GOVERNMENT OF GOD

1. Is it in the Bible?

No.

However, the word "government" is found in scripture...

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isa 22:21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.

2. What do we believe it means?

This phrase is used to describe the format of church and the rule of church leadership.

3. What does it really mean?

This phrase is not at all in the Bible. The closest we might infer, is in the old testament government of Israel. Israel, in it's covenant, was an earthly nation and God gave Israel an earthly human government because of it's disobedience. this phrase exposes the old covenant government that the Christian church has operated by for centuries.

The Biblical basis for pastoral authority and function comes from the typology of the Levitical priesthood.

Phrases such as "government of God" are created to enforce the existing structure of the church, but are veiled enough as to not reveal the fact they come from the old covenant, and refer to a priesthood which is clearly and specifically done away with in the new covenant

Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.