The Doctrine of Nonresistance, often called the Peace Doctrine, was taught by the Prince of Peace himself. He taught it by precept and example. The disciples of Jesus understood His teaching very well, and consequently were well qualified to also teach it and live by it. The early Christians, and the Church ever since, have found this to be the "way" of Christian living. It seems to be a mystery to human reasoning. But for those of us in whom "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us" (Romans 5:5), it remains no question.
For those who would like to understand "the way of God more perfectly," these Questions and Answers are written.
Nonresistance
1. What is nonresistance? Nonresistance is love in action.
2. Where do we get the name? It is derived from our Savior's teaching in Matthew 5:39, "Resist not evil."
3. What is the living principle of this doctrine? Peace.
4. Who is the author of it? Christ, "The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
5. Is this one of His foremost teachings? It is. He taught it in precept and by example.
6. How did He teach the Peace Doctrine or nonresistance? He started out by telling His disciples "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9).
7. What is a peacemaker? One who makes peace, as by settling quarrels by peaceful means.
8. What is Christ's teaching with reference to quarrels? "If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also" (Matthew 5:40).
9. What would this be called? Going the second mile- "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain" (v. 41).
10. Did the apostles teach this also? "If any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you" (Colossians 3:13).
11. How did Christ teach against retaliation? "Ye have heard that it hath been said. An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil" (Matthew 5:38,39).
12. How does the apostle Paul confirm this? "Recompense to no man evil for evil" (Romans 12:17); "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath" (v. 19).
13. How did Peter teach against revenge? “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing" (1 Peter 3:9).
14. How did Christ teach love in action? "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
15. What would be their reward? "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven" (v. 45).
16. What is Paul's teaching on love in action? "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink, for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head? (Romans 12:20).
17. What enables a person to bestow such kindness even unto enemies? When "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us" (Romans 5:5), and "Being made conformable unto his death" (Philippians 3:10), it is no mystery.
18. Does Christ expect His children to live by this precept today? It is His will that all men should accept Him as their Savior and live by this rule- "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:20).
19. What is the wish of the Prince of Peace concerning the state of man on earth? That "on the earth peace, good will toward men" would universally reign (Luke 2:14).
20. Toward what should our efforts be directed to foster peace? "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18), and tell people the good news-how they also may have peace in their hearts.
21. What is the "Golden Rule"? "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Matthew 7:12).
22. What does Christ say about His Kingdom? "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36).
23. What did He tell His disciples when they tried to protect Him by the sword? "Put up again thy sword unto his place" (Matthew 26:52).
24. For what reason? He himself was living the exemplary life, and His kingdom was a spiritual kingdom. It was not to be fought for but lived for.
25. Was there not another lesson in this for His children? "For all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matthew 26:52).
26. Does that mean that all who use the sword shall die by the sword? That is what it says "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man (Genesis 9:6).
27. What evidence have we that the people understood Jesus taught nonresistance? "If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation" (John 11:48).
28. How did Jesus take abuse? "When he was reviled, reviled not again when he suffered, he threatened not" (1 Peter 2:23).
29. May Christians not learn a lesson from it? "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow (in) his steps" (v. 21).
30. Is there anything in the teachings of either Christ or the apostles which would justify the taking of life in self-defense? There is not. Jesus says, "Thou shalt do no murder" (Matthew 19:18). The scriptures already quoted leave no exceptions to the doctrine of nonresistance.
31. Is it right to let others run over you without offering resistance? That is what the Bible teaches (Matthew 5:38-45: Romans 12:17-21, 1 Peter 2:20-24).
32. Is there a promise to those who commit themselves to God? Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10,11).
33. What other promise is there for the comfort of those who remain steadfast in the Christian doctrines? "When a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7).
34. Why should we consider it sinful to engage in carnal warfare when men like Joshua and David and the children of Israel as a nation waged war? They lived in an age when God meted out justice and punished sin by that method. When Christ came a new era was ushered in-that of grace and mercy. He taught the way of love.
35. Didn't the sixth commandment also forbid killing? Yes, it says, "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). It was also wrong for individuals at that time to commit voluntary murder (Numbers 35:16-21).
36. Could a civil government under present world conditions exist without the enforcement of its laws?
". . .Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same... he beareth not the sword in vain, for he is the minister of God, a revenge to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (Romans 13:3,4).
37. Does not the Word of God teach us to be subject unto the higher powers? Yes it does in Romans 13:1. "Subject" means submission as opposed to rebellion. We are not to revolt against the government.
38. How can a Christian then refuse to serve in a civil capacity? Jesus says, "Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world" (John 15:19).
39. What if one is called by the authorities for defense? The apostle said, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
40. What is Christ's new commandment? “A new commandment I give unto you That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34, 35).
41. What is the opposite of love? Hate.
42. What does the Bible say about hate? Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him" (1 John 3:15).
43. What are a Christian's weapons? "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (2 Corinthians 10:4). "The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).
44. Did the prophets foretell that believers in the new era would not learn to war? "They shall beat their swords into plow shares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2:4).
45 Doesn't this mean an "Utopian" period of Christ's reign? Whether it is named "Utopian" or something else, it definitely describes the early Apostolic Church, when all nationalities were blended into one brotherhood and exemplified practicing nonresistance as well as carrying forth the Gospel (Acts 2). Jesus said, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation (outward show); Neither shall they say, Lo here! or to there! for, behold the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20, 21). This is a spiritual kingdom.
46. How has the Church held to the nonresistant way of life through the years? As far as can be traced the Church of God has adhered to the Peace Doctrine Throughout the years. They often suffered persecution because they didn't retaliate, as also did the Apostolic Church.
47. What qualities are apparent in a nonresistant attitude? Love, peace, meekness, tenderness, longsuffering, forgiveness, goodwill, kindness, forbearance.
48. What qualities denote the absence of this spirit? Bitterness, revengefulness-a disposition to scold, quarrel, find fault, to be overbearing, hateful, and a lashing tongue.
49. What does nonresistance do for a home? It makes quarreling impossible and fills the home with love, peace, and good will.
50. What does it do for the Church? Such a Church exemplifies the Christ like Spirit, unifies and strengthens its membership, and deprives the devil of his chief weapon.
51. What would it do to business? Put an end to lawsuits, put trusts and labor unions out of business, and enthrone peace and goodwill as successors to strife and contention.
52. What would it do for nations? War would cease, armed forces be disarmed, the spirit of militarism and barbarism be banished, and the enormous expenditures and energy thus released would be directed to peace and righteousness.
53. What rule, when practiced, proves that we have the correct attitude toward God and man? "Let all bitterness, and wrath and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving, one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:31,32). "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and prophets" (Matthew 7:12).