Urgent matters of Church and State

Hey Dave and church,

Today's episode of Crosswind has been posted:
http://sonrise.tv/?p=324

Towards the end I'm discussing the importance of keeping Church and State separate.

Since this is so important I thought I would share a few points that I didn't get to share in the video.

There are two fundamental truths you need to know:

1. Authority comes in three areas: Secular, Religious, and Spiritual; and

2. Whenever Secular and Religious Authority come together, they always persecute Spiritual Authority.

So when "we pray for Kings" we are NOT praying for Church and State to become one; we are praying for God's Kingdom and Will in the nations, and the submission of Secular and Religious Authority to Spiritual Authority - so we can live "a quiet and peaceable life."

Does that make sense?

I don't mind being excommunicated for my beliefs, or called a heretic for what I teach.

But I don't want to live in a country where religious folks can arrest me, put me in prison, order me to pay a fine, or burn me at the stake for what I believe or teach.

And that's exactly what happens when Church and State (religious and secular authority) come together.

EXAMPLES FROM HISTORY:

1. Nebuchadnezzar (secular authority) tried to force people to worship an idol (religious authority); the three Hebrews disobeyed (spiritual authority) and were cast into the furnace.

2. Darius (secular authority) passed a law forbidding prayer (religious authority); Daniel disobeyed (spiritual authority) and was thrown into the lion's den.

3. The Sanhedrin (religious authority) convinced Pilate (secular authority) that Jesus (spiritual authority) was a threat to Rome and had Him crucified.

4. Emperor Constantine (secular authority) made Christianity the state religion of the Roman empire (religious authority) and introduced pagan practices into the Church, marginalizing genuine elders (spiritual authority) in favor of political favorites.

5. The Roman Catholic Church (religious authority) conducted several inquisitions to secure their political power (secular authority), resulting in the torture and death of thousands of believers (spiritual authority) who considered the Scriptures more authoritative than Church teachings.

6. The Puritans established the Massachusetts Bay Colony (secular authority) as a community based on strict religious beliefs (religious authority). This perfect union of Church and State expelled anyone they viewed as "unsubmitted" or "rebellious" (spiritual authority) and eventually sentenced innocent people to death on trumped-up charges of "witchcraft."

7. During the Cultural Revolution in China, the Communist government (secular authority) created a state-sponsored church (religious authority), imprisoned Christian leaders like Watchman Nee, and outlawed all other religious activities (spiritual authority).

8. Currently, Islamic terrorists are striving to create their own political state (secular authority) so they can enforce Sharia Law (religious authority) at the point of a sword and eliminate the "people of the Cross" (spiritual authority) and anyone else who gets in their way.

9. In the Book of Revelation, the one-world government of the Beast (secular authority) merges with the false prophet (religious authority) to persecute and wage war against those "who have the Testimony of Jesus" (spiritual authority).

I could go on and on...

Te wise will understand these things and will conduct themselves wisely; the foolish will ignore these things to their own detriment.

To learn more, and access all the messages in this series, go here:
http://sonrise.tv/?p=324

In the video you'll learn the 4 Biblical Responsibilities of Secular Government - so you will know how to "pray for Kings" and hold them accountable before God for their actions.

It's time to stand in the gap!


I am your brother,

Chip Brogden


The School of Christ
http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org


Sonrise Television
http://Sonrise.TV