Click to join the conversation with over 500,000 Pentecostal believers and scholars
Click to get our FREE MOBILE APP and stay connected
Randy Buchanan | PentecostalTheology.com“HONOR THE EMPEROR…” If you’re a Christ follower who allows a steady diet of Fox News or MSNBC political opinion to shape your thoughts, words and tone of voice, think again… Reading through the Bible and absorbing its Divinely inspired counsel keeps us on the right path in thoughts, words, tone of voice both spoken and written. Consider the Apostle Peter…
The Apostle Peter is in Rome about 64 AD. The Emperor of the Roman Empire is Nero. Yes the same Emperor it is said who torched Rome to rebuild it the way he wanted for his own glory. Under Nero our sisters and brothers in the early Church are being persecuted. Crucified, set on fire as torches, clothed in animal skins to be devoured by lions in the Roman Colosseum. That is the context of Peter’s letter we read today. Recall, Nero is Emperor… The Apostle Peter, who walked with Jesus in real time and place writes, “honor the Emperor” (1 Peter 2:17). Peter writes words of virtue and respect. Is Emperor Nero worthy of such respect? As a person, no, but the office of Emperor is worthy because God ordained the office (see Scripture references below). Remember Peter walked with Jesus. He saw and heard virtue in the incarnate Son of God. Nothing vile came out of the mouth of Jesus toward the Jewish Sanhedrin and the Roman occupation government that collaborated to crucify him. So Peter is living and writing with the virtue of Jesus. He is following the words of the Word of God incarnate, Jesus. So, may our words in voice and script be “honorable” to all public servants should they be Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. Ultimately our Sovereign God is in control (Jeremiah 25:8-9; Mark 12:17; John 19:11; Acts 4:27-28; Romans 13:1-4). In the meantime we are called to pray for “kings and all in high position.” The call to prayer is not quantified by a political party label. Remember, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be on his shoulders…” (Isaiah 9:6a). Christ is in control in the now and certainly the future (Revelation 19: 11,15-16). “For to us a Son is born…” Merry Christmas…
Varnel Watson
Randy Buchanan Another use of liberal Bible translation? Are you telling us that Trump is now burning Rome with the tax reform? Christopher Noel Boggess what is your Bible translation parallel tell us in 1 Peter 2:17?
Ira Huth
No Brother Troy Day The article is saying trust in God, trust in the Holy Spirit within the FRUIT & GIFTS thereof, trust in the Holy Scriptures, and the SIMPLICITY THEREOF, trust that God is in control for those in the Body of Christ that love him and are called according to his purpose. No matter what things may look like to our human, mortal, carnal, corrupt minds. No matter what any given situation looks like at the present time. Don’t trust in any news media reports, don’t trust in any world views and or events ect.. DON’T TRY TO BE INTELLECTUAL IN OUR CURRENT HUMAN FLESHLY CAPACITY. TRYING TO HAVE AN ANSWER AND OUR OWN OPINIONS ON WORLD EVENTS, THEOLOGY, INTERPRETATIONS ECT.. WHO CARES, FOR THAT CAUSES NOTHING BUT MORE CONFUSION, MORE DIVISION, MORE DOUBT, GIVING MORE OF A FOOTHOLD TO SATAN AND HIS POWERS TO KILL STEAL AND DESTROY.
THE SIMPLICITY OF TRUSTING AND LEANING ON GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART AND NOT OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. That is what this post that Brother Randy Buchanan posted is telling us. AND IF ANYONE THINKS THAT IS ANOTHER USE OF A LIBERAL BIBLE TRANSLATION!!! WE NEED TO PRAY THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS THEM BEFORE THEY DAY OF ACCOUNTABILITY. FOR MYSELF AND ALL OF THE BODY FOR BEING A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A HINDERANCE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD!
Varnel Watson
Ira Huth Who is telling us that? Apostle Peter or Randy
Randy Buchanan
Troy Day, you need to learn to read. The very first statements indicate this did not originate with me. I posted it for discussion. So, I’m not trying to tell anyone anything!
I didn’t even notice the translation chosen (maybe because the author didn’t mention it?)
Varnel Watson
Randy Buchanan Perhaps you missed to read what I already asked you after reading what you posted. So are you backing this nonsense or telling us Trump is burning the Republic?
Ira Huth
The Word of God
Varnel Watson
Ira Huth Lucky for us, The Word of God does NOT tell us to honor any emperor as does what Randy Buchanan posted but didnt write
Ira Huth
Troy Day you are missing again the whole point. And you still didn’t answer my previous question. If someone is Kingdom Now will that effect there Salvation and or ability to operate in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit??
