Law Enforcement
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Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Role in Society:
Law enforcement refers to the system by which certain members of society act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society. In the context of biblical teachings, law enforcement is seen as an extension of God's order, serving to maintain peace and justice within a community.

Biblical Foundation:
The Bible provides a framework for understanding the role of law enforcement through its teachings on justice, authority, and the role of government. Romans 13:1-4 is a foundational passage that outlines the divine institution of governing authorities: "Let every soul be subject 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 are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant to you for 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."

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, law enforcement was often carried out by judges and leaders appointed by God to maintain order and justice among the Israelites. The Book of Judges details how God raised up judges to deliver Israel from oppression and to enforce His laws. Deuteronomy 16:18 instructs, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly."

New Testament Context:
The New Testament continues to affirm the role of law enforcement as part of God's ordained order. Jesus Himself acknowledged the authority of earthly rulers, as seen in His interaction with Pontius Pilate in John 19:11 : "Jesus answered, 'You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.'"

Christian Responsibility:
Christians are called to respect and obey lawful authorities as part of their witness to the world. 1 Peter 2:13-14 instructs believers, "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent by him to punish evildoers and praise well-doers."

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
While the Bible supports the role of law enforcement, it also emphasizes the importance of justice, mercy, and righteousness. Law enforcement officers are called to act justly and with integrity, reflecting God's character in their duties. Micah 6:8 states, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Challenges and Corruption:
The Bible acknowledges the potential for corruption and misuse of power within law enforcement. Isaiah 1:23 laments, "Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, and the widow’s case never comes before them." This highlights the need for accountability and reform when law enforcement deviates from its God-given purpose.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide a detailed blueprint for modern law enforcement, it offers principles that guide the establishment and operation of just and righteous systems of governance. Law enforcement, when aligned with biblical values, serves as a vital component of maintaining order and justice in society.
Topical Bible Verses
Romans 2:12
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Topicalbible.org

Library

God's Law Immutable.
... enforcement of Sunday-keeping in the United States would be an enforcement of the ...
But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

God's Law Immutable
... the enforcement of Sundaykeeping in the United States would be an enforcement of
the ... But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

The Origin and Growth of Law.
... What do you consider to be the value of such institutions as those at West Point
and Annapolis in their influence on the enforcement of law and discipline? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study ix the origin and.htm

Reading the Law with Tears and Joy
... Neglect of God's law weakens the power of understanding it. ... the true way of bringing
men back to God; namely, the faithful exposition and enforcement of God's ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/reading the law with tears.htm

The Impending Conflict
... To accomplish this, he works through both religious and secular authorities, moving
them to the enforcement of human laws in defiance of the law of God. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 36 the impending conflict.htm

The Impending Conflict.
... To accomplish this, he works through both religious and secular authorities, moving
them to the enforcement of human laws in defiance of the law of God. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /36 the impending conflict.htm

Human Government.
... and enact statutes for the purpose of promoting the highest virtue and happiness
of the world, and for the declaration and enforcement of moral law; and just ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xx human government.htm

The Prophet in the Reign of Josiah. 627-26-608 BC
... Third, Oracles which imply that the enforcement of the Law-Book had already begun,
and reveal Jeremiah's attitude to it and to the course of the reforms which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iv the prophet in.htm

Unity of Marriage Taught by Its First Institution, and by the ...
... the Church and Christ (for Christ is one, and one is His Church), we are bound to
recognise a duplication and additional enforcement for us of the law of unity ...
/.../tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/chapter v unity of marriage taught.htm

God's Sovereignty Defined
... Justice demands the impartial enforcement of law. Justice requires that each
shall receive his legitimate due, neither more nor less. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter one gods sovereignty defined.htm

Resources
Law vs. grace-why is there so much conflict among Christians on the issue? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Christians are not under the law? | GotQuestions.org

What is the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)? | GotQuestions.org

Law: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Constitution: Agreement Between the Ruler and People

Law

Law Enforcement

Law in the New Testament

Law in the Old Testament

Law of Moses

Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) in Synagogues

Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Divine Authority For

Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Engraved on Stone

Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Epitomized by Jesus

Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): from City to City

Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Given at Sinai

Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): On Door Posts

Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Renewed by Moses

Law: Book of, Found by Hilkiah in the Temple

Law: Curses of, Responsively Read by Levites and People at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim

Law: Engraved Upon Monuments

Law: Expounded to the Assembled Nation at the Feast of Tabernacles in the Sabbatic Year

Law: Formed a Constitution on Which the Civil Government of the Israelites Was Founded

