Jack Hibbs Podcast

Episode: What Is The Role of a Christian?
Date: December 22, 2025
Host: Jack Hibbs
Source: JackHibbs.com

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jack Hibbs tackles the critical question: What is the role of a Christian, especially in today's challenging cultural and political climate? Speaking candidly and passionately, Hibbs outlines how Christians are called to live out their faith: as exemplary citizens, steadfast followers of Jesus, and courageous voices in society. Drawing from biblical texts and personal observations, he emphasizes both the privileges and the difficulties of Christian life, urging believers to maintain integrity, honor, and obedience to God above all—even when it brings resistance or persecution.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Christian’s Role in Society and Government

[01:22-07:00]

• Eight Characteristics of Christians in Public Life:

  • The most biblical and God-honoring people.
  • The best citizens of any community.
  • The wisest voices in both private and public forums.
  • The conscience of their city, state, or nation.
  • The brightest lights in the darkest of places.
  • The "saltiest of salts" where there is moral decay.
  • The most loving and attractive in the culture.
  • Often, the most hated and rejected among those who disagree.

• On Public Opinion & Perseverance:

  • "Public opinion cannot be won because it's jellyfish. It's jello on the wall... Everybody votes for you on Monday and they'll kill you on Tuesday. That's the way of the world. God's not like that. Follow Jesus and these things will be ours to both enjoy and to suffer. But the end is glorious."
    — Jack Hibbs, [03:10]

• On Courage and Integrity:

  • Christians are called to be courageous, informed, vigilant, winsome, and blameless, even in the face of slander or ostracization.
  • "If you hold your ground Christian, you're going to be hated."
    — Jack Hibbs, [02:45]

• On Obeying God vs. Man:

  • Citing Acts 5, Hibbs urges believers to obey God above human laws when those laws oppose God's Word.
  • "We must choose to obey God rather than man when man creates laws that are anti God."
    — Jack Hibbs, [04:00]

2. Biblical Case Study: Acts 5 & Cost of Obedience

[07:00-10:00]

• Apostles and Civil Disobedience:

  • The example of the apostles being imprisoned—yet rescued by the Lord and commanded to continue preaching (Acts 5).
  • Being accused of "filling the city" with Jesus’ doctrine is presented not as a problem, but as a commendable legacy for believers in any city.

• Quote:

  • "Wouldn't it be awesome if they said, look at you. You have filled the whole city with this doctrine. Oh, wow. May that be true of Anaheim and Irvine and Pasadena."
    — Jack Hibbs, [08:42]

• Persecution as Inevitable:

  • Suffering for doing what is right and remaining steadfast in preaching Jesus is not merely expected, but grounds for rejoicing.

3. The Unstoppable Nature of the Gospel

[10:00-12:00]

• Global Perspective:

  • Even where preaching Christ is illegal, the Church continues to grow because the Gospel cannot truly be outlawed.
  • "You can make laws against it, but no one's going to obey that… the church is growing [even in restrictive countries]."
    — Jack Hibbs, [10:33]

• Personal Anecdotes:

  • Hibbs shares encounters where believers greet each other with phrases like “Blessed be the name of the Lord” or “He’s risen” even in secular settings, illustrating Christian witness in daily life.

4. The Lordship of Christ and Divine Government

[12:00-16:00]

• Obedience from the Heart:

  • Christians should submit to God's lordship not merely to avoid punishment, but for “conscience's sake.”
  • "How do you have a clear conscience? Obey the Lord… Receive his divine government over your life. It's called him being Lord."
    — Jack Hibbs, [13:04]

• Debate on Jesus as Savior vs. Lord:

  • Hibbs briefly addresses the theological debate on whether it is possible to accept Jesus as Savior without accepting Him as Lord, concluding, “He is the Lord Jesus Christ.”

• Meaning of 'Lord' and Our Status as Servants:

  • The biblical term for 'servant' is actually 'slave'; Hibbs embraces this, noting, “God is our master and we are his slave… I love being his slave.”
    — Jack Hibbs, [14:25]

• Redemption of All Situations:

  • Regardless of culture, station, or even participation in unjust societies (e.g., slavery), being a Christian fundamentally changes every relationship and structure.

5. Practical Application: God’s Government in the Family

[16:00-18:00]

• Families as Training Grounds:

  • Parents model God’s government in how they raise and discipline their children.
  • "Your family is like a little town… God is teaching your children how to be citizens… through your leadership."
    — Jack Hibbs, [17:02]

• Anecdote:

  • Describes family discipline as a microcosm of civic order—complete with “arresting officer,” “court,” and “penalty”—insisting that this models God’s justice and mercy.

6. Rendering Honor, Even to Opponents

[18:00-20:00]

• Obedience in Taxation and Civic Duties:

  • Pay taxes, even when disliked or used for questionable policies. “You will not have to answer for what the authorities do with your tax money. They will.”

• On Honoring Authorities:

  • Christians should show honor to all in authority—even those “anti-Christian” officials—because it reflects Christ’s example and lordship.
  • "How should we treat them? With honor. With honor. Yes. It's hard. It's part of being a disciple. I honor them."
    — Jack Hibbs, [19:00]

• God’s Unchanging Commitment:

  • "You will never have to fear God changing his mind on saving you because he knew what he was doing before time ever began when he invited you to come into his kingdom."
    — Jack Hibbs, [19:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Public Opinion:
  "Public opinion cannot be won because it's jellyfish. It's jello on the wall... Everybody votes for you on Monday and they'll kill you on Tuesday. That's the way of the world. God's not like that."
  — Jack Hibbs, [03:10]

• On Persecution:
  "If you hold your ground Christian, you're going to be hated."
  — Jack Hibbs, [02:45]

• On the Unstoppable Gospel:
  "You can make laws against it, but no one's going to obey that… the church is growing [even in restrictive countries]."
  — Jack Hibbs, [10:33]

• On Lordship and Slavery Metaphor:
  "God is our master and we are his slave… I love being his slave."
  — Jack Hibbs, [14:25]

• On Family as Civic Model:
  "Your family is like a little town… God is teaching your children how to be citizens… through your leadership."
  — Jack Hibbs, [17:02]

• On Honoring Those in Authority:
  "How should we treat them? With honor. With honor. Yes. It's hard. It's part of being a disciple."
  — Jack Hibbs, [19:00]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:22] – The Christian’s role explained; eight qualities for public witness.
• [03:10] – On public opinion and perseverance.
• [04:00] – Standing for God’s truth over government opposition.
• [07:30] – Acts 5 and the church’s boldness in adversity.
• [10:00] – The gospel cannot be shut down, even under threat.
• [14:25] – Meaning of “Lord” and the biblical concept of slavery.
• [17:00] – How family reflects divine government.
• [19:00] – Rendering honor even to those opposed to Christian values.

Conclusion

Jack Hibbs challenges listeners to embrace the full, often counter-cultural role of a follower of Christ: courageous, wise, loving, and above all obedient to God, even in the face of opposition. Christians are to be model citizens, steadfast in faith, and honorable in their conduct—even toward those who reject their values. Through biblical exposition, personal anecdotes, and practical instruction, Hibbs calls the Church to bold, uncompromising discipleship rooted in the lordship of Jesus.

For outlines, devotionals, or to connect further, visit: jackhibbs.com/podcast