Ira Huth
Troy Day The Word of God tells us to love everyone with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit and pray for them.
In hopes that the Holy Spirit will convict their heart of their unrighteousness. That does not mean we agree with them.
And I’m still waiting for the answer of my question.
Street Preacherz
I will ask your patience but I do have a few honest questions. Does intellectual property rights mean anything in this case? Should I be concerned with quotes from unnamed sources and imported ideas? The context, the arguments, the whole is matter not exposed.
Have you also exported ideas not your own from Pentecostal Theology.
Varnel Watson
Ira Huth The word of GOD tells us nowhere to HONOR (not simply love) the emperor It does tell us to love the King though Randy Buchanan you meant different versions differ not from my opinion but from the Greek text of the Bible
Emperor or Caesar in Greek is Καίσαρας
Word used by Peter is βασιλέα – King (used for King of Kings in the Bible)
Peter is not telling us to honor the emperor but the King of Glory Randy Buchanan I hope you are intelligent enough not to think that KJV translators used the word king and not emperor during James VI:)
Varnel Watson
Ira Huth A Korean brother reading this type of discussions recently asked if Korean Christians are supposed to honor Kim Jong-un and his father Kim Jong-il ? The regime in their country uses this verse to demand that Christians honor by bowing and worshiping their party leaders. Same is being done now in government registered churches in China where a picture of their leader is being placed in each church altar
Ira Huth
Come on Troy Day use a little common sense here. The North Korean regime is far from what we’re talking about here. Are you really serious!!! WOW!!! Are you for real!! LOL!!!!!
Varnel Watson
Bro Ira Please help me understand how North Korean regime is far from Nero? Which one is better in your opinion ?
Christopher Noel Boggess
I believe we have to worry more on the state of islam more then nk
Ira Huth
Troy did you even read the article and understood the text. Did you not read my lengthy comment. The key text and subject matter is about a Followers of Christ who allow a constant steady diet of the News media shape their political opinion, thoughts tone of voice words ect .. Instead be divinely inspired with reading and rightly dividing the Word of God which gives us counsel on the right path in thoughts words and deed. It is not literally talking about Nero or any other dictator ect…
Varnel Watson
Christopher Noel Boggess NT authors were notorious for showing in their writings they were NOT subject to the emperor but to their King Jesus
The gospel writers showed Pilate writing Jesus was King
Peter said honor the King (not the emperor)
Paul from prison where he under Roman law was a servant of the emperor said, apostle and slave-bond-servant of Jesus. This statement not only denied belonging to the emperor but made Christ a higher king of the emperor, with more authority to collect emperor’s slaves and make them His own servants
Oh, thank GOD this season for a King coming from Glory
That we serve and honor our Heavenly King to Whom we belong after He bought us with His blood from any earthly emperor, king or president
Christopher Noel Boggess
You should reread peter on that subject he says plainly there
Varnel Watson
Christopher Noel Boggess I actually did today after this post was opened and wrote what I found out Peter is very very clear who we bow to
Christopher Noel Boggess
Varnel Watson
Christopher Noel Boggess This whole post that Wrong Randy did (not) post does not pass any Christian or Bible test. It is simply wrong and Wrong Randy knows it. Why he post it we dont know. Maybe he bows to Trump – who knows? But one thing is clear – this is still America where we bow to no king. And we are still the church who bows to Christ alone. Wrong Randy is wrong again!
Christopher Noel Boggess
If he is let’s correct him in love
Varnel Watson
Bow to no man Christopher Noel not even an emperor
Christopher Noel Boggess
Troy if you truely believe its wrong and false teaching why dont you remove it
Christopher Noel Boggess
Btw i only bow to jesus
Varnel Watson
Chaplain Clayton Hall To rightly quote Joe Absher It is amazing the longevity of this flawed structure we call America. Now to be fair where is the piece on God’s judgment of Iran and Syria and Saudi Arabia? Darfur and Sudan? And the Congo? The evils of this world are not limited to this country neither is his reach short nor the judgment of God slack.
When I think of the offenses men bring to God I often think of the words of Jesus Christ.
Luke 13:3 KJV — I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Link Hudson Scotty Searan
Link Hudson
Are you telling me and Scotty Searan to repent or perish? Odd choice of locaiton for a tag.
Varnel Watson
Link Hudson Locating a tag on the internet(s) is what the internet(s) are all about. Get used to the internet(s) 🙂
Link Hudson
Troy Day I haven’t met anyone who tags like you. You could say, “What do you think Link Hudson and Scotty Searan?”, instead of putting names in the sentence like you are specifically directing the comments toward us.
