Jerald Finney
Copyright © April 5, 2011
Left click the following link for easy access to all articles on this website:
Complete listing of articles on “Separation of Church and State Law” blog

Recommended websites: The Old Time Way;  Only Way: An Appeal to Heaven
Recommended reading: Outcome Based Religion by Mac Dominick

Contents:

Note. A “+” represents a supportive letter, a “-” a negative letter

I. Introduction
II. (+) Letter No. 1 and my reply (On becoming a New Testament church, and bank account for such a church)
III. (-) Letter No. 2 and my reply (Ignorance on display)
IV. (+) Letter No. 3 (Some unrevised history from Pastor Manzoni)
V. (-) Letter No. 4 and my reply (The heart of God is for winning the lost not fighting the government)
VI. (+) Letter No. 5 and my reply (Should a church have a charter?)
VII. (+) Letter No. 6 and my reply (Looking for a non501c3 New Testament church)
VIII. (+) Letter No. 7 and my reply (Great teaching)
IX. (+) Letter No. 8 and my reply (Praise for sermon published on blog)
X. (+) Letter No. 9 and my reply (Studying the resources)
XI. Letter No. 10 , my reply, comments of Eric Rodriguez, comments of Aron Brackeen, and my final reply (On David Barton and his teaching)

XII. Information on books by Jerald Finney including links to online previews of two of his books.
XIII. Links to IRS Laws
XIV. Note concerning the Biblical Law Center and Jerald Finney

I. Introduction

This article presents more e-mails from pastors and others with their comments, concerns, and questions concerning articles on this blog, and my replies to those e-mails. These e-mail letters not only raise important questions which need to be addressed, but also give insights into the thoughts of pastors and other believers and non-believers. Authors are identified only with their permission.

II. Letter No. 1 received March 6, 2010

… I have since become the pastor of our small church. Before I came to the church it applied for 501 c 3 status. I have been looking into the matter for about a year. One of the expensive resources states there is no way to borrow money not 501 c 3. We have an EIN (also before I came). We owe on our building about $60,000 which will be paid in under five years. I wish I could say I had no part of that, but I was part of the church when we voted to borrow $200,000 to construct our present facility.

… I also want to honor the Lord. It seems the only way we can do this is to dissolve, reorganize, and transfer titles of property (vehicles and real) to the new church. This would also do away with our EIN. However, how can we do that when we owe $60,000 to the bank? We do owe a former member $12,000, and $6,100 on a credit card also (the latter was not my doing either).

Our church is just paying its bills and is not able to pay me any salary, gifts, or remuneration. I am looking for some resources to help me to know the Bible and legal way to being separate from Caesar when it can be done.

Soldiers for Christ,
Pastor _____________

My Reply:

Dear Brother ______________,

Can you call me or send your phone numbers so we can talk about this? I have misplaced your phone number so I can’t call you.

I am glad it all worked out with your wife’s situation.

I will be looking forward to hearing from you.

Bro. Finney

III. Letter No. 2 in response to the blog article,
“Church Incorporation Increases Liability of Church Members,”
received on March 23, 2010

how ridiculous.  pastored for 30 yrs a fundam bapt ch in nj- never had govt interference. too many christian crooks to not need this policy. cant even buy land, get tax exemption fm t town w/o 501. cant get a property off tax rolls, would pay thousands in taxes, lawyers,etc.

sorry- you are wrong here. guess you’ve never done it.

_______________________

My Reply to Letter No. 2:

Dear Pastor,

I love you. I love the Lord and His church more. I reply with all sincerity and humility.

Let me ask you before proceeding: Will you lay out the biblical doctrines of church, government, and separation of church and state? Also, will you please give me the relevant facts about history? Finally, will you please explain the law of non-profit incorporation and 501(c)(3) for churches and the history of religious freedom? You must be able to answer these questions before conclusions have any validity.

