# Religious Liberty --- Author: Greg Baker Index: [[CAN White Papers]] Word Doc: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/efzbnw3ul3mwnmshlcykh/Religious-Liberty-Biblical-Principles.docx?dl=0&rlkey=qnf2gsqox0y4p1uv650c4ebhx --- **Introduction** In the Church Ambassador Network, a ministry of The FAMiLY LEADER Foundation, we hold to the teachings of the Bible that Christ established His Church and commanded His Church to bring His teachings all around the world. Throughout history, governments have opposed, supported, or remained neutral to the Church’s efforts to spread His teachings. For much of the American history of the Church, the Church has been blessed by Constitutional protections that have allowed Christians to freely live out their faith in Christ. When thinking of the future of religious liberty in the United States and other nations of the world consider the following biblical principles: 1. **The growth of Christ’s Church and the Gospel do not depend on religious liberty.** Christ’s Church has faced persecution throughout history. In spite of this persecution, Christ’s Church continues to grow and has grown across all the continents of the world. When Christ told us that He would build His Church and not even the gates of hell could stop Him, He meant it. Christ will build His Church whether it is legal or not. “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” (Acts 5:28) **2.** **Christians are to share God’s Truth and Gospel whether it is legal or not.** The Gospel is the hope of all people and all nations. Christians are commanded to share that Gospel, even when it is illegal. That is why Christians have and must continue to share the Gospel and the Truth of God’s Word both in and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people.” (Acts 5:29) **3.** **Christians can use their constitutional rights as citizens to protect religious liberty.** Many nations grant constitutional rights to their citizens, including the freedom to practice religion. In the United States, Americans receive First Amendment protections. As a Roman citizen, Paul took advantage of the rights granted to him as a citizen. Christians, too, should steward the citizenship rights given to them, including standing for and defending religious freedoms. “As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?” When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” (Acts 22:25-26) **4.** **Religious liberty is an incredible gift and we must be good stewards of it.** One of the best ways Christians can steward the gift of religious liberty is by using it. It is important that Christians are not apathetic to their ability freely promote Christ throughout every aspect of society. Brothers and sisters in Christ must boldly proclaim Christ and His Word, raise up disciples, and plant churches throughout their nation and beyond. This is not only being a good steward of what has been given to you, it is the best way to protect it. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.” (Luke 12:48) **5.** **Government must protect religious liberty.** Government is an institution of God’s. It is the institution of justice, which is to punish evil and commend good. God created government for our good. Government must look out for the people’s good by protecting and commending religious liberty. “Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.” (1 Peter 2:13-14) **6.** **Religious liberty is protected by praying for those in authority.** The Bible commands Christians to pray for those in authority, whether you agree with them or not. One of the reasons is so that Christians can live peaceful and quiet lives, absent of persecution. This not only pleases God, but also pushes the Gospel forward. “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4) **7.** **Christians are to face persecution with joy, love those who do not love in return, and give thanks in all circumstances.** Throughout history and today, Christ’s followers have faced persecution. Christ has called His people to give thanks in all circumstances, which includes persecution, to face it with joy to be counted worthy to suffer with Christ, and to even love those who hate you. It is through these things that we shine as a light in this dark world. “Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.” (Acts 5:40-42) “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:23-25) **8.** **Christ is the ultimate hope, refuge, protector and deliverer of Christians, not princes, laws or constitutions.** Though governments, constitutions, and laws have and can protect the Church, they are not the primary place for the Church to turn for protection. Christians must turn to the Lord in their days of trouble. He is their true defender. In the West, it is important that this faith is modeled, particularly as the western church puts a huge emphasis on growing the Church in the 10/40 window. If the Church needs government as its protector, what hope does this give to other brothers and sisters around the world. “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)