ARTICLE XVII- SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes, proclaims and teaches: our founding fathers established a constitution to keep civil government in its proper perspective. It is our faith and solemn belief the civil government should be influenced by the prayers, preaching, teaching and involvement of all believers in Christ. Christians should be actively involved in the electoral and legislative processes working to promote a godly government.

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes that requirements of license, certification and taxes on the church of the Lord Jesus Christ are unconstitutional and non-Biblical.

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL will not endorse any candidate directly or indirectly nor will participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL will not give contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) by or on behalf of the organization in favor of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. However, REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL does reserve the right to be a voice of righteousness based on the Canon of the Word Of God, and will address issues that effect the current generation.

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL does encourage its staff, members and volunteer force to freely express themselves as individuals, and ask them to clearly declare their opinions do not represent REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL. Within the guidelines of the IRS’ Tax Guide For Churches and Religious Organization —Free expression on political matters by leaders of churches or religious organizations speaking for themselves, as individuals IS FULLY ENCOURAGED. Our leaders are not prohibited from speaking about important issues of public policy. However, for REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL to remain tax exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3), religious leaders can NOT make partisan comments in official organization publications or at official Church/Ministry functions. To avoid potential attribution of their comments outside of Church/Ministry functions and publications, our leaders who speak or write in their INDIVIDUAL capacity are encouraged to clearly indicate that their comments are personal and not intended to represent the views of REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL CHURCH/Ministries.

REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL believes, proclaims and teaches The churches’ fivefold offices (the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher) are God ordained and need no man’s approval or control.

The Holy Spirit calls and maintains the work of God.

The government is not above the Living God. The state is to be a servant to the Constitution of the United States of America for the good of the people; it shall be accountable to God for its actions. God is the Ultimate Authority, and should be obeyed above any other delegated authority. We believe that we should, “live peaceably with all men”. However, we will resist peaceably all efforts of civil governments to control the churches of The Lord Jesus Christ. The Constitution which supports the idea of separation of church and state adheres to this principle. The founding documents clearly prohibit the establishment of a state religion and guarantee the free exercise of religious belief. The church is to be a minister of grace and truth according to the Word Of God; the state is to be a minister of justice and the protection of the Constitution and of enemies foreign and domestic— it is to NEVER REWRITE THE HOLY SCRIPTURES FOR POLITICAL AGENDA. The church is to be a voice of righteousness to the Government and to the people. REDEMPTIONCORPS INTERNATIONAL, therefore, exhorts our members to be active in praying and working for Biblical, godly civil governments that we may lead a quiet and peaceful lives.

2 Timothy 2:1-2

(Prayer and Intercession of Civil Authority)

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Romans 13:1-10

(Submission To Authorities that do not violate The Written Word of God)

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill ( MURDER ), Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Acts 5:29

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Matthew 22:15-21

15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Proverbs 8:15-17

15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Exodus 18:11

Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

Romans 12:17-18

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

2 Peter 2:13-20

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Job 34:24

He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.