A Balanced and Biblical Response to Lockdowns and Masks

1. A BALANCED and BIBLICAL RESPONSE
to LOCKDOWNS and MASKS
By Dr. Peter Hammond

3. A BALANCED and BIBLICAL RESPONSE
to LOCKDOWNS and MASKS
By Dr. Peter Hammond

4. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which
Christ has made us free and do not be
entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
Galatians 5:1

5. Civil Authority is Delegated, Limited and Accountable
To the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, our Lord Jesus Christ
declared: “You could have no power at all against Me unless it
had been given you from above.” John 19:11.

6. Clearly, all authority is delegated by God and all authority is
answerable to God. Authority is limited, delegated and
accountable to God.

7. Ministry
of
Justice
The Bible is
very clear that
God has
instituted civil
government as
“an
agent of wrath
to bring
punishment
on the
wrong-doer.”
Romans 13:4.

8. Civil governments are called to
a minister of God’s Justice:
“to punish those who do wrong.” 1 Peter 2:14

9. To Protect and to Serve
The Bible makes it clear that the primary duties and
responsibilities of any civil authority are the protection of law-
abiding citizens and the punishment of law-breaking criminals.

10. Psalm 101, reminds us that the duty of God-honouring rulers is to
destroy the wicked, to root out evil and to protect the law-abiding.

11. Render Unto Caesar
the Things That Are Caesars
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught that we are to: “render therefore to
Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that
are God’s.” Luke 20:25.

12. To illustrate this, our Lord held up a coin and asked: “Whose
image and inscription does it have?” They answered and said:
“Caesars” Luke 20:24. We are to render to Caesar the things that
belong to Caesar (such as taxes).

13. And To God the Things That Are God’s
By way of contrast, anything having the image of God (e.g.
children) do not belong to the state. Children are not made in the
image of Caesar, but in the image of God.

14. We are to render to Caesar
the things that belong to
Caesar. Not everything that
Caesar demands.
Caesar receives the coin.
Everything else
belongs to God.

15. The Sanctity of Life
The sanctity of life is the foundation for the establishment of all
government. For this reason, God commanded that: “Whoever
sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the
image of God, He made man.” Genesis 9:6

16. Respect for Life
The priority of any government is to protect the right to life of
preborn babies and every other law-abiding member of society.

17. Because those made in the image of God have inherent value,
God has declared that anyone who takes the life of an innocent
human being is to be executed.

18. Murderers forfeit
their lives
by showing contempt
for the lives of others
(Exodus 21:12-16; Leviticus
24:17-22; Numbers 35:33;
Romans 13:4; 1 Peter 2:14).

19. The Creation Mandate
The Creation Mandate clearly includes the right to life, to liberty
and to private ownership of property.

20. “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;
have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the
birds of the air and over every living thing that
moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28

21. Decentralisation to Restrain the Depravity of Man
Because of the depravity of man, God requires a decentralised
state with most responsibilities and powers resting on local
government, the family and the individual (Exodus 24:1;
Deuteronomy 1:13-17; Acts 17:26).

22. Centralisation of Power
is a Pagan Tendency
Centralisation of power in a unitary state has always been a
pagan tendency, as seen in Nineveh, Egypt and Babel
(Genesis 10:11; 11:1).

23. Checks and Balances
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is
necessary to limit and divide the powers of government in a
system of checks and balances.

24. Biblically, governments need to be separated into Executive,
Legislative and Judicial branches of government
(Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 33:22).

25. The Four Spheres of Government
God has instituted four spheres of government:

26. 1. Self-government – symbolised by our conscience
(Proverbs 16:32; 1 Timothy 3:4-5; 2 Peter 1:6);

27. 2. Family government – symbolised by the rod of discipline
(Deuteronomy 6:1-7; Ephesians 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:4-5);

28. 3. Church government – symbolised by the keys of church
discipline (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9);

29. 4. Civil government – symbolised by the Sword of Justice
(Genesis 9:5-7; Romans 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14).

30. “… where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
2 Corinthians 3:17

31. Civil Servants Are to Serve
In the teachings of our Lord, it is clear that civil authorities are to
be public servants (Matthew 20:25-28);

32. “The kings of the Gentiles
exercise lordship over
them and those who
exercise authority over
them are called
‘benefactors.’
But not so among you; on
the contrary, he who is
greatest among you, let
him be as the younger,
and he who governs as
he who serves.”
Luke 22:25-26

33. Government is to Serve its Citizens
It is for this reason that officials in civil government are called:
“ministers,” or servants/deacons of God
(Romans 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14).