You are welcome to examine the biblical principles, laws, history, and other facts upon which I base my conclusions–those are fully explained and analyzed in my books, audio teachings, and articles. If you do not want to buy the books, you can access all my teachings for free through my articles and audio teachings. By the way, did you read the article(s) referenced below in my e-mail before sending this e-mail? I ask this because you do not dispute any facts or arguments I presented in the article(s); rather, you state unfounded and untrue conclusions.

New Testament churches (non-incorporated, non-501(c)(3), non-legal entity religious organizations) are operating in the United States and pleasing our Lord as well as getting the  property tax exemptions and the other advantages provided by civil law. I know and associate with many of them, and they agree with me. I submitted my teachings to many pastors for review before publishing them. Churches in America can, without persecution, remain under the Lord Jesus alone. People in those churches are taking tax deductions for contributions and using, for the Glory of God, the other advantages that state controlled religious organizations who ignorantly bow down to their false gods are enjoying. A member of a New Testament church needs to understand the law before claiming deductions for tithes and offerings.

One does not obey (or disobey in the case of state churches) God for worldly advantage. He does so because he loves Him. He does so even if he suffers or is inconvenienced. In America, no one will suffer at this time for doing things God’s way. There may be a few trivial inconveniences.

There are many ways to practice iniquity and disobey our Lord. The most common one for churches in America is through incorporation and 501(c)(3). Churches are rejoicing in iniquity rather than rejoicing in the truth, violating biblical principles, and grieving the Lord when they become legal entities such as incorporated 501(c)(3) religious organizations (see 1 Co. 13 esp. v. 6 as well as my teachings on the doctrines of church, government, separation of church and state, history and law).

Most pastors and Christians have no knowledge of the biblical doctrines of the church, civil government, separation of church and state, and the facts about history and law (incorporation and 501(c)(3)). Most pastors are blind on these matters and are leading the blind. I have met very few state pastors who can carry on a rational debate or conversation concerning the relevant doctrines and their application to the facts in the real world–those pastors who are knowledgeable know that my conclusions are right; yet many, for one reason or another, do not come out of Babylon. Sometimes they are so trapped by the system that they must spend years restructuring before they can come out of the system. On the other hand, the Biblical Law Center helps, on a regular basis,  state religious organizations  shed their ties to the state as they seek to obey biblical principles and become New Testament churches.

Please do not take this in the wrong spirit. I am only trying to wake up churches and believers. Biblical principles and the facts about the real world of incorporation, 501(c)(3) are there for anyone who is a born again believer to examine. If you want to attack God’s position, do so with knowledge, not with ridiculous unsupported conclusions.  I submit that your conclusions are wrong and grieve our Lord. I present facts based upon biblical principles, history, law and practice.

I love you, therefore I tell you the truth. You mention Christian crooks. Did you know that you are one of them? You are crooked as they come because you violate God’s principles. You dishonor Christ’s relationship with His church. You are a spiritual prostitute. Please begin to seek the truth in these matters so that you can be set free (See, e.g., John 8:31-32).

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

For His Glory,
Jerald Finney

IV. Letter No. 3 received on March 25, 2010

Amen, Amen and Amen

Thank you Brother for your emails. Always a blessing a pleasure to read them.

The heresy of Calvinism has infiltrated and led many astray. Of course, thinking that those ruling in Boston during pre-Constitution were friendly to born-again believers, just need to stop drinking the Kool aid. The ruling “christians” throughout colonial America persecuted men, women and children of faith.  Our history books simply ignore it.

I live in Rhode Island, founded by Baptists yet now it is the most Catholic state in the Union; a sad irony. Clearly, our authority to preach the Gospel is from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, regardless of the tyranny that is sweeping the country.

But again, thank you for your blessings of the emails and readings.