Law: Found by Hilkiah in the House of the Lord

Law: General Scriptures Concerning

Law: On Frontlets for the Forehead, and Parchment for the Hand

Law: Preserved in the Ark of the Covenant

Law: Princes, Priests, and Levites Publicly Taught

Law: Prophecies In, of the Messiah

Law: Received by the Disposition of Angels

Law: Temporary

Law: The Priests and Levites

Law: was Given Because of Transgressions Until the Messiah Arrived

Litigation: To be Avoided

The Law of God is Absolute and Perpetual

The Law of God is the Rule of Life to Saints

The Law of God is the Rule of the Judgment

The Law of God: All Men Have Transgressed

The Law of God: Blessedness of Keeping

The Law of God: Christ: Came to Fulfil

The Law of God: Christ: Explained

The Law of God: Christ: Magnified

The Law of God: Conscience Testifies To

The Law of God: Designed to Lead to Christ

The Law of God: Established by Faith

The Law of God: Exceeding Broad

The Law of God: Given: Through Moses

The Law of God: Given: Through the Ministration of Angels

The Law of God: Given: To Adam

The Law of God: Given: To Noah

The Law of God: Given: To the Israelites

The Law of God: Gives the Knowledge of Sin

The Law of God: Holy, Just, and Good

The Law of God: It is Man's Duty to Keep

The Law of God: Love is the Fulfilling of

The Law of God: Man Cannot be Justified By

The Law of God: Man Cannot Render Perfect Obedience To

The Law of God: Man, by Nature, not in Subjection To

The Law of God: Not Grievous

The Law of God: Obedience to a Characteristic of Saints

The Law of God: Obedience to a Test of Love

The Law of God: Obedience To of Prime Importance

The Law of God: Perfect

The Law of God: Punishment for Disobeying

The Law of God: Pure

The Law of God: Requires Obedience of the Heart

The Law of God: Requires Perfect Obedience

The Law of God: Saints: Delight In

The Law of God: Saints: Freed from the Bondage of

The Law of God: Saints: Freed from the Curse of

The Law of God: Saints: Have, Written on Their Hearts

The Law of God: Saints: Keep

The Law of God: Saints: Lament Over the Violation of, by Others

The Law of God: Saints: Love

The Law of God: Saints: Pledge Themselves to Walk In

The Law of God: Saints: Pray for Power to Keep

The Law of God: Saints: Pray to Understand

The Law of God: Saints: Prepare Their Hearts to Seek

The Law of God: Saints: should Make the Subject of Their Conversation

The Law of God: Saints: should Remember

The Law of God: Sin is a Transgression of

The Law of God: Spiritual

The Law of God: The Love of, Produces Peace

The Law of God: The Wicked: Cast Away

The Law of God: The Wicked: Despise

The Law of God: The Wicked: Forget

The Law of God: The Wicked: Forsake

The Law of God: The Wicked: Refuse to Hear

The Law of God: The Wicked: Refuse to Walk In

The Law of God: To be Used Lawfully

The Law of God: Truth

The Law of God: Works Wrath

The Law of Moses is the Law of God

The Law of Moses was a Burdensome Yoke

The Law of Moses was not the Manifestation of the Grace of God

The Law of Moses: A Means of National Reformation

The Law of Moses: A Schoolmaster to Lead to Christ

The Law of Moses: A Shadow of Good Things to Come

The Law of Moses: Additions Made To, in the Plains of Moab by Jordan

The Law of Moses: All Israelites Required: To Know

The Law of Moses: All Israelites Required: To Lay Up, in Their Hearts

The Law of Moses: All Israelites Required: To Observe

The Law of Moses: All Israelites Required: To Remember

The Law of Moses: All Israelites Required: To Teach Their Children

The Law of Moses: Book of, Laid up in the Sanctuary

The Law of Moses: Called: A Fiery Law

The Law of Moses: Called: Book of Moses

The Law of Moses: Called: Book of the Law

The Law of Moses: Called: Lively Oracles

The Law of Moses: Called: Ministration of Condemnation

The Law of Moses: Called: Ministration of Death

The Law of Moses: Called: Royal Law

The Law of Moses: Called: Word Spoken by Angels

The Law of Moses: Christ: Abrogated, As a Covenant of Works

The Law of Moses: Christ: Attended all Feasts of

The Law of Moses: Christ: Bore the Curse of

The Law of Moses: Christ: Came not to Destroy But to Fulfil

The Law of Moses: Christ: Circumcised According To

The Law of Moses: Christ: Fulfilled all Precepts of

The Law of Moses: Christ: Fulfilled all Types and Shadows of

The Law of Moses: Christ: Made Under

The Law of Moses: Christ: Magnified and Made Honorable

The Law of Moses: Could not Disannul the Covenant of Grace Made in Christ

The Law of Moses: Could not Give Righteous and Life

The Law of Moses: Darkness at Giving of, Illustrative of Obscurity of

The Law of Moses: Divided Into: A Covenant of Works to the Jews As a Nation

The Law of Moses: Divided Into: Ceremonial, Relating to Manner of Worshipping God

