Bible Verses About Courts of Justice

For before these times, rose vp Theudas boasting himselfe, to whom resorted a number of men, about a foure hundreth, who was slaine: and they all which obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

After this man, arose vp Iudas of Galile, in the dayes of the tribute, and drewe away much people after him: hee also perished, and all that obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

And nowe I say vnto you, Refraine your selues from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsell, or this worke be of men, it will come to nought:

But if it be of God, ye can not destroy it, lest ye be found euen fighters against God.

And to him they agreed, and called the Apostles: and when they had beaten them, they commanded that they should not speake in the Name of Iesus, and let them goe.

Nowe when her masters sawe that the hope of their gaine was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drewe them into the market place vnto the Magistrates,

And brought them to the gouernours, saying, These men which are Iewes, trouble our citie,

And preache ordinances, which are not lawfull for vs to receiue, neither to obserue, seeing we are Romanes.

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul sayd vnto the Centurion that stood by, Is it lawfull for you to scourge one that is a Romane, and not condemned?

Nowe when the Centurion heard it, hee went, and tolde the chiefe captaine, saying, Take heede what thou doest: for this man is a Romane.

Then the chiefe captaine came, and sayd to him, Tel me, art thou a Romane? And he said, Yea.

And the chiefe captaine answered, With a great summe obtained I this freedome. Then Paul sayd, But I was so borne.

Then straightway they departed from him, which should haue examined him: and the chiefe captaine also was afrayd, after he knewe that hee was a Romane, and that he had bound him.

Let euery soule be subiect vnto the higher powers: for there is no power but of God: and the powers that be, are ordeined of God.

Whosoeuer therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receiue to themselues condemnation.

For Magistrates are not to be feared for good workes, but for euill. Wilt thou then bee without feare of the power? doe well: so shalt thou haue praise of the same.

For he is ye minister of God for thy wealth, but if thou do euill, feare: for he beareth not the sworde for nought: for he is the minister of God to take vengeance on him that doeth euill.

Wherefore ye must bee subiect, not because of wrath only, but also for conscience sake.