In the Love of Christ Jesus,
Mark Manzoni
Fellowship Baptist Church
Cumberland RI

V. Letter No. 4 in response to the blog article
“Limited Liability: Another False Rationale for Church Incorporation”
received on  received March 26, 2010

The heart of God is for His Bride & the winning of the lost, not fighting the government.

thank you
_____________

My Reply to Letter No. 4

Dear Brother,

I agree with you when you said, “The heart of God is for His Bride & the winning of the lost, not fighting the government.” That is what this is all about. The relationship between Christ and His church, His wife, His bride is extremely important to Him (See, e.g., Ep. 5:22-33). I would recommend reading the opening article on the “Welcome” page of churchandstatelaw.com. I did not write the article, but it offers great insight.

The heart of God is that we should glorify Him, love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. If we do that, we will be the greatest soul winners in the world. I am not for fighting the government either. My message is to churches. Our Lord wants his pastors and churches to proceed with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. He wants His churches under Him only. Churches in America can do that without persecution. Yet many American churches and pastors are so deceived that they wrongly think they are gaining worldly advantages by incorporation and 501c3. Not only are they losing many of the rights recognized by the 1st Amendment as well as by state constitutional provisions and laws, they are grieving our Lord when they put themselves at least to some degree under another lover.

I understand that many Christians have been deceived about these matters. I also understand that most of those who have been deceived are like the Pharisees–their minds are closed to these truths. They have never studied the issues and they will not study the issues. I will continue to proclaim the truths of the Word of God to those who have an ear to hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.

With love in Christ,
Jerald Finney

VI. Letter No. 5 received on April 21, 2010

Greetings Brother Jerald,

Without taking too much of your time, would you be kind enough to give me a quick general overview of your position regarding whether or not a local ekklesia (or Lordship church) should possess a “church charter”.  As I believe you know, I appreciate and value your input on matters of this nature.

Thank you in advance.
Peace and blessings in Christ to you,
______________: pastor & ambassador for the Christ

My Reply to Letter No. 5

Dear Brother ______________________,

In my opinion, a church should not have a church “charter” because this  would violate biblical principles. I base this on an application of the biblical doctrines of the church, government and separation of church and state to the definition of “charter” in a modern Webster’s dictionary, the 1828 Webster’s dictionary, and Black’s Law Dictionary. I think you will agree if you look at those definitions. If you disagree, please let me know.

Thanks for respecting me enough to seek my opinion. I also greatly esteem you and your efforts for our Lord.

For His Glory,
Brother Jerald Finney

VII. Letter No. 6 received March 20, 2011

Hello

I’m rather well informed about the 501c3 church issue, it’s been a matter of personal study for the last 2 years and so I don’t need any more convincing about it.  You’re probably familiar with people asking you the question, “ok Mr. Finney I live in randomtown USA and don’t want to be leavened by my local 501c3 ‘church’.  What do you recommend?”  Well, it’s about time I ask you that question myself.  What do you recommend?  I’m a 26 year old man, young husband, new father, believe the authorized version is God’s words preserved and translated by faithful men into English.  Believe Jesus Christ is King of Kings and has the preeminence in all things.  Looking for preaching against Rome and her idolatries etc etc. Any suggestions on what in the world to do?  We live in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio if it’s any help.

Eric
Eric Rodriguez
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus  1Tim 2:5

My Reply to Letter No. 6

Dear Brother,

You might contact the following pastor about such a church in your area. I don’t remember if Novelty, Ohio is a suburb of Cincinnati or Cleveland. At any rate, he  may be able to help you find a church if Doers of the Word Baptist Church is not close to where you live.

Sanders, Pastor Ernie Doers of the Word Baptist Church; 9975 Kinsman Rd. (#87), Novelty, Ohio 44072; Home Phone: 440-338-6323; Phone No. 440-729-7717; 440-564-1319;

God bless you for seeking to do things His way.

For His Glory,
Brother Jerald Finney

VIII. Letter No. 7 received March 11, 2011
in response to “The Biblical Doctrine of Separation of Church and State.”

This is perfect! I asked God for more wisdom and knowledge about the biblical doctrine of the separation of the church and state and here,,, just learning all about the wonderful teachings Mr J Finney provided.

