Church and State.

The passage always to keep in mind is Romans 13 vs 1-7.

• 7 Important Principles.
  • there is no absolute power in the universe, except God. (1).
  • the governing authorities which exist are established by God - their authority is thus real, but it is not absolute, for it is delegated. (1).
  • being a divine ordinance, government is to be obeyed in all ordinary circumstances. To resist it is to resist the ordinance of God. (2,5)
  • government exists, not for its own benefit, but for the benefit of those who are governed. (l-4).
  • its God-given task is to promote justice - to restrain evil by punishing evil-doers, and to encourage righteousness by rewarding those who do good. (3-5).
  • it can, then, only concern itself with people's actions and deeds - nothing more. (3).
  • our attitude to government is to be one of co-operation - we are to give to it all that it has a right to demand. (6-7). (Mark 12 vs 17).
• Which help us to answer 12 Important Questions.
  • should I, as a Christian, vote ?
  • who should I vote for ?
  • must I obey a government whose policies I don't agree with ?
  • is it ever right to disobey a government ? (Mk 12 vs 17, Acts 5 vs 29, Dan ch 3 & 6).
  • may the government have any say in the affairs of the churches ?
  • may the churches have any say in the affairs of the government ?
  • how should I behave towards unconverted people in authority ?
  • how serious are 'minor offences' ?
  • can revolution ever be right ?
  • does the state have power to inflict capital punishment ? (Gen 9 vs 6)
  • may the state wage war ?
  • must I pay my tax ?
• And also help us to avoid 2 Widespread errors
  • Popery  The Roman Pontiff claims that he exercises the swords of power and authority in both the spiritual and the temporal realms. He claims civil authority. He teaches that the civil power is answerable to him for the way in which it wields its authority. This is why (when it has been in a position to do so) in history the Roman Catholic Church has insisted on a privileged position for its clergy in civil matters; has released subjects from their vows of allegiance; and has deposed sovereigns because of the supposed heresy or rebellious attitudes of their lands. This explains why the Queen must wear black to visit the pope.
  • Erastianism  This regards the State as a divine institution, whose purpose is to provide for all the needs of men and women, spiritual. as well as temporal. It believes that it is the State's job to support the Church, appoint its officers, define its laws, and superintend its administration. Erastianism has plagued our land for 400 years, and is just as evil as Popery - the Church of England is 'established', and the ungodly idea of a 'Protestant nation' still prevails.

Both errors lead to the civil persecution of all who do not conform. We must strenuously resist both errors