Romans 13 is all about submission to authorities. We Christians do this because it is God's design for us. Submission to any form of human authority is done first as an act of obedience to Christ. This means that there is a limitation. We are never to give absolute, unconditional allegiance to any authority under God. Today, the Church's fidelity to Christ is increasingly under attack. Christians everywhere will at different times, and places, and to various degrees have their ultimate allegiance tested. For many that day has already arrived, and for others the day is drawing nearer where we will have to stand with the apostles and declare, "We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29). The apostle Peter was crucified upside down because he said that he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord. A crown representing that there is no authority except that which comes from God.