I am also considering going into politics as Christian so that my country represent will know that God is alive and through God we can build democracy. Thank you for this site! God Bless.

My Reply to Letter No. 7

Thanks for your comment. We need knowledgeable believers running our civil governments. May the Lord bless you greatly.

Jerald Finney

IX. Letter No. 8 received on March 5, 2011 commenting on
the sermon “The Soon Coming of the Son of Man”
by Missionary Richard Miller

Greetings Brother Finney,

Once again I want to thank you for the email of 3/3/2011…I have listened to most of the sermon’s, however I had not listened to Brother Richard Miller’s sermon on “The soon coming of The Son of Man”.

I have listened to Brother Miller the second time on this sermon. (Fantastic)

I read all of Brother Miller’s Biography…What a great work this Brother is doing in reference to the Lord’s Word.

Thank you for all of work you are doing for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…I am getting such an abundance of “Knowledge and Wisdom”, thanks to all of your work and effort. AMEN.

Love on Jesus Christ
John W. Baird

My Reply to Letter No. 8

Thanks, Bro. Baird. I agree with you on Bro. Miller. What a great message. I have heard him preach 2 or 3 times and every time he has hit a home run. I publish comments from pastors and other Christians from time to time. Would you give me permission to publish yours with your identity (not your e-mail address or contact info.)? Or, if not with your name, without your name? I would greatly appreciate your permission to do so.

God bless you and thanks for the encouragement.

For His Glory,
Bro. Finney

X. Letter No. 9 received on January 10, 2011

Dear Brother Jerald Finney,

I want to thank you for the email of 01-08-2011 [linking to the blog article] Christ, the Bridegroom/Husband/Head of His churches‏.

It has been difficult to figure out just where to start…So after some serious thought and looking over the choices…I decided to! Why not start with (About Jerald Finney) you. I believe I made an excellent choice. I want to commend you for all the work and study you have put into the Work of The Lord Jesus Christ. I am 85 an unless the Lord really wants me to, I will never be able to get through it all, one reason, one really needs to slow up and absorb what he is reading? Just in case you can not place the name. I am Chris Millers Grandpa. Thanks again. Wishing you and yours a nice day.

Love On Jesus Christ
John W. Baird

My Reply to Letter No. 9

Dear Brother Baird,

Thanks for your comment. I just posted it. I have been out of town most of the last 3-4 months and have gotten behind. It takes a lot of time to study these issues out, but it is good to see a brother in Christ who is interested in the things of God.

Hope to see you before long. Chris is a great young man of God. One of my favorites. You and his dad did a great job, with the Lord’s help, bringing him up.

Brother Finney

Letter No. 10 received on December 29, 2010 (On David Barton)

Jerald Finney received the following interplay by e-mail:

Every living American needs to see and hear this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlfEdJNn15E.

It’s the true history. It is and can  be documented. If the click on link doesn’t appear then go to utube. Address below.

gm

I’ve seen this before, it was very impressive! Somebody asked, “what happened”? I’ll tell you plainly: AMERICA (citizens, churches & government) HAS FORGOTTEN HER ROOTS AND UPBRINGING AND TURNED HER BACK COMPLETELY TOWARD GOD! HER LAMP HAS GONE OUT, Period!! Judgment day is coming… SOON!!  Better repent & be ready… Phil. 4:13 <///><

Sandy

This is well worth the time to take watching. A church site I didn’t know about?  First English Bible printed by whom and when?  This is something we were never taught in school…! I did not know this, did you?  ——–  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlfEdJNn15E

So what happened?

