Wake up Sleeping Church

The Church and Religious Liberty

The church is a local, visible people who are baptized, born again believers in Jesus Christ. It is not something you attend, it is not a denomination, it is not a corporation, and it is not a building. A church is something that you are. The Head of the church is Jesus Christ, and not the government. You cannot serve two masters. The church does not belong to nor is it under the legal jurisdiction of the government. There are no American civil laws or Biblical laws that require a church to be registered and under the jurisdiction of the state. Secular law books and codes do not apply to the church. A true church is NOT recognized by the state. The church belongs to and is under the jurisdiction of Jesus Christ, who is the Creator and head of His church. The law book is the Holy Bible.

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” –Matthew 6:24

As long as the Lord’s church has existed, tyrannical governments have attempted to usurp authority over Christ’s church. There have been multitudes of martyrs who died because they said, “there is no king but King Jesus,” as they acknowledged that Jesus Christ is Lord and Head over His church and none other. They would not take a state license to preach, they would not register their church with the civil governments, and they would not allow the state to run their church.

Have we forgotten the blood of the martyrs? Early American colonists also experienced persecution when old world state churches were established here before the American Revolution. The early godly leaders of our country realized that the state needed to be separate from the church, therefore the Bill of Rights to the Constitution began with this Amendment:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise therof…”

America, between 1791 and 1933, experienced the most religious liberty is has in history. All churches were free from state regulation and people were generally able to worship freely. Since 1933, America decided to forget God and the First Amendment to the Constitution, which protects the people’s God given liberty to worship freely without state control. Since then, the American churches have experienced state regulation with the adoption of the Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. In 1962 the Supreme Court ruling of Engel v Vitale, prayer was taken out of the public schools; their reason they said was that the First Amendment Establishment clause was being violated. This was the prayer:

“Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.”

In reality, in no way does public prayer violate the First Amendment. Remember that this country, and its Constitution were founded on Christian principles. It is true that the state should not control the church. However, people often confuse the separation of church and state, with the separation of God and state. There can be no separation of God and state because God is head over the state. Yes, God Almighty, the same Almighty God who was addressed in the school prayer above, is Sovereign over all. He is over the individual, the family, the church, and the civil government. Therefore it is scripturally and historically consistent for people in public office, schools, and public to pray to God Almighty, in the name of Jesus Christ, just as it is for people to pray in the name of the same Jesus in their homes and churches.

So you say: “well how will our church be recognized? Don’t we have to submit to government? How do we pay our taxes?” The answers are simple. If your Head is Jesus Christ, then He recognizes you. Give to God what belongs to God. If your church’s head is the state and/or federal government, then give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. It all depends on who the head of your church is. A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt state established corporate church has the state as their head, so they must submit to their head in church affairs, just as any corporate entity of the state must do.

You might say: “well our pastor talks about how we should love one another, and how we should not steal or lie. How can this church be part of a corporation?” This is part of the deception. The pastors are preaching one thing and doing another. They don’t talk about that piece of paper hidden in the file cabinet. Ask the pastor and other church leaders if your gifts, contributions, or tithes are tax deductible. If the answer is yes, then you are part of a corporation, and are not part of a church.

You might say to yourself: “well, I give enough to the church, so it should be tax-deductible.” Of all the wicked things I ever heard: Someone gives a gift to God, and takes part of it back. Read in Acts 5:5 what happened to Ananias and Sapphira when they lied to the Holy Sprit and held back a portion of the gift they said they were giving. Also, the government should not have anything to do with your gift. It should be totally anonymous, only between you and God. Why should you expect any public recognition of the gift or tithe you give? Repent of your pride! I tell you what: if you plan to give a $100.00 tithe, expecting $30.00 back from the civil government as a tax deduction, why don’t you instead give a $70.00 tithe, and get your deduction back instantly!

I realize that I might be offending some people by saying these things. But American churches need to wake up from slumber. Our society depends on the condition of the churches. This country is under God’s judgment. We will continue to see growing tragedy in America until we pray, repent, and turn from our wicked ways. Only then will our land be healed.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14