CHURCH AND STATE!

CHURCH AND STATE!

Rom 13:1

13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Acts 5:29

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

           Tomorrow America celebrates the 242^nd anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. Too many people have forgotten that the Clergy played an important part in the revolt from tyranny.

           The Black Robed Regiment was the name that the British placed on the courageous and patriotic American clergy during the Founding Era for, in fact, there is not a single right asserted in the Declaration of Independence which had not been discussed by the New England clergy before 1763. The Revolution started in the pulpits.

           Whenever the government feels threatened by the Church it revives the old and worn issue of “separation of church and state.” This issue is not and never was part of the Constitution of the United States nor is it outlined in any other document. It was mentioned in a letter from by Thomas Jefferson expressing an understanding of the intent and function of the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Since the First Amendment clearly places the restrictions solely on the state, some argue a more correct phrase would be the "separation of state FROM church". Either way, the "separation" phrase has since been repeatedly used by the Supreme Court of the United States in matters that all too often harm the churches.

           The tension between Romans 13 and Acts 5 above guides the response of the church to the mandates of government. In Romans it is explained that believers have a moral – even spiritual – obligation to position themselves under the authority of established government. Keep in mind that the Bible was not written for Americans only but also those in totalitarian lands. Yet, peace and order are entrusted to government.

           The disconnect comes when the government clearly decrees laws that are in disharmony with the teachings of Scripture. When government declares a thing to be right when it is clearly wrong, not only by doctrine but natural laws, we must, as Peter said, “obey God rather than men.” It is not our intention to be disobedient citizens but it is our duty to be obedient to God. It is government that makes us lawbreakers.

The Church, as a spiritual body, has nothing to do with the state. It continues its own course, neither intruding into the sphere of the state nor refusing to aid the state, but ever rejecting an alliance with the state. (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rom 12:18

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dear Lord, help us to be productive citizens in obedience to Romans 13 but help us to have the courage to join with Peter in Acts 5 whenever it becomes necessary to do so. AMEN