- Before you begin your Bible study, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, be
sure you have named your sins privately to God the Father.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(Known, Unknown and Forgotten sins) (1Jn 1:9)
You will then be in fellowship with God, Filled with the Holy Spirit and ready
to learn Truth from the Word of God.
"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and Truth,"
(John 4:24)
The Christian’s Responsibility to Church and State
The issue before us has been a political “football” for centuries: is there a
conflict of responsibility between the Divine institution of nationalism and or;
the State and the Church?
Can a born-again Christian serve his country in the military, kill the enemy,
and at the same time Think with the Biblical Thoughts of God as a believer-
priest? The objective of this study is to demonstrate the compatibility
between the Word of Truth and our national heritage. Many great believers
have fought and died so that we might have the very freedom of speech
which makes this message possible. It is time that Christians learn the
Biblical Facts. Some of these questions are answered from the standpoint of:
(Matt 22:1-14)
At this time in which we live there are three types of kingdoms on the
earth today: Satan’s false Spiritual kingdom, (Acts 26:18) and natural earthly
kingdoms, (Rom 13:1) which we shall refer to as the State; and the Spiritual
Kingdom of God. “…The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who
gave a wedding feast for his son.” (Matt 22:2)
The “King” (God the Father) is the Author of the Divine plan for the human
race. The Divine plan centers in the Person of His Son through whom a
Spiritual Kingdom on earth would be formed. (John 18:36) The Father
planned Salvation so that all members of the human race could be saved.
(1Ti 2:4) Grace found a way!
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that [Salvation] not
of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one
may boast. (Eph 2:8-9)
All those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior make up the Spiritual
Kingdom. (Gal 3:26)
However, at this point in the history of Israel, the Lord Jesus Christ has
been rejected by the nation as a whole. Once the Gospel is rejected;
“religion” (Salvation by works) is substituted; (Gal 5:4) and it is religion which
constantly opposes and attacks Jesus Christ and His Word. (Rom 10:3)
One of these attacks occurs in this chapter, and forces the issue of the
relationship between Church and State.
The decline of a national kingdom
The Jews were about to fall apart as a nation because, as individuals,
they had REJECTED the person of Jesus Christ. (cf. Hos 4:1-6) Because the
Spiritual Kingdom within the National Kingdom was in such a minority, the
freedoms, the blessings, the powers and the joys that this nation had enjoyed
for centuries were about to be removed under the “Fifth Cycle of Discipline.”
(Lev 26:15-39)
The group of people called Israel today; DO NOT CONSTITUTE THE
JEWISH NATION as a Theocracy under God! Israel is dispersed and will
continue to be scattered throughout the earth UNTIL JESUS CHRIST
RETURNS. (Matt 24:31) Here is the Principle: if a national entity, which is a
Divine establishment; is to exist as God would have it exist, with perfect
liberty, there must be inside that national entity, a remnant of Spiritually
mature believers with the Kingdom living in the THEM; and through THEM;
(Luk 17:21) which has an influence, but WHICH IS IN NO WAY COMBINED
with that national entity!
The Word of God teaches that any ecclesiastical or religious organization
which seeks to be the State is false and degenerate. Don’t you, as a
believer, ever support ANY organization that seeks to be the State!
It is possible for a believer to be so ignorant Doctrinally that he cannot
orient himself politically! God help us when we become so naive politically
that we back such organizations as the UNITED NATIONS and the
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES. You see, that is exactly where
Jewish Spiritual degeneracy was in the days of Christ’s earthly ministry.
That is why the Jews are scattered all over the world today and why;
Israel does not exist as a Spiritual nation. (As a Theocracy under God) For
many centuries the Jews had marvelous freedoms, blessings and Divine
Thoughts which no other nation possessed. Yet they lost all of these things,
and thousands upon thousands of them went into eternity without Christ and
without hope because they were not straight on the very points that you and I
now have the privilege of studying! (Acts 4:12)
(Matt 22:15) introduces this subject: “Then the Pharisees went and
plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said.” The Pharisees
were the religious crowd. Religious people go to Hades; because Satan and
religion blind them to the Truth of God’s Word. (2Co 4:4)
For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their
own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. (Rom 10:3)
Religion is man seeking the approbation of God by his own works, in
contrast to God’s Reality, where the work has been done; and man has but
to receive it. Now these Pharisees wanted to rule the State; but this was
never God’s intention. Instead, God has ordained certain institutions in the
world for all members of the human race for their preservation and proper
function.
The Divine institutions (Neh 4:14)
There are both Divine and Christian institutions. A Christian institution is for
believers only; the Lord’s Table, learning the Word, Operation Z, prayer,
fellowship with God, Spiritual growth, Thinking Truth, the royal priesthood, the
ambassadorship, praise, thanksgiving and worship etc.; can only truly be
preformed in the Filling of God the Holy Spirit! (John 4:23-24) But a Divine
institution is for Christians and non-Christians alike; and is God’s plan to
create and preserve order in the human race. Now, what are the Divine
institutions?
