Christian Theocracy Achieves Unanimous Decisions

 

“The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” (Psm. 103:19)

The kingdom of God has a unique form of government unlike anything on earth… yet we can understand what it is, from governments that have existed throughout history.  The earthly kingdoms we are familiar with are forms of government ruled by a king, president or prime minister and backed by officials that are either chosen or elected by the people. All other forms of government such as a republic or democracy are variations on this theme, with self-interest being the motivation of all man-made earthly governments.  The kingdom of God, on the other hand, is a theocracy.  What it means is that it is a government ruled by the One True God, or by someone ordained and controlled by God.  However, God's theocracy goes much deeper than that.

As an example The United States of America has been defined by Abraham Lincoln as a government of the people, by the people and for the people.  A theocracy goes much further for it is a divine government of God.   It is a government or kingdom from God that will encompass the whole planet and one that is actually and truly for the people…all peoples of the whole earth.   A government ruled by laws from God that bring about and maintain peace.  A government that does not take anything… but only gives, which is the reason man cannot establish such a rule.   The Lord Jesus Christ said, “My Kingdom is not of this world. . . .” (Jn. 18:36)

At the very beginning of time it was God’s plan to rule the world.  He had established Israel as a prototype Kingdom of God (Ex. 19:3-8).  Israel had accepted theocracy as their form of government: “Then all the people answered together and said, ‘All that the LORD has spoken we will do.’  So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.” (Ex. 19:8)  When Israel wanted an earthly king, both Gideon (Judg. 8:22-23) and Samuel (1 Sam. 8:1-8) told the Israelites that God was their king.  “But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’  So Samuel prayed to the LORD.  But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should reign over them.” (1 Sam. 8:6-7)  Saul was anointed the first king over Israel with the words "Is it not the LORD has anointed you commander over His inheritance?" (1 Sam. 10:1).  The rule of God was sovereign over the rule of the king.  When these earthly kings followed the reign of God, they were blessed, but when they forsook Yahweh as their exclusive sovereign and acknowledged the sovereignty of other gods, they were driven out of their promised land (2 Kings 17:13-18).  

 

The Majority of the People are often Wrong

A casual look at the Bible shows that the majority very often turn out to be wrong.

    The majority of people rejected Noah's preaching and died in the flood.
    The majority of people perished in Sodom and Gomorrah.
    The majority of Israel worshipped Aaron's calf in Exodus 32.
    The majority of Israel rejected the ministry of the prophets such as Jeremiah.
    The majority of people rejected Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry.
    The majority of people alive today reject Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.

Just as monarchy, which is the rule of government by a sovereign king, is the rejection of theocracy or the rule by the One True God, so is democracy that is the government through decisions made by the majority of the people.  From the Scriptures we discover that some of God’s mighty heroes are in the minority.

Consider Moses’ lone and solitary voice of warning to the children of Israel not to go up to the mountaintop to fight the Amalekites and the Canaanites.  “But they presumed to go up to the mountaintop; nevertheless, neither the ark of the LORD nor Moses departed from the camp.  Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwelt in that mountain came down and attacked them, and drove them back as far as Hormah.” (Num. 14:39-45)   Big numbers of people and the majority mean nothing to God. “The ark of the LORD” represents His very presence.  Having only the presence of God is much more powerful than having the people’s majority.

Consider Joshua and Caleb returning with ten other spies that looked over the land of their promised inheritance. The land was a veritable fortress. There were walled cities and warriors of great size in the land. Joshua and Caleb did not deny this. They believed, however, that their God was bigger than these obstacles and that the giants before them would simply become their prey.

 

Not so, the other ten spies. They judged by appearance. They looked at themselves and were made weak. In their own strength they perceived that they would fail and their own strength was all they had. They had not learned how to exhibit confidence in an almighty God. The rest of Israel gave way to the same fears.

 

Some have estimated that Israel consisted of nearly 3 million people at that time. Joshua and Caleb stood against the opinion of 3 million of their brothers and sisters. What arrogance, what pride for these two to believe that they were right when so many said that they were dead wrong.  In fact, those who said they were wrong had wished them to be dead.  It is said that they spoke of stoning them. Christians that have different views from their peers that form the majority face the same hardships as Joshua and Caleb.  Remember that Jesus Christ and us form the majority.

