The Bible directs the followers of Jesus to be subject to the powers that be. In Rom. 13:1-7 the Apostle Paul explains that those who are in authority are there by God's appointment. We are to give to them all their dues — taxes to whom taxes are due, custom to whom custom is due, fear (in the sense of obedience and duty) to whom fear is due and honor (of the office) to whom honor is due. The Apostle Peter said in 1 Pet 2:13-17, "Then be obedient to every law of man for the Lord's sake…honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor him who rules." When Jesus was asked if it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar, he answered, "Give to Caesar the things of Caesar and to God the things of God." (Matt. 22:21)

The scriptures make a distinction between laws of the land and the laws of God. Neither Jesus nor the apostles interfered with earthly rulers in any way. They taught Christians to respect those in authority and to offer no resistance to any established law EXCEPT where they are in conflict with God's laws. Acts 5:29, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Also, Acts 4:19.)

It would be wrong to violate one's conscience. One clear case of this exception is found in Daniel 3. The three Hebrews were commanded by law to bow and worship before the golden statue. They disobeyed Nebuchadnezzar and said, “…we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Dan. 3:18. For this act of obeying God, they were thrown into the fiery furnace. We are thankful that God chose to  miraculously save their lives!

As Christians we learn that God is permitting mankind to attempt to rule himself. It is through the experience of attempting self-rule (without recognizing God’s laws) that mankind is learning that we cannot establish a righteous government without God’s power and wisdom. So we obey the current powers all the while praying, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in heaven." “For when the judgments of the Lord are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isa 26:9)