(1) VOLITION / FREEWILL (Gen 1:26; Gen 2:16-17) this is a personal
Divine institution, which is the basis of all true freedom (Liberty) bestowed at
the time of man’s creation. (Freedom with no authority is anarchy; and
authority with no freedom is slavery; God’s plan is freewill submitted to His
Authority; (The Word) this is liberty!)
Every member of the human race has the right to make decisions within
the bounds of the Law. There are many national entities today that DENY the
existence of the Divine Institution of Volition; in fact, all Communist nations
come under this category. Communism, Muhammadanism, Fascism and
every “ism” in power; is religion and or Satan ruling the State! All Tyrannies
deny the basic Divine Institution of Volition and therefore restricts human
freedom.
(2) MARRIAGE (Gen 2:21-24) This was instituted by God for both
believers and unbelievers, and is the beginning of organization and stability in
the human race. (Satan uses Gay marriage, sensuality, polygamy, and
fornacation to attack it!)
(3) FAMILY (Num 2:34) This logically follows the second Divine institution,
and is the basis for orderly society and protection of the human race. As the
parents rule the children, children learn respect for authority; rights of others
and freedom with responsibility. (Gay adoption, broken homes and no
discipline)
(4) NATIONALISM (Deut 32:8) National entities have been ordained by
God to keep the world from chaos and to prevent Satan from completely
taking over the world. Nationalism — protecting freedom, guarantees bona
fide evangelism. Internationalism enables Satan to have greater control;
(Isa 14:12-14) God divided the people into nations to keep them from being
destroyed. Internationalism becomes the breeding place and distribution
center for concentrated satanic thinking, (Astrology, fortunetellers, tarot
cards, the New Age Movement, séances, sorcery etc.) and rejection of God
and His Word! God’s indictment against internationalism at the Tower of
Babel scattered the human race and gave the people different languages in
order to prevent the evils of “one-worldism.” (Gen 11:1-9) God Himself put
peoples within boundaries so that they would seek the Lord! (Acts 17:26-28)
The Bible defines nationalism in three categories: geographical, racial and
linguistic. It provides common Law and culture, and is the basis of protection
externally, (From the sin natures of other countries; tyranny) through the
military, and internally, (From the sin natures inside a country; crime) through
Law enforcement and capital punishment. The State cannot fulfill its function
in keeping Law and order among a large number of families of the same
nationality without capital punishment; this started in,
(Gen 9:6; thru Exo 21:12; Num 35:16-18; Matt 22:6-7; and still continues
today. (Rom 13:4)
Our departure from capital punishment is another great danger to this
country. Capital punishment is the basic Concept in Law enforcement. Crime
increases in proportion to the decline of Truth in the souls of believers.
The coalition of religious and political parties
Now we are ready for the strange alliance of two antithetical groups, the
Pharisees and the Herodians.
Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in
what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians,
saying, Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in
Truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. (Matt 22:15-16)
This is the oddest group of bedfellows you would ever encounter. To the
Pharisees, true religion was a strict observance of the ceremonial Law, and
they controlled the religious life of the Jews through legalism.
On the other hand, the Herodians were a political party of Jews organized
and perpetuated to support the dynasty of Herod. They wanted Herod to take
the throne of Palestine and to throw out the Romans. The Pharisees wanted
neither Herod nor the Romans — they wanted to rule the State. Now, when
you find the religious crowd combining with this particular political group,
there has to be some dire emergency! And that great emergency is JESUS
CHRIST!
Since His rejection, the Lord Jesus is now proclaiming not a kingdom on
earth but a Spiritual Kingdom composed of all believers. (As a Theocracy
under God; inside each believer. (1Co 6:19-20)
Thus Jesus Christ and Truth has become an enemy to both parties.
Since the Pharisees were chiefly a religious party and the Herodians a
political one, we have in this unholy alliance; the union of Church and State!
God, in His Word, has separated the two to protect the world from religion as
a source of conquest and enslavement. But whenever the Principle is
violated, there is aggression, torture, abuse, enslavement and violence in the
name of religion. When Church and State unite, the Person and work of the
Lord Jesus Christ is attacked. Hence, the union of Church and State in this
Age is always, without exception, satanic, anti-Christian and anti-Christ!
The attempt to discredit Christ
Having agreed upon their common purpose, the Pharisees and Herodians
formed a strategy to trap the Lord Jesus. The Pharisees sent out their
Theological students (Disciples) along with the Herodians to locate some
weakness by which to discredit the Lord.
Since the union of Church and State is a satanic strategy to discredit
Jesus Christ; “We know that You are truthful.”
