Q. Santa Cruz, Calif. "According to Romans 13:1-7 all rulers are or dained of God and are ministers for good. How can this concept be reconciled with those evil leaders in Communist countries? Should a Christian submit himself to such authority?" A. Those who report on conditions behind the Iron Curtain tell us that while atheism is almost a state re ligion, yet as far as civil authority is concerned the people generally are living law-abiding lives. Author ities have established certain prin ciples by which the government is maintained. This has nothing to do with the spiritual aspect. When it comes to this we always must obey God rather than man. Paul lived in the time of Nero and suffered ter rific persecution at the hands of
Rome. He and other Christians of that day were citizens of the state and had to give their allegiance to the nation's laws. So, as far as civ il regulations are concerned, we should submit ourselves to those who are in authority over us. Of course, history is replete with the accounts of Christian martyrs who suffered death rather than give in to the evils of their day. While rulers are ordained of God, even though they may not be saved in dividuals, yet they are still used, unknown to themselves, working out God's plan and program. Q. Fresno, Calif. "What does the Bible teach about the spiritual and physical death of Christ? How does this relate to salvation and what part does the blood of Christ play?"
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