Church and State

Church and State [NAVE]

CHURCH AND STATE
(Identical in the theocratic period. No particular Scripture can be cited, but the student is directed to the legislative, judicial, and administrative functions of Moses, Joshua, the Judges, and Samuel as shown in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and Samuel, and to the Church sub-topics Government and Rules of Discipline where it is evident that civil and ecclesiastical functions are united.)
Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil
Appoints kings, 1 Sam. 10:1.
Directs administration, 1 Sam. 15:1-4.
Reproves rulers, 1 Sam. 15:14-35.
Withdraws support and anoints a successor, 1 Sam. 16:1-13; 2 Kin. 9:1-26; 11:4-12.
Attempted usurpation of ecclesiastical functions by civil authorities, reproved, 1 Sam. 13:8-14; 2 Chr. 26:16-21.
State Superior to the Church
David, in organizing the priests and Levites in courses, and appointing musicians, instruments, and other details of religious services, 1 Chr. 23; 24; 25; 2 Chr. 35:4.
Solomon, in thrusting Abiathar out of the high priest's office, 1 Kin. 2:26, 27; in overshadowing the ecclesiastical in building the temple, and officiating primarily in the dedication, intercessory or priestly prayer, pronouncing the benediction, etc., 1 Kin. 5-8.
Hezekiah, in reorganizing temple service, 2 Chr. 31:2-19.
Jeroboam, in subverting the Jewish religion, 1 Kin. 12:26-33.
Manasseh, in subverting, and afterward restoring, the true religion, 2 Chr. 33:2-9, 15-17.
Jehoash, in supervising the repairs of the temple, 2 Kin. 12:4-18.
Ahaz, in transforming the altars, 2 Kin. 16:10-16.
Josiah, in exercising the function of the priests in the temple, 2 Chr. 34:29-33.
State Favorable to the Church
Cyrus, in his proclamation to restore the temple at Jerusalem, 2 Chr. 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1-11.
Darius, in his edict furthering the restoration of the temple, Ezra 6:1-14.
Artaxerxes, in exempting priests, Levites, and other temple workers from taxes, Ezra 7:24.
See: Government; Tax.