The Herodians know that He has the true claim to the throne of Israel
because He is David’s greater Son. The Pharisees know that He is the true
Messiah, even though they will not accept Him as such; but because of His
claims, they are in danger of losing out in ruling the State. Their plan is to
attempt to trap Him with a question. The question they are about to propound
was contrived to get Jesus to make a strong and clear statement in
opposition to the Roman Empire, thus opening the way for the Empire to
execute Him as a revolutionist and an enemy of the State.
The crowd moved in, and this is exactly what they want. They want
witnesses; because they are going to ask Jesus Christ a question which they
hope will discredit Him. So, the speaker asks:
Tell us then, what do You think? Is it Lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar,
or not? (Matt 22:17)
The question is loaded! If He gives a simple “yes,” He is denying His
claims of Messiahship. If He gives a simple “no,” He is saying, in effect, “l do
not accept the State as a Divine institution.”
I’m glad that the Herodians combined with the Pharisees to ask this
question, because out of it comes a clear Principle for the believer in Jesus
Christ, as far as relationship with a nation is concerned: “Is it Lawful to pay
taxes to Caesar or not?” Now, notice first of all in: (Matt 22:18)
But Jesus perceived their malice, (PONERIA; Satan’s thinking) and said,
Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?
Remember, Jesus is ETERNAL GOD He is OMNISCIENT! He knows their
thoughts. And so His first answer is, “Why ARE YOU TESTING ME, you
hypocrites?”
Actually, their question is a good one; but the motive behind it is not to
seek knowledge, but to deceive and trap our Lord. So Jesus rebukes them
for their duplicity and makes it clear that He understands their motive, but will
give an honest answer to the question.
Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax. And they brought Him a denarius.
And He said to them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? (Matt 22:19-20)
“They say unto him, Caesar’s.” You can almost hear them gloating, for
they feel as though the trap is now closing.
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, Then render to
Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.
(Matt 22:21)
The procedure for the three kingdoms; Satan’s kingdom; we need to stay
out of it, (John 15:19; John 17:14; John 18:36; (1Jn 2:15-16; Jas 4:4) by
staying in fellowship, (1Jn 1:9) with God and Thinking with His Thoughts;
(1Co 2:16) and not thinking with Satan’s! (Mark 8:33)
Here is the procedure for you as a believer in Jesus Christ, as a citizen of
His Spiritual Kingdom, and at the same time a citizen of the United States of
America: (Or any other earthly kingdom) “Render to Caesar the things that
are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
The Earthly Kingdom Jesus recognized the existence of Divine Institution
Number Four — the national entity — NOT an international entity! He also
recognized the existence of a Spiritual Kingdom on earth at the present time,
made up of believers in Him. And though these two Kingdoms coexist, they
are NEVER TO BE COMBINED!
The Spiritual Kingdom. THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO MAN’S
PROBLEMS IS PERSONAL FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST! THE ANSWER
BEGINS WITH BEING BORN AGAIN! (John 3:3)
Man looks to his own systems to solve his problems such as poverty, war
and environment; when after Salvation; we should stay in fellowship, learn
Truth, grow; and reach Spiritual maturity! (1Co 14:20) And constantly turn our
problems — PERSONAL AND NATIONAL — over to the Lord!
(Matt 6:31-34) This is God’s plan for the human race. You can alleviate
poverty, but not abolish it, (Matt 26:11; Mark 14:7) only Christ can do that;
and will when He returns to earth. War cannot be completely abolished,
(Matt 24:6) because of the old sin nature resident in every person.
(Rom 7:17-18) Only Christ can abolish war, and will when He returns.
(Isa 2:2-5) WE cannot afford to leave Jesus Christ out of our PERSONAL
and or NATIONAL LIFE. To leave Him out of our Consideration or our life is
finally to destroy ourselves and our country! (Prov 8:36)
The existence of the Spiritual Kingdom — the Kingdom which is made up
of all believers; and powered by those who are growing to Spiritual maturity;
and is the only thing in these United States which is keeping and guaranteeing
for us any freedom at all! (Eze 14:14) We live in the most wonderful country
in the world, even under present conditions, because of the Bible; THE
WORD OF GOD, which absolutely declares Volition as the first Divine
institution, and makes it possible for you and for me to have some measure
of freedom today.
The believer’s responsibility within the national entity
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s!” This means that you
have responsibility to your national entity. A believer in Jesus Christ has
DOUBLE RESPONSIBILITY! It is the believer’s responsibility to witness for
Christ; to show individuals within the national entity that the solution to ALL
their problems; is personal faith in Jesus Christ and growth to Spiritual
maturity! The second responsibility of the believer-priest is that he MUST, in
time of war or in time of emergency, fulfill his obligation in military service.
There is no such thing, Biblically, as a “conscientious objector.”