34. The concept that civil government is a servant of its citizens is
uniquely a Christian idea that originated from these verses, hence
the term “Prime Minister” – as the First Servant.

35. Lex Rex
In the landmark book, Lex Rex (or The Law and the Prince),
written by Samuel Rutherford (published in 1644), the
Reformation principle is expounded that to be valid, all law needs
to be rooted and grounded in God’s Law.

36. For centuries, the prevailing philosophy had been Rex Lex, the
Latin phrase meaning that the King is the law. The Reformers
reversed this Latin Phrase to Lex Rex. The Law is King!

37. The King is under the law. All civil authority is delegated by God
and is limited and answerable to God. Obedience to tyrants and
unjust laws is rebellion against God.

38. In Defence of Liberty Against Tyrants
Similarly, the Huguenot book: Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos
(In Defence of Liberty Against Tyrants), makes the point that as
citizens owe allegiance to their king, the king owes allegiance to
the King of kings.

39. If the king is in rebellion to the King of kings, we may not join in
that king’s rebellion. We have a higher allegiance.

40. Scottish Reformer, John Knox, declared
“Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!”

41. Refusal to Obey Wicked Decrees is
Commended by God
Hence, when pharaoh of Egypt ordered the midwives to
kill newborn Hebrew boys, “the midwives feared God
and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them,
but saved the male children alive.” Exodus 1:17.

42. This act of disobedience to the wicked command of Pharaoh is
commended in the Hall of Faith. “By faith Moses, when he was
born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw
he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s
command.” Hebrews 11:23

43. When Authorities
Attempt to Limit
the Fulfillment of
the Great
Commission
We read that the
Sanhedrin commanded
the Apostles:
“…not to speak at
all nor teach in the
Name of Jesus.”
Acts 4:18.

44. “But Peter and John answered and said to them,
“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you
more than to God, you judge.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen
and heard.” Acts 4:19-20

45. Prayer for Boldness, to Disobey
the Sanhedrin, Blessed by God
Despite further threats, the disciples of Jesus prayed for the
boldness to disobey the Sanhedrin. “Now, Lord, look on their
threats and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may
speak Your Word…

46. And when they had prayed, the place where they
were assembled together was shaken; and they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke
the Word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29, 31

47. We Must Obey God Rather Than Man
When the Apostle Peter was arrested and brought again before
the Sanhedrin, the High Priest demanded: “Did we not strictly
command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled
Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this Man’s blood
on us! But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We
ought to obey God rather than men.’” Acts 5:28-29

48. Only God is All Knowing,
All Wise and Infallible
Government is not God. They are not our Lord and Saviour! They
are not all-knowing. Nor are governments all wise. Governments
are not infallible. Only God, our Creator and Eternal Judge is
all-knowing, all-wise, everywhere present and infallible.

49. God’s Law is real Law.
All man-made laws must be
grounded in God’s Law and
must flow from the principles of
the Law of God.
Any Law not consistent with
God’s Law is no law at all.
It is invalid.

50. “To the Law and to the testimony!
If they do not speak according to this
Word, it is because there is
no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20.

51. Truth Does Not Fear Investigation
“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall
make you free… Therefore, if the Son makes you
free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:32, 36

52. “of the sons of Issachar who had
understanding of the times, to know what
Israel ought to do…” 1 Chronicles 12:32

53. Lockdown Lunacy Economic Suicide
The Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020 have been unjustified by
scientific research.

54. Covid-19 has not proven to be anything near as deadly as the
Bubonic plague, nor as devastating as the Spanish Flu.

55. There is no proven medical justification for locking
down over 3 billion people and committing what
amounted to economic suicide. Although the term
“suicide” suggests a voluntary act,
economic murder would be more accurate.

56. The jobs of tens of millions of people worldwide have been
undermined and destroyed.

57. Big Tech, Big Pharma and Big Government have united to crush
family businesses and the small entrepreneurs.

58. The Covid-19 Lockdowns have proven to be a cover for colossal
corruption and for communist centralisation and control.

