The Separation of

Church

and State
 READ
John 4:1-29
SOME BASIC DEFINITIONS
Country:
"Country" is a colloquial term often used interchangeably
with "nation" or "state," referring to a specific
geographical area with its own political and social
organization.

Nation:
A nation represents a group of people who share common
cultural, linguistic, or historical ties, often transcending
political borders and sometimes encompassing multiple
states.
SOME BASIC DEFINITIONS
State:
The state refers to a political entity that holds
sovereignty over a defined territory and its population.
It has the authority to make and enforce laws, maintain
order, and engage in international relations.

Government:
The government is the administrative body within a
state responsible for implementing laws, policies, and
decisions. It consists of elected or appointed officials
who manage public affairs and govern the country.
Baptists believe that any devotion to
God must come from the heart to be
acceptable. Merely formal religious
exercises are an offense to God and
merit only judgment for those who
practice them.
-Kevin Bauder, Baptist Distinctives and
New Testament Church Order 2012
2 BASIC BAPTIST CONCEPTS
1. The coercive power of the state must not be used
to enforce matters that should be a matter of
conscience. (John 4: 24)
2. The Church should not appeal to the state for
support or advantage.
2 BASIC BAPTIST CONCEPTS
The coercive power of the state must not be used to
enforce matters that should be a matter of conscience.
Worship is a deeply personal matter. (John 4: 24)
People can be deeply religious but not necessarily
worshiping (Matt 6:1-18, 15:1-9
Worship that is forced is no worship at all.
2 BASIC BAPTIST CONCEPTS
The Church should not appeal to the state for support
or advantage.
The Kingdom of God is not of this world John 18:36
We must be subject to government institutions, we
should not be using these institutions for what we
deem is the work of God. 1 Peter 2:13-17
 Questions:
Should Christians participate in
activities of the state at all?

Can believers be agents of the State?

 Answers:
Yes Oh Yes!Luke 3:12-14
John the Baptist did not tell the tax collectors to
stop being tax collectors but to collect taxes
properly.
John did not tell the soldiers to resign, but to not
participate in intimidation through fear and false
accusation, and to be content with their wages.
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
When do we not obey the State and its
agents?
Civil Disobedience
Civil disobedience, from a biblical perspective,
refers to the act of deliberately disobeying or
resisting certain laws or commands of human
authorities when they conflict with one's moral or
religious convictions rooted in a higher authority,
namely God's principles.
Civil Disobedience
This concept is seen in instances where individuals
or communities choose to peacefully protest or
refuse to comply with certain laws or regulations
that they believe go against God's moral standards.
It is often undertaken as a means of bearing witness
to truth and justice in a society, even at the risk of
facing legal consequences.
Civil Disobedience, examples in the Bible
Daniel 3:16-18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that
we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image
which thou hast set up.
Acts 4:18-19...But Peter and John answered and said unto
them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken
unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Acts 5:29 ...We ought to obey God rather than men.
Civil Disobedience, examples in the Bible
Mark 3:1-6... Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil?
to save life, or to kill?
Joshua 2:1-7... And the woman took the two men, and hid them,
and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence
they were.
Acts: 16.: 37 Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly
uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now
do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come
themselves and fetch us out.
 SUMMARY

There are two instances when civil disobedience is

allowed and necessary. It is when the orders of the
state or its agents are:
a) Contrary with clear principles in the bible, and/or
b) The orders are not according to the law of the
land.
THE CHURCH
and Politics
 QUESTION
Does the church have any political mandate?

QUESTION
No. The mandate of the church is evangelical, not
political. Matt. 28:19-20; Eph 4:13