The Law of Moses: Divided Into: Civil, Relating to Administration of Justice

The Law of Moses: Divided Into: Moral, Embodied in the Ten Commandments

The Law of Moses: Entire of, Written in a Book

The Law of Moses: Given by Disposition of Angels

The Law of Moses: Given in the Desert

The Law of Moses: Given: After the Exodus

The Law of Moses: Given: At Horeb

The Law of Moses: Given: from the Mount Sinai

The Law of Moses: Given: Through Moses As Mediator

The Law of Moses: Given: To No Other Nation

The Law of Moses: Given: To the Jews

The Law of Moses: Good Kings Enforced

The Law of Moses: Jewish Converts Would Have all Christians Observe

The Law of Moses: Kings to Write and Study

The Law of Moses: None to Approach the Mount While God Gave

The Law of Moses: Priests and Levites to Teach

The Law of Moses: Public Instruction Given to Youth In

The Law of Moses: Publicly Read by Ezra

The Law of Moses: Publicly Read by Joshua

The Law of Moses: Publicly Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath Day

The Law of Moses: Publicly Read: At the Feast of Tabernacles in the Sabbatical Year

The Law of Moses: Rehearsed by Moses

The Law of Moses: Remarkable Phenomena Connected With, at Giving of

The Law of Moses: Tables of, Laid up in the Ark

The Law of Moses: Taught the Jews: All Punishments Awarded According To

The Law of Moses: Taught the Jews: Strict Justice and Impartiality

The Law of Moses: Taught the Jews: To Love and Fear God

The Law of Moses: Taught the Jews: To Love Their Neighbour

The Law of Moses: Terror of Israel at Receiving

The Law of Moses: The Jews: Accused Christ of Breaking

The Law of Moses: The Jews: Accused Christians of Speaking

The Law of Moses: The Jews: Broke It Themselves

The Law of Moses: The Jews: Dishonoured God by Breaking

The Law of Moses: The Jews: from Regard To, Rejected Christ

The Law of Moses: The Jews: Held Those Ignorant of, Accursed

The Law of Moses: The Jews: Jealous For

The Law of Moses: The Jews: Shall be Judged By

The Law of Moses: The Scribes Were Learned In, and Expounded

Related Terms

Law (670 Occurrences)

Mother-in-law (16 Occurrences)

Daughter-in-law (16 Occurrences)

Son-in-law (14 Occurrences)

Father-in-law (25 Occurrences)

Law-breaker (3 Occurrences)

Brother-in-law (5 Occurrences)

Law-giver (5 Occurrences)

Law-transgressor (2 Occurrences)

Daughters-in-law (5 Occurrences)

Sons-in-law (2 Occurrences)

Law-givers (2 Occurrences)

Law-teachers (1 Occurrence)

Law-suits (1 Occurrence)

Law-giving (1 Occurrence)

Law's (1 Occurrence)

Sister-in-law (1 Occurrence)

Brother-in-law's (1 Occurrence)

Accountability

Violation (6 Occurrences)

Circumcised (58 Occurrences)

Schoolmaster (3 Occurrences)

Sinful (61 Occurrences)

Violating (5 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Although (167 Occurrences)

Abiding (40 Occurrences)

Another's (28 Occurrences)

Sinned (156 Occurrences)

Covetousness (22 Occurrences)

Carnal (11 Occurrences)

Ablution

Subject (99 Occurrences)

Speaketh (367 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Shaphan (26 Occurrences)

Scribe (55 Occurrences)

Sabbatical (1 Occurrence)

Keeps (154 Occurrences)

Speaks (109 Occurrences)

Void (64 Occurrences)

Covet (14 Occurrences)

Coveting (3 Occurrences)

Appeal (30 Occurrences)

Applies (7 Occurrences)

Scrupulously (5 Occurrences)

Shechem (61 Occurrences)

Accursed (26 Occurrences)

Agree (24 Occurrences)

Catechist

Agreement (341 Occurrences)

Catechumen

Slander (34 Occurrences)

Salvation (386 Occurrences)

Agrarian

Chance (78 Occurrences)

Argument (45 Occurrences)

Adultery (49 Occurrences)

Stephen (13 Occurrences)

Consecration (22 Occurrences)

Keeping (282 Occurrences)

Annas (4 Occurrences)

Sentence (53 Occurrences)

Sin-offering (115 Occurrences)

Keepeth (60 Occurrences)

King's (375 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Quicken (16 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Keepest (16 Occurrences)

Kid (42 Occurrences)

Counts (15 Occurrences)

Admonished (16 Occurrences)

Absolutely (6 Occurrences)

Admit (8 Occurrences)

Abolish (6 Occurrences)

Attained (20 Occurrences)

Afford (12 Occurrences)

Law and Understanding
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