59. “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only
do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but
through love serve one another. For all the Law is
fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love
your neighbour as yourself.’” Galatians 5:13-14

60. The Committee for Public Safety
The French Revolution was government by a committee.

61. The so-called “Committee for Public Safety” under the
chairmanship of Maximillian Robespierre, chose who to guillotine.

62. Over 40,000 Frenchmen lost their heads to the guillotine by order
of the Committee for Public Safety.

63. A further 300,000 were killed by firing squads and millions more
died in the ruinous 25-years of Revolutionary wars that flowed
from the French Revolution.

64. Government by Committee
The word Soviet means Committee.
As in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

65. Hence, when the South African ANC government chose to sideline
parliament and replace it with a committee of 6…

66. committee of 6 who they assured us
“consult their ancestors”!
It was an ominous sign.

68. Not only has parliament been side-lined, but the Bill of Rights
has been effectively suspended by martial law-type lockdowns
and curfews.

69. Unconstitutional
No law is valid if
it violates the
Bill of Rights.

70. Yet, the extraordinary Covid-19 state of
emergency/disaster has violated the essential
freedoms…

71. Freedom of Religion, Belief & Worship

72. and freedom of opinion;

73. freedom of conscience;

74. freedom of thought;

75. freedom of expression;

76. freedom of the press;

77. freedom of association;

78. freedom of assembly;

79. and freedom to demonstration;

80. freedom of movement,

81. and freedom of trade,

84. occupation, trade and profession.

88. The lockdown was clearly unconstitutional. No politicians have
the right to declare people’s livelihoods “non-essential!”

90. Suffocating Society
The lockdown has also seriously curtailed the “freedom for
cultural, religious and linguistic communities to gather and
practise their religion in free association with others.”

91. Unnecessary and Counter Productive
The lockdown also violated principles of the rule of law
by presumption of guilt.

92. If masks work, why were lockdowns necessary? If lockdowns
work, why are masks necessary?

93. Why wear masks when on your own in your home, or car?

94. Why do people walking alone outdoors need to wear a mask?

99. Is there any medical science justifying such extraordinary and
unprecedented requirements?

100. Traffic Accidents
To put this into perspective, the World Health Organisation (WHO)
website under Global Health Observatory (GHO)/Road Safety,
reports that 1,315,000 die each year from road accidents.

101. Tuberculosis
On the who.int newsroom/fact sheets/details/tuberculosis, reports
that each year, 10 million people fall ill with Tuberculosis (TB) and
1.5 million people die from TB each year.

102. Malaria
According to WHO, there were 228 million cases of Malaria last
year, with over 405,000 deaths from Malaria.

103. Alcohol
Alcohol consumption contributes to 3 million
deaths each year globally, as well as to
disabilities and poor health of millions more.

104. Tobacco
Each year more than 8 million people die from Tobacco
use. Second hand Tobacco smoke contributes to heart
disease, cancer and other diseases, causing an
additional 1.2 million deaths in a year.

105. Obesity
For that matter, obesity causes over 4 million deaths
each year.

106. STDs
WHO claims that there are 376 million new infections
with sexually transmitted diseases each year.

107. Cancer
According to WHO, over 9.6 million deaths are caused each year
by cancer (particularly lung, prostrate, stomach, liver, breast and
cervical cancer).

108. Stampeded by Sensational Speculations
So, we should try to keep a balanced perspective and avoid being
stampeded into panic by sensational reports in the media, or by
questionable claims and responses by politicians and
bureaucrats, who use medical crises to infringe on personal
freedom of movement and initiate intrusive procedures, which
impact economies and societies dramatically.

109. It is likely that far more people and business will be ruined
economically by the responses to the Coronavirus,
than will actually be affected by the virus directly.

110. Love and Compassion
It is always wise to be prudent and take reasonable measures to
protect the health of ourselves and our loved ones. Particularly
those who serve in healthcare should balance prudence with
compassion as they serve those who need their care.

111. Our Lord Jesus and His followers have always
given special attention to the sick, who were
socially stigmatised and isolated, such as lepers.

112. The Bible includes numerous hygiene laws and practices and
while we should steadfastly refuse to be stampeded into panic by
sensational speculations and professional fear-mongers, we need
to be wise and prudent.

114. The Covid Cult
We are facing a Covid cult with dogmatic demands to accept and
comply, to submit and not question. Anyone questioning the
masquerade is subject to shunning and inquisition-like
persecution.