Varnel Watson
Well Link that’s internet shorthand and is well understood Also, your handle being Link auto tags anytime I would like to type intent linke (have to type it this way so it dont tag you) URL or similar. How is this anyone elses fault that you are intrinsically connected to the internet(s) with the handle you’ve chosen? Now can we talk about OP on honoring the emperor
Link Hudson
Troy Day My mom and dad have called me Link since I was a baby, so take it up with them. 🙂 That’s not what I am talking about. I am talking about using people’s names in or at the end of sentences without making it clear you are tagging. I haven’t seen other people do that the way you do.
Varnel Watson
oh great so that’s not even your real name is it? Link?
Link Hudson
It’s from my middle name
Varnel Watson
how abut that? so what’s you real name ?
Varnel Watson
Good gravy and bisqs in the morning
I am certain I will never tag that long of a handle
Joe Absher
It has always been a honor to vote.
Varnel Watson
So Link are you now stateside or still Thriller from Manilla How is this OP affecting your area of the world where ever that is? (BTW pls note I didnt tag you above and you never knew I was talking to you)
Link Hudson
In Indonesia for nearly another month. Trump does not deem that popular here because of the Muslim majority and because his immigration policies were reported as being against Muslim countries, but this does not seem tobe a rallying point.
Christians here pray for government officials who are Muslims. The governot of Jakarta, a Chinese man from a Protestant church, was sentenced under a vilification of religion law for disagreeing with an interpretation. Of the Qur’an. They use that law one
Evangelists, too. It’s not human candles but there is some persecution.
Scotty Searan
Troy Day I don’t agree with evil in any nation
Yes all news sources are flawed just because I choose to watch Fox News doesn’t necessarily make me a sinner yes we all need to repent from day to day as we commit our sins we need to repent
Yes these countries are evil also and they need to repent also
Varnel Watson
Scotty Searan why do you connect foxnews with sinning?
Joe Absher
It’s a reference to a different thread.
Scotty Searan
Agree Troy Day i don’t think watching Fox news is a sin, but some seem to think it is maybe not on this thread
Peter Fiske
Scotty I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous, you mean there are actually people think watching Fox News is a sin?
Varnel Watson
but Link Hudson there has to be some major effect over your area with all thats has been going on Is it the least possitiive?
Link Hudson
With what? North Korea? Local news seems to spend way too much time on a few national issues, either going really deep into the chosen news item of the day or else talking to a lot of people who know little about it. North Korea does not seem to be an issue most people worry about here.
Varnel Watson
Yes North Korea is one pretty major example and there are many others. Now, what’s the feel about North Korea?
Link Hudson
Troy Day i don’t follow the news that closely here. When I watch local news tecently it has been about local issues. For example, there was a prison riot sympathizers and three church bombings possibly related to ISIS so terrorism has been in the news a lot here. I don’t read Indonesian primt journalism.
Varnel Watson
Makes no sense to me that you dont follow the news
Link Hudson
Troy Day If I want to see news about the US I can watch Fox, BBC, CNN, or channels vrom France or Russia. Indonesian news channels are not as good. But I have rarely seen coverage of Trump when I watched them.
Varnel Watson
How does current politics affect your taxes then?
Link Hudson
Troy Day not sure the connection. But the new tax plan will probably cost me and other people with large families because exemptions for kids are gone and the standard deduction does not cover it. I haven’t worked out the new thing with tax credits for kids yet though. I could have made money off of that in grad school.
Varnel Watson
True There is a connection though There always is
Varnel Watson
So Link Hudson in regard in being somewhere else how do you feel about serving two presidents / emperors / masters ?
Link Hudson
Neither one of them have employed me.
Varnel Watson
So you dont pay ANY taxes?
Link Hudson
Troy Day I have paid to both countries while here but i am supposed to get a refund.
Varnel Watson
Good luck with that
Peter Fiske
Troy Day, your perspective on events and scripture just don’t jive with the majority of Christians, you know that? Just what is it about Donald Trump that you don’t like? Do you do realize that it was either him or a far worse, actually godless and criminal candidate, namely Hillary Clinton, don’t you?
Joe Absher
I love my P.T. never a dull moment.
Joe Absher
Mr Troy Day
We should get one of those memes you know. Like the scene in serials when we were kids on Saturday at the theater. The westerns you know.
“Meanwhile back at the ranch…”
It’s great you can get out there in the world get banged around a little and it’s like you never missed a thing.
