Fellow Christians, would you be willing to break the law?

Question

We have a God given, biblical mandate to preach the gospel.
With that said, if it ever became illegal to speak the name of Christ (which by the way.....isn't out of the realm of possibility), would you join me in prison?

God's laws usurp man's law's every time.....so would you be willing to break the law at that point?

I sure would.

Answer 1

I most certainly would. I think it would be the greatest honor to stand up for my Savior when others oppose Him. He died for me, and I would be ashamed not to spread His word, even if that meant imprisonment.

Answer 2

Actually, to answer JustSyd there, it is not sin to break the law where the law of the land defies the Eternal Law of God. In Acts when the Pharisees and Jewish Scholars demand that Peter and John stop proclaiming the Gospel, they turn around and let them know that it is more important to follow God's commands than the commands of men. But truly, I love when people who don't follow God's word tell those of us who do how to do so.

That being said, yes I would join you in prison. As a Natural Law Philosopher I believe we have a burden to civilly disobey any law which contradicts the Natural Law. As Martin Luther King Jr. describes in his book Letter from a Birmingham Jail, when the Law would suppose to make Law which goes against the natural way of things, then we have a duty to disobey, however we should know in advance that we are to pay the penalty for that disobedience.

So prison here I come...

Answer 3

...I would also speak the Gospel if it became illegal and go to jail.
...Your first two "answer-ers" probably do not know the Apostles faced the same issue in the early church. They were ordered by the Sanhedrin not to preach or teach about Jesus. The story is in Acts 4 and 5, and here are a couple of verses:
...Acts 4:19-20:
...19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;
...20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."
**
...Act 5:27
...When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them,
...28 saying, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us."
...29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."
****
...We, too, must obey God rather than men. And watch your attitude, especially toward authority.

Answer 4

Yep, I have a feeling that in my lifetime I will be facing that choice. I've heard of some legislation right now that is trying to make hate speech a crime. And of course they define hate speech as saying homosexuality is wrong. That kind of law would make it illegal to read our Bibles. I myself have a personal history of being gay, and then being set free. I feel that I have been mandated to spread that good news to other people that are like I was, so I am extra vulnerable to that kind of law. See ya in prison brother!! :) We can follow in the footsteps of the great Paul.

Answer 5

So lets say that the second coming of Christ happens and you truly believe in it. The new Jesus tells you that you have to go to a local school and kill all of the children as a test to show that you are truly capable of following him.

Would you do it? Would you blindly follow a religion without regards to the rest of the world?

You say that outlawing people saying the name of Christ could possibly be outlawed one day. What do you base that one? The courts saying that christians cannot use schools and governments to force their religion on others. There is no ban on prayer in the US. There is no ban on saying Christ in the US. There is, however, a ban preventing the government from making people pray (either passively or actively trying).

Answer 6

You are right about the higher law, and I would like to think that I would have the guts to do that, but to be honest, it would be difficult for me to do so.

I have kids who depend on me, (but to whom I must also be an example) I have bills to pay, and responsibilities. It is a lot to ask of someone. I am not 18 anymore, more people than just myself would suffer from my actions.

So I would like to think that I would have the courage to join you in jail, but I am honset enough with myself to know that I might not.

Answer 7

I do not agree that I have to preach the gospel. I believe if you refer to Romans you will see that we all have a purpose under God and not everyone is to "preach". We are to WITNESS...and there are many ways and many interpretations of the word Witness.

Having said that, I disagree that there will ever be a law against speaking Christ's name (what would all the cursor's do when they hit their thumbs with a hammer). At the moment, fanatic and radical fundamentalist Christians are pretty much running our lives...so there is little likelihood of anyone in prison for speaking Christ's name in the NEAR future.

However, not being one who it controlled by law or much else and who believes that rules must be broken to be changed, no law would stop me from saying whatever I choose.

The Skeptical Christian, JPO
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 8

I will definitely join you in prison. We will all be at some point in time persecuted for our faith..and many of us already are being persecuted!!! SO let us all join hands and Praise the name of our Father in Heaven out loud while we have the chance to do it freely. And even when we don't, we can still praise his name freely behind bars!! :) God Bless You All!

Answer 9

Yes, If I was arrested for such a thing I'd want to make sure there was enough evidence to convict me.

I love Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God Almighty!

Amen!

Answer 10

I sure would, because there is no way I would deny my Lord! Some people think they would be fine if they did deny Him to save their lives, but then repented later. The Bible says:

But whososever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven. Matt. 10:33

So thats one thing that the Lord is not gonna forget...

Answer 11

YEP!
For the gospel of Christ can never be bound-- It will always be spread throughout the world! And right now in China, it is illegal and I know of some missionaries there who are sharing it secretly with others---did you know in China they call God, "Dad?"
Because they cannot say God. So those who are hearing the word over there, do speak of Him, only many do not know who they are speaking of. But God is definately proclaiming His power and glory over there!
Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

2 Timothy 1:8 (Paul says)
So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,