Dear Theresa,

Your Question(s): Where is it in the bible concerning the separation of church and government and why?

My Answer(s): Thank you for your question and comment, and for visiting my web site. I pray that my Father in heaven will continue to bless you in understanding His Holy Word. First, the short answer to your question is there is no such reading in the Holy Bible concerning separation of Church and State. This is an expression coming out of the American government Constitution as the first amendment states:

• Amendment I - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression
• Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The reason for this phrase written into the American Constitution was because of the government of Great Britain had a state run religion, which the colonies had broken away from during the American Revolution. However, today the Judicial part of the American government being persuaded by the people have ruled this amendment to mean anything about religion, and more specifically the Christian religion must be separated from or taken out of the government. Yet, the better reading of this amendment is the government cannot set up a state religion or government controlled religion. Nor should the government interfere with or prohibit the people from practicing any religion.

Now, the Holy Bible speaks of a state ran religion called Mystery Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots. This is a group of man-made human organizations called churches all under the name of Christianity that will form a state run Church (See my page on Babylon Explained).

The Holy Bible also speaks of us submitting to government as long as it does not cause us to violate the Law of Christ. We as Christians, true followers of Christ Jesus must follow the words of Jesus in the gospels where it is written: "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." (See Matt. 22:21, Mark 12:17 and Luke 20:25).

• Romans 13:1-7… 1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

· 1 Peter 2:13-25…

· Submission to Government and the laws of this world which do not conflict with the laws of Christ:

• 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

· Submission to Masters, Superiors or bosses, and those who rule over you:

• 18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 " Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

As you can see Theresa, the Holy Bible have instructions for the followers of Christ to submit to every law of man which do not cause you to break God’s spiritual laws. We are not to be the morality police of people in this world, but to set an example as one who fears God (Matthew 5:13-16). For as it is written, "why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?" (See Matthew 7:1-6, Romans 2:1, Romans 14:4 and 1 Corinthians 5:9-13). And again it is said, "For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges." (1 Corinthians 5:12-13).

In the past under many various so-called religious governments, many innocent and poor people have perished by the hands of those claiming to represent God. Saying those they killed and persecuted were evildoers, followers of the evil one. Yet, they were practicing evil themselves. Christ Jesus spoke of these evildoers saying, "yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service" (John 16:2). We don’t have to go far into the history of man to find such grievous and evil deeds of those in government all the while claiming they are godly persons. For this is an evil and adulterous world, and everyone in authority are not all that they claim to be.

Therefore, I exalt you to stand firm in your faith. And seek you first the kingdom of God, for every person will stand before the judgment seat. All who have lived will bow to Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11). As it is written, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…" (Philippians 2:12). Amen. Praise God.

Ron Davis, minister of Christ