Pledge of Allegiance

[cross crusader]

would the apostle Paul have pledged allegiance to the flag of Rome? Or Israel? before everyone thinks i am anti-american, the reason i ask, I was just in the other room and i heard my son reciting the pledge of allegiance, word for word, now as a father i am very proud and it is the cutest thing ever, because he is 3, but are we really to do that? pledge our allegiance to America? SHouldn't our allegiance be toward God and GOd only, i mean we are no longer fighting wars of God like Israel, i mean taking over our promised land in the physical sense as a territory.(SPiritually we do.)but do you see what i mean? Is that something we really need to do or should do?
Disclaimer: i Love America and the pledge of allegiance. I am a vet during 9/11, and i support our troops. And i believe everyone should serve atleast 2 years in the military, i believe that is the greatest idea ever, other countries do it, we should to. To many people enjoy freedoms others have fought for. But Biblically speaking, shouldnt we only be pledging allegiance to Him?

[Followtheway]

Its funny that before I even opened up this thread that was the first thing that came to mind for me, I remembered the words "I pledge alliegence to the flag...." Or alliegence lies with the Lord. The thing Im very curious about is that I was looking into trying to be an assistant chaplain in the military and became curious if I would have to say that or be booted out, lol.

[revrobor]

The pledge does not say "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and not God...". We have a dual citizenship. We are citizens of Heaven first and then the United States. Somewhere you will find a pledge to the Christian flag (try your local Bible book store). If you're bothered by this then get a copy of it and teach it to your child. There is no Scripture prohibiting the pledge to the U.S.flag (although the JWs will argue differently).

[cross crusader]

The pledge does not say "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and not God...". We have a dual citizenship. We are citizens of Heaven first and then the United States. Somewhere you will find a pledge to the Christian flag (try your local Bible book store). If you're bothered by this then get a copy of it and teach it to your child. There is no Scripture prohibiting the pledge to the U.S.flag (although the JWs will argue differently).

i see what you are saying, but at the same time, was paul allegiant to Rome? or did he preach against them? i mean they were a pagan empire, much like America, (like it or not) was paul allegiant to them or God only? And as far as the christian flag, is that even biblical? i mean the children of israel, their allegiance was to God when they were warring, not the country of Israel. are we to be allegiant to an anti-christianity nation such as America, because face it as much as Americans claim christianity, there really is not a whole lot of fruit that would prove the claim.

[stillforgiven]

i see what you are saying, but at the same time, was paul allegiant to Rome? or did he preach against them? i mean they were a pagan empire, much like America, (like it or not) was paul allegiant to them or God only? And as far as the christian flag, is that even biblical? i mean the children of israel, their allegiance was to God when they were warring, not the country of Israel. are we to be allegiant to an anti-christianity nation such as America, because face it as much as Americans claim christianity, there really is not a whole lot of fruit that would prove the claim.

I don't know if Paul was truly allegiant to Rome, but he didn't have any issues with reminding people he was a full Roman citizen when it helped him out. It even caused the Roman guards to save him from being killed by Jews, and this was how he ended up in Rome if I remember correctly.

[revrobor]

i see what you are saying, but at the same time, was paul allegiant to Rome? or did he preach against them? i mean they were a pagan empire, much like America, (like it or not) was paul allegiant to them or God only? And as far as the christian flag, is that even biblical? i mean the children of israel, their allegiance was to God when they were warring, not the country of Israel. are we to be allegiant to an anti-christianity nation such as America, because face it as much as Americans claim christianity, there really is not a whole lot of fruit that would prove the claim.

Paul claimed his citizenship to Rome and appealed to Cesar when he was arrested. The pledge to the Christian flag is part of what we call the Christian religion created by men in that movement. I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ but no longer part of the Christian religion. Contrary to what many preachers are teaching you are correct the United States is no longer a "Christian" nation. But ask any immigrant if he'd like to go back to where he came from. The U.S is still one of the safest, most free "lands of opportunity" on the planet. When we pledge allegiance to the flag and the principles on which this nation was founded we are not saying we support all of today's stupid policies, politics and programs. Reciting the pledge is not required by law anywhere in this country.

