Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/281

37* This people believing in Christ was organized in two manners or fashions by the apostles. One was the outward, material aspect of making them live properly together among this two-fold and hostile people in a manner befitting saints. They were told therefore to pay their taxes to the highest authorities and to obey them in all reasonable matters so as not to give opportunity for the pagan rulers and tax lords to say: "They are proud (these Christians), they themselves want to be lords, ruling over our possessions." In such a case they would immediately attack them and their faith and forbid the preaching of Christ's on their domains. The apostles saw to it therefore that the Christians be subject to the authorities in all material matters of service: paying their taxes and toll-money and due respect.

Secondly, they were to live humbly among Gentiles and Jews, conducting themselves in an exemplary way, as Saint Peter had taught them:

By such correct, meek and exemplary living they would get along much better with their fellow Gentiles and Jews, I-Peter 2:12.