Bible Verses About Courts of Justice

For before these days rose up Theodas, affirming himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. Who was slain: and all that believed him were scattered and brought to nothing.

After this man, rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the enrolling, and drew away the people after him. He also perished: and all, even as many as consented to him, were dispersed.

And now, therefore, I say to you: Refrain from these men and let them alone. For if this council or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest perhaps you be found even to fight against God. And they consented to him.

And calling in the apostles, after they had scourged them, they charged them that they should not speak at all in the name of Jesus. And they dismissed them.

But her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, apprehending Paul and Silas, brought them into the market place to the rulers.

And presenting them to the magistrates, they said: These men disturb our city, being Jews:

And preach a fashion which it is not lawful for us to receive nor observe, being Romans.

And when they had bound him with thongs, Paul saith to the centurion that stood by him: Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned?

Which the centurion hearing, went to the tribune and told him, saying: What art thou about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.

And the tribune coming, said to him: Tell me. Art thou a Roman? But he said: Yea.

And the tribune answered: I obtained the being free of this city with a great sum. And Paul said: But I was born so.

Immediately therefore they departed from him that were about to torture him. The tribune also was afraid after he understood that he was a Roman citizen and because he had bound him.

Let every soul be subject to higher powers. For there is no power but from God: and those that are ordained of God.

Therefore, he that resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist purchase to themselves damnation.

For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same.

For he is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

Wherefore be subject of necessity: not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.