Varnel Watson
Peter Fiske I am old time conservative republican that disagrees with your liberal theology and liberal ways in any way you can imagine. More so with any liberal leader or president who carry themselves in such liberal ways as you do. Now you understand where I am coming from and if you dont you probably never will
Peter Fiske
Troy Day, I’m a lifelong conservative Christian who happens to vote Republican most of the time. I held my nose and voted for Donald Trump, because I knew the disaster that would befall the nation I loved if Hillary Clinton were elected. My first choice was Ted Cruz, whom I supported wholeheartedly in the 2016 primaries. I could have been comfortable with Marco Rubio, or quite frankly any of the Republicans [except for John Kasich], as Hillary Clinton, was completely unacceptable!
As far as my theology goes, it is literal and conservative, right out of God’s word, especially in Genesis 1-11. The Genesis compromisers attempt to infuse God’s word with evolutionary thinking, like millions of years, is a fairly recent phenomenon if one considers the entire scope of church history since the 1st century AD.
Therefore, Gappist false teachers like Scofield, Pember, and Dake, and apparently you, are the real liberals, trying to contort God’s word with modern, and false evolutionary based ideas!
Varnel Watson
Peter Fiske of course your first vote was Ted whose family is rooted in kingdom-now theology coming straight from the authors you cite. It dont get more liberal than that in theology nowadays you know Kingdom now is straight Marxist and many like you fall for it Thanks for sharing
Peter Fiske
Troy Day, Ted Cruz was the most conservative person running in the 2016 presidential election. His theology is of tertiary importance considering the fact that his core philosophical values were biblical, as he was the only true professed pro-life, anti same-sex marriage, pro limited government candidate.
No one in the creation science movement is a kingdom now advocate, that’s just ignorant drivel that you’ve splattered on to this message board, for whatever reason perhaps just to go against anything I say because you are philosophically predisposed against the truth.
Varnel Watson
Forget it. Ben Carson was most conservative. Kingdom-now theology is very very liberal and Marxists You should check it out
Peter Fiske
Ted Cruz was indeed the most Conservative candidate in the 2016 election, he was the only Republican presidential candidate that was given a score of 100% by the American conservative Union (ACU).
https://washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/12/american-conservative-union-releases-its-annual-ra/
As it is apparent from your labeling of what you think Marxism is, if you would have listened to any of Ted Cruz’s speeches or read any of the legislation that he has supported or sponsor, you would know that Marxism is 180° from anything Ted Cruz advocates! You sir, have no wisdom or discernment whatsoever!
Varnel Watson
Peter Fiske Liberation theology is the pinnacle of social gospel and marxist kingdom now theology and dominionism You should know that well by now https://www.politicalresearch.org/2016/08/18/dominionism-rising-a-theocratic-movement-hiding-in-plain-sight/
Peter Fiske
Troy Day, The Washington Post hates all things conservative and Christian, as they’re perhaps the most left-wing newspaper in the country. I don’t usually linked to Wikipedia because of its anti-christian bias, however, in this article that I’m posting, they make the point and it is documented with external sources, that more far left extremist bloggers link to the Washington Post and New York Times than any other newspaper in the country.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post
Varnel Watson
Again you are promoting liberal media as a typical liberal What does this have to do with anything said in this discussion?
Peter Fiske
Troy Day, you say you’re an elderly gentleman, okay I’ll buy that. There’s nothing in any of my posts that promotes the liberal media, as the Washington Times and the American Conservative Union aren’t anything close to being what you would call liberal or left wing. So my question to you is are you dyslexic, or are you being deliberately dishonest? I’d really like to know because you’re misrepresenting me and that is a violation of the 8th commandment, you are bearing false witness against me!
Varnel Watson
Your own words are witnessing against you Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
Varnel Watson
Good for you Seems like all your evidence comes from liberal media Now provide some evidence for Item 8
Peter Fiske
Troy Day, I’m going back off the grid for the evening, good night, good morning!
Varnel Watson
Its pretty obvious you need to be off the internet but its funny you chose to do it right when #8 was brought up 🙂 Gary Micheal Epping will be laughing when he gets up
Varnel Watson
Pete Fiske Not sure what are you talking about? WP? NYT? Who careas about that when talking Dominionism?
Dominionism is the theocratic idea that regardless of theological view, means, or timetable, Christians are called by God to exercise dominion over every aspect of society by taking control of political and cultural institutions.
Dominionists celebrate Christian nationalism, in that they believe that the United States once was, and should once again be, a Christian nation. In this way, they deny the Enlightenment roots of American democracy. Of course, Christian nationalism takes a distinct form in the United States, but dominionism in all of its variants has a vision for all nations.
