Though the state appears to be headed toward total control, presently, its requirements do not seem to involve submitting every "religious action" to it for approval. It "simply" demands recognition as the authority over authorities, the chief god among the gods while not strictly prohibit other gods. History indicates that as long as the state is recognized as the god of gods who grants permission to worship other gods, it is satisfied to allow the worship of other gods, including the Lord God.
Both Institutional (Church) and Personal Religion
Clearly, today's civil magistrates see nothing wrong with demanding that everyone submit (bow) to their authority and fill out the forms. The forms do not prohibit the "free exercise" of the individuals' or groups' religion. Furthermore, most of those upon whom the demand is placed see nothing wrong with the demand because it does not carry with it a prohibition against the worship of or service to God as each person sees fit. All each person must do is recognize the state's authority and each will not only have freedom to exercise his/her religious beliefs, but be encouraged in it, e.g. "tax-exempt."
Barnes points out that the basic problem with Rome's civil authority was its claim of authority to authorize the people to worship as they pleased. But the early Christians refused to recognize Rome's claim; hence, the conflict between Rome and Christianity.
The conflict between Christianity and Rome was exemplified by Polycarp around A.D. 155:
Now, as soon as he had ceased praying, having made mention of all that had at any time come in contact with him, both small and great, illustrious and obscure, as well as the whole Catholic Church throughout the world, the time of his departure having arrived, they set him upon an ass, and conducted him into the city, the day being that of the great Sabbath. And the Irenarch Herod, accompanied by his father Nicetes (both riding in a chariot), met him, and taking him up into the chariot, they seated themselves beside him, and endeavoured to persuade him, saying, "What harm is there in saying, Lord Caesar, and in sacrificing, with the other ceremonies observed on such occasions, and so make sure of safety?" But he at first gave them no answer; and when they continued to urge him, he said, "I shall not do as you advise me" (The Martyrdom of Polycarp, The Anti-Nicene Fathers, p 40. WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. See also The Martyrdom of the Holy Martyrs, p 306. The Martyrs did not have to forsake the worship of Jesus; all they had to do was "offer the sacrifice with one accord to the gods").
At the demand to "recognize civil authority or else", many church leaders say, "I don't see any problem as long as I'm permitted to carry on my religious beliefs." Polycarp would have been able to continue his "worship" of the Lord by simply saying "Lord Caesar" and burning a little incense. His actions would have been unnoticed because everyone was doing it. His refusal and subsequent death for his refusal causes him to be exalted by many who today say, "As long as they don't interfere." Some leaders may submit and say, "Lord Caesar," quietly burn their small bit of incense, and then justify their actions as did the small boy from the corner: "I may be bowing on the outside to your authority, but on the inside, I'm still standing up. Besides, God is interested in the heart being right. Lord, You know that I'm not really submitting to this authority, but in order to keep peace so I can go on about Your business of winning souls, I will bow on the outside. I'm bowing, but not on the inside, Lord."
But is it good enough for the Lord for one to remain "standing" on the inside while bowing on the outside? Obviously, God prohibits His people from both outward and inward submission to any authority above His authority. The Commandments consider inward and outward submission to authority as one and the same. Not until 20:17 does the Lord make any distinction between inward motive and outward action: Thou shalt not covet. E.g. "Lord, I may be committing adultery on the outside, but I am not on the inside."
Dan. 3:7, "fell down and worshipped the golden image" God makes no distinction between those who unwillingly and those who willingly bowed. God tells us that everyone who recognized Nebuchadnezzar's authority to make them bow, even so they could continue with their individual religious practices, worshipped the golden image. Therefore, no matter how good the motives or intentions might be, submission to civil authority's permission to worship God is bowing down to the image, i.e. idolatry (Exo 20:4, 5). Idolatry reap results upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. God is no respecter of persons; therefore, He will judge denial of His authority when civil authority is sought to obey Him.
The Church & Balaam
We should be reminded again that a New Testament Church is a group of people who have trusted Christ as their Substitute and Savior, and have recognized Him as both Lord and Christ (Ac 2:36). When a group of people submit the local church to civil authority, do they still have a church under the headship of Christ, or do they have a "religious organization" under the state? Read the incorporation papers; read the mailing stamp, and it will be obvious that the group is a state religious organization. God never approves the use of the world's means to do His work (Rom 6:1).
"But we are under Grace, not Law" expresses the desire to operate outside of God's Word. Observe:
- Galatians 6:7-9, anytime one sows to the flesh, corruption will result, or God's Word is not true, and
- the judgment of God is not according to how we feel it should be nor to our social standing but according to the Truth (i.e. the Law of God, Ps 119:142. Ro 1:18, 21; 2:2, 5-9, 11; Ja 2:9; 1 John 3:4; 1 Pet 1:17). The doctrine of "under Grace, not Law" has given the enemy an excellent opportunity to do his destructive work: the error of Balaam for reward. The Lord tells us that Balaam's doctrine was formulated to persuade God's people to compromise God's standards so the natural, destructive results would develop (Jude 11; Rev 2:14). Thus the sin, fornication, was used to turn God against His own people.