131. Covid-1984
No wonder many are referring to it as Covid-1984. George
Orwell’s prophetic warning political satire 1984, seems ominously
relevant today.

132. Where the
Ministry of Truth
deals with lies,

133. the Ministry of Plenty deals with starvation and rationing,

134. the Ministry of Love deals with torture

135. and the Ministry of Peace deals with war.

136. The media communicate
in newspeak
and double-think
and any one questioning
the official party line
are guilty of a
Thought crime
enforced by
Thought Police.

137. Those questioning the politically correct narrative can become
unpersons, vapourised and disappear down the memory hole.

140. Blatant Hypocrisy
The hypocrisy, double-standards and inconsistency of those
advocating social distancing

141. could be seen in the bizarre leftist justification of BLM-
ANTIFA/EFF riots by the same people who condemned anti-
lockdown protests as “threats” to “spreading the virus”!

142. Unprecedented
Ignoring real crime and real threats, governments have poured
unprecedented amount of resources and energy into enforcing
mindless requirements for even children at school to wear masks
all the time and locking down even churches over Easter.

143. To this day, many congregations are not able to gather as
government regulations have prevented any churches meeting in
a school, scout or guide hall. Right of assembly has been
suspended.

145. Disproportionate
When restaurant and hospitality industry workers peacefully
protested in Cape Town, they were met with unprecedented
violence by police, who had stood by doing nothing while mobs
looted, burned and ransacked.

146. However peaceful restauranteurs and hospitality workers were
water cannoned, had stun grenades thrown at them and tear gas
used to disperse their orderly march.

149. “And that they may come to their senses and escape
the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by
him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26

157. Masks Dehumanise
Masks dehumanise. This is the reason why people placed in front
of firing squads traditionally have been made to wear a mask.

158. This is not because of any concern for the person about to be
shot, it is because it makes the task of the firing squad easier
when the victim is dehumanised by having their face obscured.

159. It has long been recognised that forcing Muslim women in the
Middle East to wear a veil is dehumanising.

166. Anonymity Encourages
Irresponsibility and Unaccountability
France forbade women to wear masks/veils in public for multiple
reasons, including not to obscure one’s identity, responsibility for
actions, or accountability for behaviour.

168. Facial recognition, much like number plates on cars and trucks
are essential in a law-abiding society.

169. Interestingly enough, South African law concerning protests
passed in 1996, forbids the wearing of masks at any protest. This
is so that people’s identity can be determined in the event of any
irresponsible action to be able to call each person to account for
what they have done.

170. Crime seeks anonymity.

171. Unmask the Masquerade
There is a need for courage, integrity and steadfastness. The
Cultural Mandate of Genesis 1:28 and the Great Commission of
Matthew 28:18-20, are being stifled and suffocated by lockdown
regulations. We need to unmask the truth behind the masquerade.

173. Deadly Ideologies
It would also be worthwhile to point out that while the Coronavirus
from China has killed several thousand people, the communist
ideology killed over 69 million people in China and well over 100
more million worldwide.

174. It is not only physical diseases, but also ideological and spiritual
diseases, which we should be concerned about. See the video
The Greatest Killer.

176. “Their throat is an open tomb;
with their tongues they have practiced deceit;
the poison of asps is under their lips;
whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.

177. Their feet are swift to shed blood;
destruction and misery are in their ways;
and the way of peace they have not known.
There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Romans 3:13-18

180. Where the Battle Rages Loyalty is Proved
As professor Martin Luther so eloquently described: “If I profess
with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the
Word of God except precisely that point which the world and the
devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ,
however boldly I may be professing Him.

181. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is
proved; and to be steady on all the battle front besides, is mere
flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.”

182. No Government Has the Right to
Interfere in the Cultural Mandate or
the Great Commission
Civil authorities have greatly over reached themselves and
exceeded their authority when they infringed on the essential
activities of employers and employees, economic or agricultural
enterprises, or the fulfilment of the Creation Mandate and the
Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.

183. We must obey God rather than man.

184. Dr Peter Hammond
Reformation Society
P.O. Box 74
Newlands, 7725
Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: (021) 689 4480
Fax: (021) 685 5884
Email: info@ReformationSA.org
Website: www.ReformationSA.org

186. www.FrontlineMissionSA.org