Why were people hesitant to give much power to state governments

saint genesius of rome was an actor, a comedian. according to the legend, he decided to fake his baptism, as in a play, before emperor diocletian. it is said that in the middle of his "baptism" -by a fake priest-, a miracle occurred when water came in contact with him, he really turned into a christian, a real one, and because of this he was tortured and executed. his own relics are allegedly held in the church of several churches in rome, namely: san giovanni della pigna, santa susanna di termini, and st. lawrence.