3] For leaders are not a source of fear to those who work good, but to those who work evil. And would you prefer not to be afraid of authority? Then do what is good, and you shall have praise from them. [4] For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil. [5] For this reason, it is necessary to be subject, not solely because of wrath, but also because of conscience. [6] Therefore, you must also offer tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving him in this. [7] Therefore, render to all whatever is owed. Taxes, to whom taxes is due; revenue, to whom revenue is due; fear, to whom fear is due; honor, to whom honor is due.
Acts 5:17-42 [17] Then the high priest and all those who were with him, that is, the heretical sect of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with jealousy. [18] And they laid hands on the Apostles, and they placed them in the common prison. [19] But in the night, an Angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out, saying, [20] "Go and stand in the temple, speaking to the people all these words of life." [21] And when they had heard this, they entered the temple at first light, and they were teaching. Then the high priest, and those who were with him, approached, and they called together the council and all the elders of the sons of Israel. And they sent to the prison to have them brought. [22] But when the attendants had arrived, and, upon opening the prison, had not found them, they returned and reported to them, [23] saying: "We found the prison certainly locked up with all diligence, and the guards standing before the door. But upon opening it, we found no one within." [24] Then, when the magistrate of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were uncertain about them, as to what should happen. [25] But someone arrived and reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you placed in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people." [26] Then the magistrate, with the attendants, went and brought them without force. For they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned. [27] And when they had brought them, they stood them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, [28] and said: "We strongly order you not to teach in this name. For behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and you wish to bring the blood of this man upon us." [29] But Peter and the Apostles responded by saying: "It is necessary to obey God, more so than men. [30] The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging him on a tree. [31] It is he whom God has exalted at his right hand as Ruler and Savior, so as to offer repentance and the remission of sins to Israel. [32] And we are witnesses of these things, with the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to all who are obedient to him." [33] When they had heard these things, they were deeply wounded, and they were planning to put them to death. [34] But someone in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law honored by all the people, rose up and ordered the men to be put outside briefly. [35] And he said to them: "Men of Israel, you should be careful in your intentions about these men. [36] For before these days, Theudas stepped forward, asserting himself to be someone, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined with him. But he was killed, and all who believed in him were scattered, and they were reduced to nothing. [37] After this one, Judas the Galilean stepped forward, in the days of the enrollment, and he turned the people toward himself. But he also perished, and all of them, as many as had joined with him, were dispersed. [38] And now therefore, I say to you, withdraw from these men and leave them alone. For if this counsel or work is of men, it will be broken. [39] Yet truly, if it is of God, you will not be able to break it, and perhaps you might be found to have fought against God." And they agreed with him. [40] And calling in the Apostles, having beaten them, they warned them not to speak at all in the name of Jesus. And they dismissed them. [41] And indeed, they went forth from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer insult on behalf of the name of Jesus. [42] And every day, in the temple and among the houses, they did not cease to teach and to evangelize Christ Jesus.
