SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

‘Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do that which is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give there full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Romans 13:1-7 (NIV)

‘Then Jesus said to them, “Give To Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”’ Mark 12:17 (NIV)

‘Politics and Morality are inseparable…. We poison our society when we remove it’s theological underpinnings…’ - Ronald Reagan

‘Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.’ - 1st Amendment To The U.S. Constitution

I. SEPARATION…. WAS NEVER THE INTENT….

Three Motives For The 1st Ammendment:
Past Religious Persecution
Past ‘State’ Religion
States Rights

Notice The Wording…
‘Congress’ – ‘Federal Government’
‘Respecting’ – ‘Having anything to do with’
‘Establishment’ – ‘The act of establishment’
*NOTE: Historically, this meant government support of a
Single church or government preference of one creed
or denomination over another.
‘Religion’ – ‘Worship of God’

*The Intent: To Prevent The National Government from Meddling With Religion, Supporting One Religion Above Another or Subverting One Or Any Religion.

II. SEPARATION OF CHURCH/GOD AND STATE IS INCONSISTENT

A. With History
1. Our Forefathers Were Deeply Religious Men…

Jamestown Charter
Pilgrims – Mayflower Compact
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Articles Of New England Confederation
Pennsylvania Charter of Privledges

2. The Architects of the Constitution and Bill of Rights were Deeply
Religious Men….

Jefferson…. ‘God who gave us life, gave us liberty…’
Franklin…. ‘I have lived, Sirs a long time, and the longer I
live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that
God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, that “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.’
Washington…. ‘I am the resurrection and the life, he that
Believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.’
John 11:25-26

3. Their Religious Convictions Followed Over Into Their Political Life

George Washington…. Listened to the Virginia Clergy…1st Ammendment
Declaration of Independence… ‘We hold these truths to be self evident… that all men are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights…’
Constitution… Hamilton: ‘I sincerely esteem it a system which without the finger of God never could have been suggested or agreed upon by such a diversity…’
John Q. Adams… ‘From the first day of the Declaration they were bound by the laws of God, which they all, and by the laws of the Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledged as the rules of their conduct…’

*Clearly, The Intent Was To Restrict Government… NOT Church or
Religion…
B. Inconsistent With The Conduct Of Others…

C. Inconsistent With Scriptures….

The Constitution = A Delegated Powers Document

Congress = Derives Her Power From The ‘Consent of The Governed’

We/You and I Are the “Governed”…. “Salt of the Earth”
*’Salt’ – Preserves… Protects… Promotes Healing… Makes
Palatable..

III. SEPARATION IS IMPOSSIBLE…

‘Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.’ Romans 13:1 (NIV)

A. The Power Comes From God…

‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth..’ Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

‘The earth is the Lords, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it..’
Psalm 24:1 (NIV)

‘By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.’ Proverbs 8:15-16 (NIV)

‘There is no power but of God.. .. the powers that be are ordained of God..’
Romans 13:1
*‘Power’ – Delegated influence or authority..’
* ‘Ordained’ – arranged, assigned, determined..’

B. That’s What Our Forefathers Believed…

1. The Pilgrims….
Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and advancement of
the Christian faith… we do solemnly and mutually in the
presence of God and one another covenant and combine
ourselves together…’ - Mayflower Compact…

2. Declaration of Independence…

3. William Penn… ‘If men are not governed by God, they will be ruled
by tyrants..’

C. Where The Bible Stands..…

‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord..’ Psalm 33:12 (KJV)

‘Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgraced to any people.’
Proverbs 14:34 (NIV)

‘When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the
Wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.’ Proverbs 29:2 (KJV)

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