# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1890_S6
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

6 Proceedings of the thirteenth convention

Synodical Conference [*Synodalconferenz*], to deal at once thoroughly with the worldly government [*Obrigkeit*], its institution, position, power, authority, sphere of action and purpose, and our relation to it as Christian subjects. This will bring us great benefit. Through it many accusations against us will be refuted, many misunderstandings and obscurities about us and our position will be cleared up and removed, and we ourselves will be further grounded in this doctrine and strengthened and encouraged in the struggle forced upon us.

The Doctrine of Civil Government.

Thesis I.
Civil government is instituted by God and is therefore an ordinance of God, whatever its form may be at any given time.

Civil government is instituted by God. That is the clear teaching of Scripture. The seat of this teaching is Rom. 13:1–7: "Let every person be subject to the government that has power over him. For there is no government except from God; but where there is government, it is ordained of God." If one attends to the original text, ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις, "super eminere" [to stand out above], to excel above others, to be over others, this comes out all the more. Ἐξουσίαι, powers, authorities, to which everything bows. But this does not come from men, from themselves, but from God. No man has power over others of himself.

John 19:11: "Jesus answered: You would have no power over me, if it were not given you from above. Therefore he that delivered me to you has the greater sin." The ἐξουσία is given you ἄνωθεν [from above]. The Lord Jesus says this to a heathen governor; even the heathen can understand that the power of government is given from above.

Col. 1:16: "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers [*Obrigkeiten*]; all things were created by Him and for Him."

Already in the Old Testament it says, Prov. 8:15: "By me kings reign, and the councillors sit in council." Dan. 2:37: "You are a king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given a kingdom, power, strength and honor." God is the head of civil government:

Col. 2:10: "And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principalities and powers." — Government must serve God: