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Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: Acts 4:32-37 communal living — why don't churches do this? Context: Jews from around the world came to Jerusalem for Pentecost, got saved, and didn't want to leave. They sold possessions to pool resources and learn from the apostles. This was a unique situation, not a policy — it doesn't appear in Ephesus, Corinth, or Antioch.

Q&A — Acts 4 communalism

Acts 4:32-37 Pentecost Pentecost Acts 4:32-37
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-18

Q&A livestream during early COVID lockdown period. Mike announces he'll livestream his Sunday night Bible study from home due to government guidelines.

Introduction — COVID-era Q&A

COVID lockdown
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-16

Romans 13: Christians should generally obey government unless commanded to sin. Closing churches during a global health crisis isn't persecution — it's a quarantine affecting everyone. Government conspiracy theories about using COVID to target churches are unfounded (China was already persecuting churches without needing excuses). The line: obey until they demand disobedience to God.

Government authority and Romans 13

Romans 13 Romans 13 Romans 13 Romans 13 church closures
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-16

Q: Is this a case of obeying authorities when it doesn't conflict with God's law? Yes. If not going to church were sinful, defy the order. But missing a season of gathering isn't forsaking fellowship — people hospitalized for a month aren't forsaking fellowship either. The principle is proportionate and temporary.

Q&A — obeying authority and church attendance

Hebrews 10:25 Hebrews 10:25 government obedience forsaking assembly
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-29

Q&A: Death penalty is biblically valid. Genesis 9:5-6 (pre-Mosaic, given to all humanity): whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed — because man is made in God's image. Society has a mandate to execute justice. Romans 13:4: government bears the sword as God's servant/avenger. The sword = general governmental authority, which includes capital punishment for murder under certain conditions.

Q&A — death penalty

Romans 13:4 Genesis 9:5-6 Romans 13:4 imago Dei death penalty
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-19

Mark 12:13-17 ("Render to Caesar") is one of the most political NT passages — the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with a question about the poll tax, and Jesus's answer gives principles for Christian politics.

Introduction to Mark Series pt 47 on the tribute to Caesar

Mark 12:13-17 Mark series render to Caesar Mark 12:13-17 render to Caesar
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-19

Christians should pay taxes even to corrupt governments that use money for immoral purposes — Jesus said to pay taxes to Rome, which would use that money to crucify him. Romans 13:1-7 teaches we OWE government obedience, taxes, fear, and honor.

Biblical teaching on taxes, submission to government, and Romans 13

Romans 13:1-7 Matthew 5:41 submission to government Romans 13:1-7 Matthew 5:41
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-19

Honor the office even when you despise the officeholder — "salute the rank, not the person." Christians who only honor leaders they agree with are operating from party affiliation, not biblical integrity.

Biblical principle of honoring government leaders regardless of party

1 Peter 2:13 Romans 13:1-7 1 Peter 2:13 Romans 13:1-7 Christian politics
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-02

The death penalty is clearly supported by Scripture. Genesis 9:5-6 — given to ALL humanity (not just Israel) — establishes capital punishment for murder based on the image of God: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed."

The foundational biblical case for the death penalty from Genesis 9

Genesis 9:5-6 image of God image of God capital punishment
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-02

Romans 13:1-4 endorses the death penalty in the NEW Testament era — the government "bears the sword" as "God's avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." Romans 12:19 commands individuals NOT to avenge — leave it to government.

Romans 13 as NT endorsement of the death penalty, paired with Romans 12

Romans 13:1-7 Romans 12:19 death penalty Romans 13:1-7 Romans 12:19
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-02

Objections answered: (1) Jesus's "turn the other cheek" refutes personal vengeance, not governmental justice; (2) David's pardon is a divine exception, not a rule; (3) John 8 (woman in adultery) was a mob, not a court — and the passage is textually questionable.

Responding to objections against the death penalty

John 8 woman adultery Matthew 5 eye for eye death penalty John 8 woman adultery Matthew 5 eye for eye
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

Should we be Worried about Gov’t Control?: Should Christians be worried about government control? I have friends not getting the Covid vaccine because "it's a way to be controlled by the government.” I want to think biblically about this.

Q&A question: Should we be Worried about Gov’t Control?
Mike Winger idea 2022-09-02

Were the Nazis Appointed by God?: Were the Nazis as a government authority "appointed by God" according to Romans 13?

Q&A question: Were the Nazis Appointed by God?

Romans 13 Romans 13
Mike Winger idea 2023-12-01

Uphold the Constitution vs. Obey Government?: In general, Christians should not rebel against the government without biblical reason, but as one in the military, should I keep my oath to defend the Constitution if the government violates it?

Q&A question: Uphold the Constitution vs. Obey Government?
Mike Winger idea 2025-01-03

Should Morality be Legislated?: How do I respond to a Christian who thinks things (like abortion and transgenderism) are wrong but that they shouldn’t vote to have the government legislate against it to restrain/correct non-Christians (forcing it on them)?

Q&A question: Should Morality be Legislated?

abortion
Mike Winger idea 2025-03-21

Winger says there is no biblical requirement for an ordained person to officiate a wedding — marriage is a public covenant between a man and woman, and the authority to marry doesn't reside in a pastor, government, or anyone else. He wrestles with whether to recommend a woman officiate for non-believing family.

Q from a female believer: brother (non-believer) asked her to officiate his wedding; only option is online ordination, which feels like mocking God.

women in ministry elder qualifications elder qualifications
Mike Winger idea 2026-02-06

Romans 13 & Corrupt Government: Many preachers use Romans 13 to promote supporting our current governmental leadership. Yet those same preachers were anti-Biden or anti-Democratic when he was in office. How do we walk that out rightly?

Q&A question: Romans 13 & Corrupt Government

Romans 13 Romans 13
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