The need for order in the society
Christian Religious Studies SS3 Second Term
Week 1
Topic: The need for order in the society
Performance objectives
Pupils should be able to:
- Know the importance of submission to legitimate authority
- How to serve their community with the fear of God
- The meaning of constitution and their rights as human
- The meaning of African charter and people’s rights.
Content
A. Submission to those in legitimate authority (1 Peter 2:13–20)
In Romans 13, Apostle Paul writes that “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities.” Does this mean that Christians should always obey civil government? Understood in its context, the 13th chapter of Romans does not contradict other New Testament passages that allow civil disobedience in certain circumstances. Romans 13 was probably written to address a specific situation in Rome. Though it's teaching about submission is correct, we cannot treat it as a law that has no exceptions.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers is not a terror to good conduct, but to bad conducts. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But, if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, and respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.
B. People in authority to serve with the fear of God (Rom. 13:1-7)
This chapter states that; Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,
(i) For there is no authority except that which God has established.
(ii) The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.
(iii) Those that rebel will bring judgment on themselves; for rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.
(iv) For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
(v) Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
(vi) This is also why you pay taxes.
Discuss the meaning of Civic responsibilities
Civic means, relating to or belonging to a city, a citizen, or citizenship, municipal or civil society.
Responsibility refers to the state or quality of being responsible or something for which one is responsible such as a duty, obligation, or burden.
Civic Responsibility is defined as the "responsibility of a citizen." It is comprised of actions and attitudes associated with democratic governance and social participation.
Civic responsibility can include participation in government, church, volunteers, and memberships of voluntary associations. Actions of civic responsibility can be displayed in advocacy for various causes, such as political, economic, civil, and environmental or quality of life issues.
Constitution: A written instrument embodying the rules of a political or social organization.
Charter: A formal statement of the rights of a country's people, or of an organization or a particular social group, that is agreed by or demanded from a ruler or government: A charter of rights.
Human rights: These are fundamental rights that are essential for human existence and which every citizen is entitled to in full without gender, race, political or religious barriers. These rights include the right to life, right to dignity of the human person, the right to personal liberty, etc.
C. The constitution of Nigeria
It is also the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it.
D. The African charter on human and people’s right
The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (also known as the Banjul Charter) is an international human rights instrument that is intended to promote and protect human rights and basic freedoms in the African continent.