The Separation of Church and State

The Servant of God

"The Separation of Church and State"

Ma. 12:13-17

The Controversy (vv.13-14)

The Comeback (vv.15-16)

Image of denarius coin (see attached)

The Clarification (v.17)

13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,[b] whether it be to the emperor[c] as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. (1 Pet. 2:13-14).

3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer…… 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. (Ro.13:3-4, 6-7).

What 5 Things Christians Owe the Government:

Taxes (Ro. 13:6-7)

Obedience to the law (Ti.3:1; 1 Pet. 2:15-16)

Honor and Respect (Ti. 3:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:17)

Godly Citizenship (Jer. 29:5-7).

Prayer (1 Tim. 2:1-4)

For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. (Psa. 22:28)

What We Do Not Owe the Government:

Preaching (Acts 4, 5:29)
Prayer (Dan. 6:4-5, 10, 19-22)
Idolatry (Dan. 1:3-19, 3:16-18)
Life (Est. 3; Exo. 1:15-20)