 

Consider David when he was yet a youth. He was sent to the site of battle to carry food to his brothers and to bring back news of their welfare to his father. He found all of the army of Israel hiding behind rocks as the champion of the Philistines came out daily to challenge and taunt them. David heard that King Saul has offered a reward to any Israelite warrior who would challenge Goliath and slay him.  He even had offered one of his daughters as part of the reward.  David heard of this and was incredulous.

 

David was not intimidated. He heard the taunt of Goliath and was filled with indignation.  His oldest brother Eliab overheard David as he talked to the soldiers about the reward offered to kill Goliath. David’s words were bold and Eliab became angry.  Eliab felt justified to hide behind the rocks every day.  Goliath was huge. David’s fearless words stung and Eliab began to accuse David of evil. (1 Samuel 17:28)  After all, who did David think he was. The entire army of Israel was scared before Goliath. David was surely just exhibiting arrogance and pride. He was deluded to think that he could slay Goliath. He was but a youth. The opinion of all Israel was against him. Why did he think he was right?  The One True God was behind him.

 

No, being in the minority does not mean one is in the right, but being in the majority doesn’t either. One must look at the issues involved. One must see what emotions and physical and spiritual forces are shaping opinions. Fear and a desire for self-preservation were very evident in the majority in both cases mentioned. Courage and confidence in God was present in the minority.

 

The Early Apostolic Church never practiced Democracy

Why is democracy not the correct polity for the Christian Church?  It is the principle of democracy that presupposes the majority of the people is always right; and it was also the same wrong decisions of the majority that rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah; drove Him out of the synagogue and also crucified Him on Mount Calvary.

“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (Jn. 1:11)

“Then all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him (Jesus Christ) out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.  Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.” (Lk. 4:28-30)

“But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.’  Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” (Mt. 26:56)

The Roman governor Pilate wanted to know whether Jesus Christ was the King of the Jews. “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.  If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’  Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’  Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king.  For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (Jn. 18:36-37)  

“But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.  The governor answered and said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release to you?’ They said, ‘Barabbas!’  Pilate said to them, ‘What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’  They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’  Then the governor said, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’  But they cried out all the more, saying, Let Him be crucified!’  When Pilate say that he could not prevail at all, but rather than a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just Person.  You see to it.’  And all the people answered and said, ‘His blood be on us and on our children.’  Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.” (Mt. 27:20-26)

The majority of the people in Jerusalem wanted Jesus to be crucified and although Pilate acknowledged the Lord’s innocence yet he succumbed to the rule of the democratic majority and let Him be crucified.  Democracy does not always allow the truth to prevail because the majority always rules.  Truth is often crucified by the wrong decisions of the majority.  Democracy has not been on the side of true Christianity.

The Church as we see it in the New Testament was built by the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 16:18).  Based on the theocratic form of government it had unity of doctrine, organization, worship and work.  In many modern congregations that are governed by democratic principles we see quite the opposite.  They have disunity and confusion, and we can know straightway that it is not of God.  “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” (1 Cor. 14:33)  “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there.”(Jas. 3:16)

One of the chief causes of confusion within many Christian congregations lie in the polity that relates to forms of government and administration.   It is because they have adopted the worldly and secular polity of democracy.  Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.”  Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) Students of social history were taught that modern democracy has its roots in pagan classical Greece.  It was revived in France after the French Revolution.  Democracy in America borrowed ideologies from various sources but some American historians, anthropologists and traditional chiefs addressed the proposal the U.S. Constitution was based on the Iroquois Great Law of Peace rather than on Greek democracy, as is commonly believed and taught.  Democracy is absolutely foreign to true Christianity.

Democracy may be an ideal form of government for the nations of the world but it is definitely not the correct polity for the Christian Church.  Many Christians will be shocked to find out that democracy is never taught in the Holy Bible.  It is certainly not known or practiced by the Children of Israel in the Old Testament and the Apostolic Christian Church in the New Testament.  The only correct form of polity for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is Christian Theocracy that means government through immediate guidance by the One True God.  In Christian Theocracy the One True God in the Lord Jesus Christ is the Supreme Ruler. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18).  The Church “is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.”(Eph. 2:20-22)

Weakness of Democracy based on the Majority Rule

Democracy is a form of government in which the majority rules.  Let us read some quotations on democracy that shows some of its weaknesses.

