Week 3 Day 6 - Separation Church & State


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Day 6 Separation of Church and State (Mark 12:17)
17 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.

      This historic and major Baptist identification has lessened over the years, especially since the colonials days and British days when Baptists were persecuted by the state. In the increasing age of politics and polarization, this distinctive should be addressed in the role of membership.
      Although the concept of Separation of Church and State goes further back in history, the actual phrase came about when Thomas Jefferson wrote a group of Baptists in 1802. It is not in the United States Constitution, nor its amendments and is not found in the Declaration of Independence.
     Since this is not a course in civics or citizenship, let us see how this identification is to be applied through Scriptures. The Bible states clearly that the God is the one who puts our governing officials in power, sometimes even allowing evil governments to judge a wayward nation.
    Romans 13:1-6 gives a good summation that Christians are to abide by the laws of the land and Paul even calls rulers “God’s ministers”.
     Peter called for the church to follow the laws in 1 Peter 2:13-17. Paul commanded Timothy to teach pastors to pray for all in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Paul also called for the goal of our prayers for the government should be that we would be allowed to live “peaceful and godly lives”.
From Article XVII (Religious Liberty), the Baptist Faith and Message says:
“God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
 
    Church members have an obligation to be involved in the civil affairs of the state, being salt of the earth and bringing about good works in all things (See Matthew 5:13).
     The Apostle Paul used an appeal to Caesar to vindicate his case, so Christians should follow the laws, and use measures within the law to support our causes as well. Read the following and state how you feel this applies to us living as good citizens of the state as well as good Christians in the church:
10Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

    However, our ultimate governor, however, is the Lord Jesus Christ, and if the state or any authority directs the church to disobey the clear teachings of the Bible, we must obey God rather than man (Acts 4:19-20).

    Other verses we can look to for guidance on the relationship between religious and government rule can be found in Matthew 22:21; Acts 4:19-20; Philippians 3:20; James 4:12; 1 Peter 3:11-17; 4:12-19.


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