The Baptist Faith and Message
XVII. Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has
left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to
His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state
owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual
ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should
be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God,
it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not
contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil
power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means
alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties
for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for
the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian
ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the
part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of
religion without interference by the civil power.
Gen. 1:27; 2:7;
Matt. 6:6-7, 24;
16:26; 22:21;
John 8:36; Acts
4:19-20; Rom. 6:1-2;
13:1-7; Gal.
5:1, 13; Phil.
3:20; 1 Tim. 2:1-2;
James 4:12; 1
Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17;
4:12-19.
Reprinted from the Baptist Faith and Message Tract (Stock
Number 11-051). Published by the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention, Nashville, Tennessee:
Tract Editor
Baptist Sunday School Board
127 Ninth Avenue, North
Nashville, Tennessee 37203