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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).
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