Topical Bible: Government: Representative

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The concept of representative government, while not explicitly detailed in the Bible, can be inferred through various scriptural principles and examples of leadership and governance. The Bible provides insights into the nature of leadership, authority, and the role of individuals in governance, which can be applied to the idea of representative government.

Biblical Principles of Leadership and Representation

The Bible emphasizes the importance of leadership that is accountable to God and the people. In Exodus 18:21, Jethro advises Moses to select capable men to serve as leaders over the people: "But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens." This passage highlights the need for leaders who are both capable and morally upright, reflecting the qualities desired in representatives.

The Role of Elders and Judges

In the Old Testament, the role of elders and judges serves as an early form of representative leadership. Elders were chosen to represent the people and make decisions on their behalf. In Deuteronomy 1:13, Moses instructs the Israelites: "Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders." This selection process underscores the principle of choosing representatives who possess wisdom and understanding.

Judges, appointed by God, also served as leaders who represented the people and executed justice. The Book of Judges recounts how God raised up judges to deliver Israel from oppression and lead them according to His laws. These judges acted as intermediaries between God and the people, embodying the concept of representation in governance.

The New Testament and the Church

In the New Testament, the early church provides a model of representative leadership through the appointment of deacons and elders. Acts 6:3 describes the selection of deacons: "Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them." This process of selection by the community reflects the principles of representative governance within the church.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the qualifications for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, emphasizing the need for leaders to be above reproach, self-controlled, and hospitable. These qualifications ensure that those who represent the church are capable and trustworthy, aligning with the broader biblical principles of leadership.

Submission to Governing Authorities

The Bible also addresses the relationship between individuals and governing authorities. Romans 13:1-2 instructs believers: "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." This passage acknowledges the divine origin of authority and the responsibility of individuals to respect and submit to their leaders.

While the Bible does not explicitly outline a system of representative government as seen in modern democracies, the principles of leadership, accountability, and representation are evident throughout Scripture. These principles provide a foundation for understanding the role of representative government in a biblical context, emphasizing the importance of leaders who are accountable to both God and the people they serve.

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Deuteronomy 1:13-15
Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.
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Joshua 9:11
Why our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, We are your servants: therefore now make you a league with us.
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Library

The Accession of Darius.
... present age, and which seem essential for the safe and easy action of so vast and
complicated a system as a great representative government must necessarily be ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter iv the accession of.htm

Introductory Notice to Cyprian.
... [2087] Popular government and representative government, the legitimate power and
place of the laity, the organization of the Christian plebs into their ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/introductory notice to cyprian.htm

The Ten-Horned Beast.
... of the kingdom shall have been transferred from the forms of government symbolized
by ... of this beast, identifies it as the successor and representative of the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the ten-horned beast.htm

The Woman and Dragon.
... the whole world," is an appropriate representative of Rome. The "head" of a beast,
sustains a relation to the beast analogous to that of the government to the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the woman and dragon.htm

Methodists, or the Methodist Protestant Church.
... rule of faith and practice, in all things pertaining to godliness, and being fully
persuaded that the representative form of church government is the most ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/methodists or the methodist protestant.htm

The Task of Modern Idealists Indeed is Made Much Too Easy for them ...
... more anon. But representative government, the one universal relic, is a
very poor fragment of the full republican idea. The theory ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 5 the task of.htm

Church and State in New England
... On the contrary, it was his political foresight which made him urge upon the colonists
a more representative government[c] than would be obtainable from a ...
/.../chapter iii church and state.htm

The Dutch Calvinist Colony on the Hudson and the Swedish Lutheran ...
... In no colony does there appear less of local self-government or of central
representative government, less of civil liberty, or even of the aspiration for ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter vii the dutch calvinist.htm

Introductory
... theoretical equality between the ecclesiastical and the secular organs of government. ...
the imperial theory granted to the ecclesiastical representative at least ...
//christianbookshelf.org/medley/the church and the empire/introductory.htm

Forgiveness Made Easy
... has been made to the injured honour of the divine government, and justice is ... would
be this, that God has forgiven us because of the representative character of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/forgiveness made easy.htm