Romans 13 teaches believers to honor those who serve in public roles as instruments of God’s preserving grace. Their work supports the peace that allows the church to pursue its mission.
Bible Themes and Doctrines
The Dispensation of Human Government, the third administration in God’s historical plan, began with Noah after the Flood (Genesis 8) and concluded with the scattering of the nations at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). Following the failure of the Dispensation of Conscience, God instituted a new principle: the authority of man to govern man. This was established through the Noahic Covenant, where God delegated the sword of justice to humanity—specifically the authority to execute capital punishment for murder (Genesis 9:6). This instituted the moral responsibility of civil government to restrain evil and protect the sanctity of life, a responsibility that continues in principle to this day (Romans 13).
However, like the dispensations before it, this era ended in corporate failure. Instead of spreading out to repopulate the earth and govern righteously under God, humanity united in rebellion on the plain of Shinar. Led by pride, they built the Tower of Babel to make a name for themselves, independent of God. This collective apostasy forced God to judge the nations by confusing their languages and scattering them across the globe. This judgment birthed the concept of distinct nations and nationalism, setting the stage for God to call out one specific nation—Israel—in the next dispensation.
Romans 13 teaches believers to honor those who serve in public roles as instruments of God’s preserving grace. Their work supports the peace that allows the church to pursue its mission.
God set the rainbow as a covenant promise after the Flood and Scripture later shows it around His throne. The sign assures preservation now so redemption can run, framing judgment with mercy and steadying the church’s worship, patience, and hope.
Noah’s story is more than animals and a boat. Scripture presents a man who obeyed, a world judged, and an ark that foreshadows the only refuge God offers in Christ.