[crossnote]

Paul claimed his citizenship to Rome and appealed to Cesar when he was arrested. The pledge to the Christian flag is part of what we call the Christian religion created by men in that movement. I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ but no longer part of the Christian religion. Contrary to what many preachers are teaching you are correct the United States is no longer a "Christian" nation. But ask any immigrant if he'd like to go back to where he came from. The U.S is still one of the safest, most free "lands of opportunity" on the planet. When we pledge allegiance to the flag and the principles on which this nation was founded we are not saying we support all of today's stupid policies, politics and programs. Reciting the pledge is not required by law anywhere in this country.

Are you saying then that there comes a point in a nations decadence that you would no longer pledge allegiance to it? Example?

[revrobor]

Are you saying then that there comes a point in a nations decadence that you would no longer pledge allegiance to it? Example?

If this nation's government acted with blatant disregard for the common good of the people and God's law I'd probably look for someplace else to live. It's been many decades since I've been asked to say the pledge. But the Star Spangled Banner still chokes me up.

[dan]

...Born a Roman Citizen, if I recall. But others had swords also, and for that reason alone, I'm sure that other Apostles were Citizens. For only Citizens carried swords.

Peter, for example.

ACTS 22:27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
ACTS 22:28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

Some had to pay to become Citizens, and they also took a public oath of allegiance to Rome. I believe that freeborn Citizens also took the oath at the age of majority.

[davidharding]

would the apostle Paul have pledged allegiance to the flag of Rome? Or Israel? before everyone thinks i am anti-american, the reason i ask, I was just in the other room and i heard my son reciting the pledge of allegiance, word for word, now as a father i am very proud and it is the cutest thing ever, because he is 3, but are we really to do that? pledge our allegiance to America? SHouldn't our allegiance be toward God and GOd only, i mean we are no longer fighting wars of God like Israel, i mean taking over our promised land in the physical sense as a territory.(SPiritually we do.)but do you see what i mean? Is that something we really need to do or should do?
Disclaimer: i Love America and the pledge of allegiance. I am a vet during 9/11, and i support our troops. And i believe everyone should serve atleast 2 years in the military, i believe that is the greatest idea ever, other countries do it, we should to. To many people enjoy freedoms others have fought for. But Biblically speaking, shouldnt we only be pledging allegiance to Him?

i am sure paul did say the equivalent in israel because he said he was a pharisee of pharisees. he was one of the top priests of the bunch before being converted

[markedward]

i am sure paul did say the equivalent in israel because he said he was a pharisee of pharisees. he was one of the top priests of the bunch before being converted

Two quick things. One, he called himself a "Hebrew of Hebrews" (though he did, immediately say "as to the law, a Pharisee"). Second, Paul was not a priest (let alone "one of the top priests"), because he was of the tribe of Benjamin (only those of the tribe of Levi could be priests). Just some minor corrections, if that's alright...

Personally, I do not participate in the Pledge. The first time I decided this, incidentally, was when I was in church on Memorial Day, and the head pastor asked for the congregation to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone stood and faced the flag, hand on their hearts. I remained seated (met with a swat on the back of the head from a girl in the youth group). That I did not join in surprised me at the time, but I am glad I did not do so. I will not condemn anyone for participating in the Pledge, but I cannot, in good conscience, pledge my allegiance to any earthly nation: my allegiance solely rests in God and his Kingdom. I will respect the authority of the United States government, as God is ultimately responsible for the US government being in power at all, and if it is any question, I certainly respect those individuals who have served, are serving, and will serve in the military in the measure of good conscience, but I owe no allegiance to any earthly nation.

[VerticalReality]

Two quick things. One, he called himself a "Hebrew of Hebrews" (though he did, immediately say "as to the law, a Pharisee"). Second, Paul was not a priest (let alone "one of the top priests"), because he was of the tribe of Benjamin (only those of the tribe of Levi could be priests). Just some minor corrections, if that's alright...

I would add to that as well that Paul was not really speaking in a positive light or boasting in any of that either. The context of the passage is basically stating that boasting in anything of the flesh is worthless next to knowing Him.

[Emanate]

i am sure paul did say the equivalent in israel because he said he was a pharisee of pharisees. he was one of the top priests of the bunch before being converted

Paul was not a priest.

[keck553]

Paul was not a priest.

I think he was from the tribe of Benjamin, not Levi.

[davidharding]

Paul was not a priest.

pharisees are priests