As destructive sins infiltrate under the cover of "under Grace, not Law," God needs not do anything except allow the natural results of death to develop (Pro 8:36. Cf. John 14:15- love for Christ is compared with obedience to His commands. Thus hate is defined as disregard of His commands, Hos 13:9. We are not saying that God does nothing against sin. Rom 2 tells us that God's action against sin is more often than not patience in rewarding sin {or, for that matter, in rewarding good: be not weary}. But evil, lawless men mistake His goodness and forbearance for God's ignorance of or winking at their sin, Ecc 8:11. Geneva: "Where justice is delayed, there sin reigns). Through the error of Balaam, the destruction of God's people, individuals &/or groups, i.e. incorporated NFP "religious organizations," is from within. The error of Balaam has been the most effective method of destruction against God's people ever devised: it makes sin look harmless, appealing and profitable to God's people. The devil needs not to roar; all he needs to do is purr and make sin appear harmless. By getting compromise accepted by whatever means at his disposal, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Regardless of its location, His wrath is against all ungodliness.
Some brief Conclusions:
- the civil magistrates see nothing wrong with demanding all religious activity be submitted for their approval.
- those who worship other gods see nothing wrong with the demand because it corresponds with their belief in many gods, each god receiving what he claims as his as long as none claim exclusiveness. (That is, none claiming exclusiveness except the state.)
- the pagan idea of the validity of each god has infiltrated Christian circles: "It doesn't hurt to recognize another authority over the `work of the Lord' as long as there is no prohibition against worshipping God as I see fit." Of course, there is no prohibition against "worshiping" God because this kind of "worship" is well within the heathen framework of many gods, each owed his individual respect as long as none but the state claim exclusiveness, e.g. respect each person's belief.
- therefore, idolatry is recognizing any other authority, civil or otherwise, not only over, but on equal footing with the Lord God. Can a ministry, even under the name of the `work of God,' serve two masters? Many attempt to live the impossible dream: the Lord said, "No servant can serve two masters" (Lu 16:13).
Enemy from Within
Balaam taught Balak well: the error of Balaam has been dressed up, cleaned up and passed off as not really an important issue as long as one is allowed to "worship the Lord." "So what if we have to bow down to the image, as long as we can go back and win souls, preach the gospel, have Christian Schools and teach about Jesus. The state isn't hindering our religious freedom as long as we submit to it what it wants. The devil always has his most effective victories from within, and the state owned and controlled corporation is no exception. The little sin which he has convinced us is okay will not only be our ruin, but its effect will be felt for four or five more generations. The little sin that Balaam taught Balak to offer to God's people is destroying them and rendering them powerless to bring a revival to a wicked, ungodly, anti-Christ society. My, how we need some Phinehas' who will recognize what Balak has done and drive out the compromise (Num 25:7).
Daniel
"It doesn't hurt to bow to the image and submit to the civil authority so we can continue to have religious freedom. The civil authority is not hindering us from worshipping or serving God as we see fit, so what is wrong with recognizing that authority?"
The civil authority saw no problem with the demand. Nebuchadnezzar's rule was known for its religious freedom. He allowed the conquered kingdoms to continue their religious practices with a certain amount of self-rule. If they would only submit their "worship" of the Lord God to his authority, they could "worship" the Lord God (or any god) as they desired. But the three young men clearly understood the law of God and the implications of bowing. Thus though the command involved no prohibition against "worshipping" the Lord God, they saw submission to the state's authority before the image as idolatry. The rest of God's people saw no problem, or if they did, they did not let their objections be known. They all submitted (bowed) to Nebuchadnezzar's claim of authority over their religious beliefs and practices.
The Issue
Thus we are confronted with the issue: if you will submit to the state's claim of jurisdiction over your religious practices, you can practice whatever religion you please. Filling out the state's forms does not presently prohibit soul-winning, prayer, assembly, preaching &/or teaching. In fact, the forms make these things more convenient. If you will only notify the authorities of your intention to carry out the great commission, they will put their stamp of approval upon it, and away we go - doing God's work under the state's protection and authority. Certainly, the state should provide protection for God's work to prosper, but protection is not the issue. The issue is authority. No place does God's Word imply the church should permit the state's authority over the church.
But is it only a matter of notification? If it was, the forms would not be necessary. Rather, a simple letter notifying the state of the purpose of the group would be sufficient to secure the same freedom to practice religion as other groups have who file the forms. But a letter will not work. We received our letter from the state saying that because we did not fill out the forms, we are not longer tax-exempt as a NFP.
The vast majority of God's people living in Babylon, the world system, see no problem or voice no objection to the demand bow to the image as long as they can continue "preaching the gospel." Notice the ones who did not believe in the one true God also had to bow to the image to practice their religion.
Balaam has taught Balak well. Balaam has convinced God's people that it is okay to bow to the image as long as bowing does not prohibit the worship of God and the carrying out of the great commission. It presently does not.
What our enemy has been unable to accomplish by outward pressure and cursing, he is seeing accomplished by inward pressure to bow to the image: "Bow, then you can preach the gospel with no interference." The result is just as he knew it would be: a powerless gospel which leaves society in his hands.