I've got to ask, what does your pastor do with 1st Peter 2:13-17
[SUP]13 [/SUP]Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, [SUP]14 [/SUP]or to governors as sent [SUP][p][/SUP]by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. [SUP]15 [/SUP]For [SUP][
q][/SUP]such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. [SUP]16 [/SUP]
Act as free men, and [SUP][
r][/SUP]do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but
use it as bondslaves of God. [SUP]17 [/SUP]Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the [SUP][
s][/SUP]king.
or Romans 13:1-7
Every [SUP][a][/SUP]person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except [SUP][b][/SUP]from God, and those which exist are established by God. [SUP]2 [/SUP]Therefore [SUP][c][/SUP]whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. [SUP]3 [/SUP]For rulers are not a cause of fear for [SUP][
d][/SUP]good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; [SUP]4 [/SUP]for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. [SUP]5 [/SUP]Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. [SUP]6 [/SUP]For because of this you also pay taxes, for
rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. [SUP]7 [/SUP]Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax
is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
or numerous other verses that instruct us to obey the civil authorities?
The first time I heard that out of a pastor's mouth I would get up, walk out, and never return. IMO if a pastor is going to instruct his congregation to go against anything that the Bible is that clear on, how can I trust him to correctly teach me on subjects that might be less clear?