The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid.  -  Art Spander

Fifty-one percent of a nation can establish a totalitarian regime, suppress minorities and still remain democratic.  -  Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn

When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong.  -  Eugene V. Debs

Democracy is based on the assumption that a million men are wiser than one man. How's that again? I missed something. - Excerpt from the notebooks of Lazarus Long, from Robert Heinlein's "Time Enough for Love"

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.  -  Federalist Papers

Democracy is proof of a base and low mind for one to wish to think with the masses or majority, merely because the majority is the majority. Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.  -  Giordano Bruno

Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard.  -  H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.  -  H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)

The voice of the majority is no proof of justice.  -  Johann von Schiller

Nor is the people's judgment always true: the most may err as grossly as the few.  -  John Dryden

Democracy ... is a system of self-determination. It's the right to make the wrong choice.  -  John Patrick

Democracy encourages the majority to decide things about which the majority is blissfully ignorant.  -  John Simon

It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority.  -  Lord Acton

In matters of conscience, the law of majority has no place.  -  Mahatma Gandhi

Democracy is not a state in which people act like sheep.  -  Mahatma Gandhi

Performance of one's duties should be independent of public opinion.  -  Mahatma Gandhi

If an individual agrees with everybody, he lacks conviction; if he likes everybody and is everybody's friend, he is indifferent to one and all.  -  Nikolai Dobrolyubov

Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.  -  Oscar Wilde

The greatest fallacy of democracy is that everyone's opinion is worth the same.  -  Robert Anson Heinlein

Democracy is a government where you can say what you think even if you don't think.  -  Unknown

 

How a Church can have Sound and Unanimous Decisions

The former prime minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru once said:  Democracy is good. I say this because other systems are worse.”   Mr. Nehru implied that democracy is really not that good.  He had never discovered Christian Theocracy in which the One True God rules supreme.  True Christian Theocracy takes God’s instructions in the Holy Bible as the absolute guideline for all the people to make unanimous decisions.

The Church should strive for unanimous consent in all issues.  The Holy Bible unequivocally stresses the only way for the Church to function in unity, peace and harmony is for all the members to have unanimous consent in any issue.  Although the existing constitution and bylaws may require only a simple majority vote, beware of potential division and wrong conclusions.  Voting by even a two-third majority to solve a problem often creates new and greater problems.  A majority of spies agreed that the land of Canaan was filled with unconquerable giants and refused to enter it.  Only two voices contradicted the majority (Numbers 13:26 14:10).  Only one voice disagreed with the four hundred prophets who told King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat that it was God's will to go to battle (1 Kings 22:1-39).  In both cases the majority was wrong.  Democracy with the majority rule was not God’s will.

 The Children of Israel became a theocratic nation after they accepted God’s words as the sole guide to their religious, civil and social lives.

“Then all the people answered together and said, ‘All that the LORD has spoken we will do.’  So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.” (Ex. 19:8)

The Early Apostolic Church was the model of unity.  “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:14)  “Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” (Acts 2:1)  “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul: neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32)

To deal with the tasks over the care of the widows, the leaders gathered together and presented a plan that was received with unanimity among the apostles and all the believers (Acts 6:1-5). When a disagreement over doctrine arose in the church, the leaders gathered to discuss the matter. Their decision was by unanimous consent (Acts 15). In order to have unanimity, every leader must be biblically qualified to serve and be in harmony with the Holy Spirit and with each other.

When the Early Apostolic Church functioned under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the believers and harmony is for all the members to have unanimous consent in any issue.  Here are some scriptural verses to support this position.

 “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)

One accord is a biblical term that denotes a unanimous decision in complete unity, peace and harmony.  The Early Apostolic Church was able to be in one accord because they “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.” (Acts. 2:42)  It could never have been achieved if believers had given only their personal opinions about any issue.  They all had a common guideline – the apostles’ doctrine – as the point of reference in making decisions.  The Holy Bible is the only reference for all Christians everywhere and in all ages.

