The Baptist Distinctives, the reason we are Baptists.
Separation of Church and State.
(Mat 22:17-22) "Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? {18} But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? {19} Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. {20} And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? {21} They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. {22} When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way."
The United States of America has been the greatest demonstration of the practical workability of this principle in the world.
The history of Europe has served to emphasize the distinctive and the absolute separation of church and state. "Did you know that George Washington's inaugural speech lasted all of one and a half minutes? I guess there's just not much to say if you're a politician who can't tell a lie."
There is not a shortcut to understanding this truth. There are three ecclesiastical views of the relationship of the church and state, which have been developed and used in our civilization:
| The State is subservient to the Church. This was what Rome theology was when applied in medieval Europe. |
| The State and Church as God’s servants to society are on an approximately equal footing but with some strong ties mutually dependent. This came out of the reformation and led to the State Churches. |
| The Church is an independent unit within society, subservient only to the Lord. The Church is not to interfere with the State, nor is the State to officially influence the Church. |
We are Baptist because we believe in the total separation of the Church of Jesus Christ and the Government.
Baptist believe that the state has a function peticular to Government. To keep law and order, and prevent anarchy.
God instituted human Government in Gen 8:20-9:19
After the flood, God gave Noah the new order of things for man. This order was to prevail wherever Noah’s family repopulated the earth Gen 9:5-9.
The principle truth here is the authority granted to the state over human life in Gen 9:6.
God authorized capital punishment for the nations of the world. All governmental powers are implied in this fundamental judicial responsibility.
The responsibility of the State.
There are several responsibilities of the Government;
1. The Maintenance of order. (Rom 13:1-7) "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. {2} Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. {3} For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: {4} For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. {5} Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. {6} For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. {7} Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."
This takes for an assumption that there is a standard of right and wrong which the whole legal structure rests upon.
The preservation of order in society is a basic function of Government. This order is founded on principles of right and wrong. They are derived from God and founded in his own Character.
The sword is the symbol of the power to kill. This is why police officers have Biblical authority to carry guns that kill.
2. The punishment of offenders. Rom 13:2 To restrain and punish evil.
In 1988, we saw one of the greatest failures of our Society as the states neglected this duty.
We have seen a
3. The general welfare of Society.
Romans 13 teaches that government has positive benefits in a well-ordered nation. In order to carry out those mandates the government has to collect income, or taxes.
It is impossible for the Government to exist without income; there are 4 Bible examples of taxation.
1. In Rom 13:6-7 Jesus teaches that tribute, or taxes pay for order that God has ordained. It goes on to say that taxes, and custom, (import tax), fear, and honour to those that bring God-ordained order and justice.
2. Our Lord was born at the time his earthly family went up to pay taxes. Those whom God chose to entrust with Jesus paid taxes.
(Luke 2:1-3) "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. {2} (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) {3} And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city."
3. Our Lord preformed a miracle so that taxes could be paid.
(Mat 17:24-27) "And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? {25} He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? {26} Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. {27} Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee."
4. Jesus taught that taxes should be paid.
(Mark 12:13-17) "And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. {14} And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? {15} Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. {16} And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. {17} And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him."
We have to stay clear of the movements that say it is wrong to pay taxes. Jesus did not agree with every thing that Caesar’s government was doing, but Christ did teach his disciples that they should pay taxes.
An explorer to an African village which practices cannibalism saw the following sign in a grocery store window:
SALE : Brains
Farmers. . . . . $1/lb
Hunters . . . . . . 2/lb
Teachers. . . . . 3/lb
Doctors. . .. . . . 4/lb
Fisherman.. . . . 5/lb
Bureaucrats. . 100/LB
"Why so much for bureaucrats' brains?" the explorer asked the storekeeper.
"Oh sir," came the answer, "if you knew how many bureaucrats we had to catch to get a pound of brains, you wouldn't ask that question. "
We follow Christ’s teaching although we do not agree with everything our government does.
WE ARE BAPTISTS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE
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This page was updated on 03/23/00