What does Jesus tell us? Show your love to those who represent the government. You are not to take revenge but to meet the authorities with love. Then too, pray for the government. (1 Tim. 2:1–2) It is utterly different from the Body of Christ, but it too serves God, though in a completely different sphere. The authorities are necessary; crime could not be kept under any kind of control without them. So you should recognize government authority but not become part of it. You are members of Christ, and Christ specifically rejected becoming a ruler. When they wanted to make Him a king, He escaped. (John 6:15) And when the Tempter came to Him and said, “Here, I will give you all the kingdoms of the world,” He refused. (Matt. 4:8–10) But He treated the authorities with respect.
- Eberhard Arnold, January 1935
August 26,2026
- Eberhard ArnoldOne sign of apostolic mission and outreach by all movements of the spirit in earlier Christianity and later the Hutterites is this: while it is the custom of the institutional churches and religious gatherings of all kinds, to prepare their meetings with propaganda and the ringing of church bells and illuminated advertisements, the apostolic messengers follow, from place to place, the active Spirit, who tells them where the expectant and prepared hearts are to be found, where the people are who are moved and touched by God’s Spirit, so that the decisive message may be brought to them. Such men are to be found everywhere. We must be led to them through the Holy Spirit who guides us; they must be led to us through the Holy Spirit who leads them.
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The springtime of the climbing sun alone could bring over the earth and all its inhabitants the sunny time, the longed-for, expected time, which alone can awaken life, strong, prolific and abiding life. At the end of the days, light was to triumph over darkness. The final springtime of all worlds and of all ages was one day to melt away the whole present age which is the cold, dead and dark wintertime, the deadening ice age of the present world, and do away with it for all time.
- Eberhard Arnold
That which holds back the awakening life of spring is the deadness of winter. That which is against warmth is deadening coldness. That which is against uniting love brings about disintegrating death. Death threatens life. Between light and darkness there is enmity and war to the last.
- Eberhard Arnold