 

“Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.” (Acts 15:22)

 

It seemed to be by unanimous decision that the apostles and elders decided to accept Peter and James' decision on the matter of the Gentiles.  We see here, a committee chosen of the elect men in the group to go and carry this good news of the church 's decision to the church at Antioch.  Perhaps, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas went to assure the people of Antioch that this was not just Paul and Barnabas' decision, but was also Peter and James' decision, as well.  This is the Antioch where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians, and there were many Gentile converts here.  Remember, the church was still being formed here.

“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Cor. 1:10)

The Corinthian Church had not attained the same level of understanding and discernment within its membership.  Christian love, active discipleship, healing, and equipping of the saints is much needed here.  Congregations that have divisions must strive to operate within the same opinions, purposes, resolves, and decision-making.

 

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” (Phil. 1:27)

 

The believers are encouraged to be united as they “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”  There is only one Holy Spirit who moves and inspires every believer to have one mind to preach the gospel to the lost world. 

 

 

Practical Steps towards having Unanimous Decisions

In any assembly whether it is a congregational, board, staff, or committee meeting, all may include at least some of the following elements:

Teamwork  -  The whole chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians describes how a church or congregation can work together as a team.  “. . . . there should be no schism in the body, . . .” (1 Cor. 12:25)  Recognize each member’s gift (spiritual, physical, intellectual or professional) and encourage the person to get involved in a team project that he or she can contribute the most.  It must be emphasized that the decision of a team consisting of expertise in the various fields is superior and more efficient than a congregation that knows little about the issue at large.

Information – Always remember that the Holy Bible is the main guide towards making unanimous decisions.  Misinformation, disinformation or lack of information can lead to wrong decisions that can be disadvantageous or even disastrous to any congregation. 

We are living at a time when Information Technology (IT) makes it possible for rapid transmission of information from one congregation or member to another with greater ease than at any time in the past.  Information must be disseminated in an efficient way to every one that is involved in the project and in decision-making.

Fact-finding - After receiving the information investigate thoroughly by research into Bible dictionaries, concordances from various places such as public libraries to check for facts and truth.  The search in the Internet can also be very helpful but countercheck with other reliable sources for verification.

Planning - Here is a wise saying:  “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  Always plan ahead for the future especially in a building project.  If the project involves a building extension the correct procedure is to first consider the future plan that had already been unanimously approved by the previous congregations, church councils or building committees.  It requires a 100% unanimous decision to overrule a previously approved unanimous decision.  Any split decision may result in strife and conflicts within the congregation that must be avoided at all costs.

Project planning need not be confined to the church board.  It may be extended to others who can contribute their views, concerns, solutions and expertise.  To enhance the effectiveness of planning meetings, design an agenda that highlights future needs and identifies desired contributions and goals.

Decision-making – Unanimous decision is God’s way and the Church’s only way of achieving perfect unity, peace and harmony.  Unanimous decision is the proof that the Holy Spirit is working with the Church when He makes everyone in the congregation have the same mind, goal and purpose.  Unless a congregation makes a commitment to take unanimous decision as its policy there will continue to be disunity and divisions within the congregation.

In a meeting the formal process requires the release of an agenda well in advance.  Be very careful not to include items that are divisive, controversial and counterproductive to the harmony of the meeting.  The agenda should include fact-finding, analysis of biblical and other information, summary of information into usable form, and an evaluation of possible outcomes.  Always emphasize unanimous consensus.  Do not force the issue by coercion but use Christian love and friendly persuasion.  If unanimity cannot be achieved, take a pause and get everyone to pray until the desired result is reached.  Do not rush, there is always another day!  God wants perfect unity, peace and harmony.  He can wait!  We should also wait!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Pro. 3:5-6)

 

This Article is the base for a response to a question during a Bible Study Discussion
conducted by Paul Wong for a Congregation in Houston, Texas on May 16, 2003
For comments please write first to: ark@pdq.net

 

May God bless you.

 


Paul Wong is a Christian minister and the President of ARK International.
His ministry also serves as an architectural service company in Houston.
The ARK Forum on the Internet is international and non-denominational.



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