If the Apostle Peter were alive today, he would quite likely wear a mask in public if civil authorities required it or if those in charge of whatever public space in which he found himself asked him to wear one.
If picturing Peter alive and preaching in 2022 is too difficult to fathom, then imagine a pandemic breaking out in first-century Jerusalem. And imagine if city officials or the Roman governor (say Pontius Pilate) ordered all citizens in the city and its surrounding area to wear masks. If that had happened…
What do you think Peter would have done?
Let me know in the comments.
But for now, allow me to lay out my contention, which is:
If the Apostle Peter were alive today, he would comply with any and all civil mandates, so long as he could continue to glorify God and advance His kingdom. And that would include any mask mandates.
Is that how Christians see mask mandates today?
If Peter had the freedom of speech and the right to vote as accorded to 21st century Americans (I’m writing from an American context), then he would probably exercise those prerogatives to weigh in on matters of state or the community. And so, if Peter were alive today in 21st century America, I have no doubt he would be an informed voter and would at times speak out on some of the issues of today.
Accordingly, this article should not be construed as critical of any Christian who might express his or her opinion on COVID measures. If you agree or disagree with local, state, or national mask mandates and say so publicly, that’s not what this article is about. I believe in the freedom of speech.
Of course, the Bible has a lot to say about how we should speak out. But let’s get back to my main point, which is…
If Peter were alive today, he would comply with virtually all civil laws and ordinances, including mask mandates.
Don’t believe me?
How about we let Peter speak for himself? Here’s what he has to say on the subject of Christian interaction with civil authorities:
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
I Peter 2:11-17, NKJV
Read that again carefully. Go ahead. I’ll wait.
Read it again… slowly.
And carefully.
Now, in case it isn’t clear, let me unpack it a little bit…
Peter urges his audience (fellow believers in Christ) to see themselves as “sojourners and pilgrims” in this world. We’re just passing through. Our ultimate home is not in this fallen and sinful world. But…
While we are in this fallen and sinful world, Peter says we should make sure our “conduct” is “honorable” to those outside the faith. Peter identifies the Gentiles as being outsiders because, at the time, virtually all Gentiles were outside the Christian faith. But Peter had been called by God to reach the Gentiles for Christ, and indeed knew that all believers (including Jewish believers) were to do the same. And Peter understood the best way to win Gentiles to Christ was for the Gentiles to see Christ in the believers’ conduct.
Today, in 21st century America, most believers in Christ are Gentiles, so this passage may not “land” the way it should with some of you. But let me ask this:
Would most non-believers (those outside the Christian faith) characterize Christians as “honorable” in their “conduct” today?
Think about how Christians talk about politics and how they interact in the marketplace and the public square. Would you describe most Christians as “honorable” in those contexts?
And note that Peter doesn’t leave you with the “Well, it doesn’t matter what people think or say. It only matters what God thinks” defense. He takes that away from you. He is explicit: We (believers in Jesus Christ) are to make sure our lives and reputations are “honorable among the Gentiles” so that “when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (I Peter 2:12).
Read that again and note the “theys” in the verse. We are to be honorable so that when they speak against us as evildoers, they may glorify God!
Our main purpose is to live in such a way that we point people to God!
Please tell me how Christians who engage in hate, vitriol, slander, mockery, and scorn point people to God. And how do Christians that defy mask laws point people to Jesus?
This is where some Christians will break in with: “Wait a minute! What about the government shutting down churches?” And my response…
I’m not talking about the government shutting down churches in this post.
For the record, I support religious freedom and object to mandatory church shutdowns. But that’s for another article. My focus here is on mask mandates. And, again, I’m not arguing for (or against) mask mandates. I’m simply saying that, if he were alive today, Peter would comply with such mandates — and would likely urge you and me (if we desire to follow Christ) to do the same.
Peter of course doesn’t just leave it at how we need to live honorable lives respected even by non-believers. He continues by urging us to have a default attitude of submission to civil authorities.
According to Peter, we are to “submit” to “every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake” (I Peter 2:14).
The Greek word behind “submit” is to “arrange under” or to “stand under.” It is the same idea of a military rank structure. A major submits to the colonel who submits to the general, and so on. It’s the same in the workplace. We subordinate ourselves (or at least we should) to our bosses.
The church I’m honored to serve is located in Montgomery County, Maryland — a county that currently has the following mandate in place (as of February 4, 2022): “All persons in Montgomery County over the age of two must wear a face covering in any location accessible to the public.”
And yes, this includes churches.
Do I like this policy?
No.
I personally have reservations about mandatory mask policies in general, but since I’m a pastor and this is a pastoral blog — I will set that aside and stay focused on churches and believers. And thus, when it comes to my political beliefs, I will say this…
I believe the government (at all levels) should defer to churches and let them make their own call when it comes to masks, social distancing, vaccines, or any COVID-related protocols.
At the same time, I acknowledge the seriousness of COVID and agree it’s important that we all work toward the health and safety of our society. And I know churches can be spreader events, so I understand the concern — especially with larger churches.
Still… the First Amendment is the First Amendment.
And I get very uncomfortable (speaking as a private citizen) with letting the government have the power to declare an “emergency” and then suspend our civil rights. Where does that stop? What (if any) is the limiting principle to such an exercise of power?
Nevertheless, do you honestly think Emperor Nero (the Roman emperor at the time Peter wrote his epistle) concerned himself with civil rights or limiting principles when it came to imperial authority?
If Peter and Paul could generally submit to Roman imperial authority (except when it directly stood in the way of the gospel of Christ), I think you and I can handle a mask mandate — as inconvenient or as frustrating as it may be.
Bottom line: We are to submit to authority.
A lot of Christians, especially those living in America, have a hard time with authority. But what Peter says in his epistle is consistent with Paul’s instructions:
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
Paul the Apostle, Titus 3:1-2, NKJV
How many Christians today “subject” themselves willingly to civil authorities? How many Christians, when they do have objections or concerns, “speak evil of no one” but are instead “peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men”?
How many?
Do you?
It’s pretty clear that Peter would tell Christians today:
Submit to the mask mandates for the Lord’s sake.
And if you don’t agree with me, then let me say it plainly:
You are allowing your political opinions and aggravation to cloud and compromise your reading of God’s word. Your political views should always be subordinate to the will of God.
Always.
Once again, I’m not saying that I agree with all civil laws and rulers. I do not. And I’m also not saying I agree with all the mask mandates. But…
I do submit to God. At least I strive to do so.
And so should you.
Therefore, if the state or county in which I serve as pastor tells us we have to wear masks indoors, then we (as a church) will comply with that — so long as I have anything to say on the matter.
I’m willing to submit to some laws I don’t like or agree with because that’s what the Bible tells me to do and because Peter says my doing so brings credit to the cause of Christ.
And nothing is more important than the cause of Jesus Christ.
God bless you.
I appreciate this article for helping me think through this issue and be settled with it.