Authority in the national entity: (Rom 13:1-7)
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there
is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by
God. (Rom 13:1)
Every person, believer and unbeliever, is Commanded to be subject to or
obedient to the authority of the national entity. “There is no authority except
from God: those which exist are established by God.” declares that the
national entity is a Divine institution.
Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God;
and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
(Rom 13:2)
God is not the author of confusion. (1Co 14:33) There must be order in
the human race; if it is to survive. Obviously, the structure of a tyranny like:
Russia, China, etc.; does not comply with the Divine institutions!
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you
want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise
from the same (Rom 13:3)
“Rulers” refer to authority under nationalism, or the government which
administers justice. Paul is not approving Nero, but the PRINCIPLE of
authority in government.
“Good behavior” of, (Rom 13:3) describes the existence of a common
Law which parallels Truth in the Word of God. “The evil” is crime, which is the
violation of such common Law. The believer in the national entity has
responsibility to obey the Laws of the land that are compatible with and
parallel to the Word of God. This does not include international organizations
that are anti-Biblical! It does include participation in civic affairs, (Voting, jury
duty, etc.) as well as participation in the defense of our country.
If you are a Christian and are called into military service, serve as unto the
Lord; if called upon to kill, BE THE BEST “KILLER” IN YOUR OUTFIT! If
called to jury duty, be the most conscientious juror. You have a responsibility
to the State, and the best citizens within the State ought to be those who are
born again, those of the Spiritual Kingdom.
for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be
afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God,
an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. (Rom 13:4)
Capital punishment is the greatest restrainer of crime. “The sword” refers
to capital punishment. Decapitation was a means of capital punishment in the
Roman Empire. Under Divine Institution # 4, the authorities of the State are
“ministers of God” to execute a criminal when warranted.
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, [Obey the rules] not only
because of wrath, but also for conscience sake. (Rom 13:5)
The unbeliever is restrained from evil by fear of punishment; but the
believer should be restrained “for conscience sake.” (1Ti 1:5-6) When a
believer’s conscience is Truth-fed, he has the correct norm and Standard of
Thinking; by which to make Decisions compatible with the Word of God!
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God,
devoting themselves to this very thing. (Rom 13:6)
Because of the Biblical Principle of subjection to the authority of
government; under Divine Institution # 4, believers have the responsibility to
pay their taxes. There is a bona fide basis for taxation under nationalism.
Abuse by unfair taxes does not negate the Principle. Leaders of government
(God’s ministers) must be paid by a taxation system, even as priests and
Levites were maintained by the Jewish system of tithes.
Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom
custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Rom 13:7)
The illustration of taxation is used to establish the Principle of Christian
responsibility to one’s nation. (Military service, voting, jury duty, civil service,
etc.) “Fear to whom fear” — reference to respect for Law and Law-
enforcement agencies; “Honor to whom honor” — denotes respect for
government authority. (Civil and military)
When fulfilling this obligation under the Principle “render unto Caesar” a
believer ought to be the best!
Believers have a tremendous responsibility under God to witness, to pray,
to study, to learn, to absorb Truth, techniques and Promises of the Word; to
fulfill the Command to build the “edification structure” of the soul and then live
by GOD’S REALITY! (Eph 4:12-15) Truth builds up, (Edifies) by producing
grace-orientation, mastery of the details of life, a relaxed mental attitude,
(Minus mental attitude sins) capacity to love God as well as people, and inner
happiness. YOU CANNOT FULFILL THE FIRST PHRASE (“Render unto
Caesar”) WITHOUT THE LAST! (“And unto God”)
Conclusion
What was the reaction of the Herodians to the Truth Jesus stated in one
brilliant sentence? SPEECHLESS! (Matt 22:22) The political approach was
refuted; but it resulted in some significant points of Truth: (1) The clear
distinction between Church and State; (2) Emphasis on Christian
responsibility to State; (3) Existence of two Realities — STATE and
CHURCH; When the State doesn’t follow the Biblical Concepts of nationalism,
the believer must declare his allegiance to God! (Acts 4:19-20; Acts 5:29) He
therefore makes the Salvation issue clear and helps the State define and
maintain its freedoms. (4) Christian responsibility to God as well as to the
State defined. (5) The Church should support good government, but never
become that government.
In declaring His answer, Jesus did not condone all of the PRACTICES of
the Roman Empire, but rather the PRINCIPLE of the Empire, which was
Divine institution # 4. Remember that true evangelism can only be pursued
where Law, order and freedom exist.
The personal solution
Behind these Principles is the personal solution which cannot be ignored,
and which MUST NOT be ignored! THE ONLY HOPE of any person within
any national entity; are found in the words of Paul uttered to a man in a
hopeless situation:
“BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND YOU WILL BE SAVED...”
— (Acts 16:31)
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