Dominionists promote religious supremacy, insofar as they generally do not respect the equality of other religions, or even other versions of Christianity. In many ways, Ted Cruz personifies the story of dominionism: how it became the ideological engine of the Christian Right, and how it illuminates the changes underway in American politics, culture and religion that have helped shape recent history by Ted Cruz’s father, Rafael, who served as his son’s principal campaign surrogate during his senate and presidential campaigns
Varnel Watson
Peter Fiske I completely understand your lack of knowledge in avoiding this one as hard as you did
Varnel Watson
Nelson Banuchi Joseph Kidwell oh HELP US Lord #cult
Varnel Watson
Scotty Searan is this honoring emperor ?
Scotty Searan
Troy Day this is too far
I call this idol worship
Varnel Watson
I think Joseph Kidwell and Nelson Banuchi may agree with you. Truth is about the same type of thing is coming out of the White House and FOX news and virtually NO one is noticing it
Scotty Searan
Troy Day I don’t mind someone saying they like or love Trump.
But saying Trump is divine is absolutely idolatry
If President Trump is divine,
Then President Obama is divine according to the following scripture
Romans 13
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God
Varnel Watson
Scotty isnt the power of satan from God too?
Timothy K. Wiebe
This isn’t coming out of Fox News. ?
Varnel Watson
what you think about this one
Robert Erwine
Varnel Watson
well love and respect is not the problem here bro Scotty but when bowing and worship is involved as Joseph Kidwell has posted some examples in the group before a line must be drawn
Scotty Searan
Troy Day look at the bumper sticker “chosen divine”
Varnel Watson
Scotty bro Joseph Kidwell posted much much worse He can show you the link as I cant find it right now for some reason
Robert Erwine
I honestly think when actually Christian persecution comes to america it will be because of the damage that the Christian right has done over the last 30 plus years politically and spiritually and there will be little mercy shown .
Nelson Banuchi
To the OP. We’re not in Rome and Trump is not an emperor. And to disagree and express disagreement with Trump and to call him out when he is in the wrong, which I thinks what the PT article subtly seeks to discourage, is a responsibility as well as a privilege in our democratic republic.
If the apostle Paul meant us to “honor the king” without question, he would have bowed to him as God and Lord.
Varnel Watson
aye aye Nelson Banuchi We’re not in Rome and Trump is not an emperor. though Jan Dixon Sykes may disagree here
Ira Huth
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:13-26 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.5.13-26.KJV
Varnel Watson
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/08/donald-trump-says-russia-should-allowed-rejoin-g7/
Varnel Watson
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/08/donald-trump-shows-no-sign-compromise-flies-in-g7-summit
Varnel Watson
Timothy K. Wiebe Scotty Searan emperor Trump doing a fantastic job for emperor Putin – that I dont trust; Neither does JESUS
John 2:24 But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all men
most church people I asked about voting for Trump when I first engaged in his pre-campaign in 2009 said he was a crook. Now they praise him to be a God – personality cult is such a communist thing Nelson Banuchi Joseph Kidwell post us again the thing with divine Trump and Melania (the Link seems lost)
Timothy K. Wiebe
Can you imagine how some Christians today would talk about King David if he ruled in our day? “You voted for a guy who watches women undress in their own home and then kills her husband to marry her?”
Varnel Watson
This is a great point Tim, but Trump aint no David now is he?
Robert Erwine
well to be fair king David did have her husband killed so she would be a widow, its not like she still had a living husband when David -by law – could now take her .
Varnel Watson
but what’s Tim alluding to? – Trump killed someones husband now? The iberals have no limits or merits
Varnel Watson
Joseph Kidwell Nelson Banuchi
@Timothy K. Wiebe just posted
“I trust Trumps leadership, not his person”
This is about as wrong as it gets
Separation of the person from the person’s leadership borders spiritual schizophrenia
Timothy K. Wiebe
I trust his leadership AS a person
Varnel Watson
Please dont get fired over this statement Tim
Timothy K. Wiebe
He’s doing a fantastic job. You know this, you simply choose to lie
Varnel Watson
Just like Obama he started well – granted. But he is dropping the bomb – big time. Not to mention miss representing the United States all over the world https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDjdpYUqaQk
Nelson Banuchi
That doesn’t make sense. The person is his leadership.
Apparently, the Trump effect renders people unable to coherently think.
Varnel Watson
Nelson Banuchi you are just wrong 🙂 The person is his leadership except if that person is Trump