My Reply:

Beloved friends,

For many years, I followed and greatly admired David Barton. I worked in the political parties to bring America back under God. I supported the “God save America” efforts of the fundamental Baptist movement. However, Barton and other Christian authors and speakers I depended upon did not explain certain matters that obviously needed to be explained. For example, I repeated their mantra, as did a lot of other Christians, “Separation of church and state is not found in the Constitution” (or “The words ‘separation of church and state’ are not found in the Constitution.”). So what is to be concluded from that question? Should church and state be combined? If so, who is to control, church or state? What can one expect from a combination of church and state if the state controls? What if the church controls? Which church will control, and what will happen to those labeled “heretics” because they refuse to bow down to the established religion, especially to those who hold an interpretation which conflicts with established creed? Will they suffer the fate of Christians in many Buddhist, Hindu, atheist, and Moslem nations (When in power, Islam, by the way, believes in and practices union of religion and state)? And what about separation of God and state as we now see in America? How can God be over a nation? How can God’s principles be the guiding light for a nation? How did America become a pluralistic nation that has rejected the one true God? Etc.

David Barton never publicly looks any deeper than the selected historical facts he quotes and at times misquotes and always incorrectly analyzes. He does not explain his theology. Some of the other leaders who share Barton’s beliefs do look deeper, explain their theology, and intend union of church and state. Their intentions are based upon a false interpretation of Scripture. They believe, against biblical teaching and against the witness of history, that the union of church and state will result in peace and unity on earth before Christ returns. They are actively promoting the one world government and religion that is prophesied in the Bible; and they don’t understand this because of their perversion of Scripture.

Yes, the facts Barton cites can be documented. However, David Barton leaves out a lot of facts that need to be studied and known in order to correctly understand the history of America. He is a Christian revisionist. Because American Christians have followed Christian revisionism, America has continued to decline at an accelerating rate. I learned this as a result of my life experiences including experiences in the law and in years of study of what is happening in many churches. In my studies, I came across many facts-facts that anyone can easily verify-which David Barton and other Christian revisionist never mentioned; through studying both contemporary and historical books which, when put together, tell the whole story. I found the answers to the questions presented in the first paragraph above, and much more.

I give a lot of facts that David Barton never touches upon in my books (click the following link for links to books, including those I have written: http://churchandstatelaw.com/gpage1.html), articles, and audio teachings. Those facts must be known before one can understand the issues. My articles are published on https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/, any my audio teaching are published on https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/ and http://churchandstatelaw.com/gpage2.html.

Click the following links for more on David Barton: “Exposing the Dangers of David Barton’s Teachings” and “David Barton’s Christian Revisionism.”

After salvation, God desires that his children grow in knowledge. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Ho. 4.6). “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Pe. 1.3-10). I explain this in much more detail in my teachings. Go to https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/after-salvation/ for a biblical teaching on growing in knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

Should Christians continue their misguided attempts to “save America,” less and less will be accomplished for that cause, much less the cause of saving our American churches and the cause of winning souls to Christ. As I labored long and hard to bring America back under God starting in the mid-80s, I watched as my efforts along with those of millions of well-meaning Christians produced no true victories and as America (and more importantly, her churches and Christians) moved farther and farther from God and His principles. Keep following men like David Barton. Based upon biblical teaching and principles, I believe your efforts will continue to be counterproductive.

For His Glory,
Jerald Finney, believer, BBA, JD

P.S. I strongly recommend the book Outcome-Based Religion by Mac Dominick

Comments of Eric Rodriguez

Hello

A few years ago I would have scoffed at you for being unpatriotic and anti-American.  Having been thoroughly immersed in the neo-conservative ecumenical  hodge podge otherwise known as FoxNews, your email definitely would have fallen on deaf ears.  Casting the 501c3 inc. trap in light of scripture makes such a difference!  I want to keep this email brief so I’ll get to the point.  The point is, I think you should check out the documentary, “The Hidden Faith of our Fathers”.  I noticed that David Barton didn’t mention the word “freemason” in that promo video.  You can tell a lot about a ‘teacher’ by the things they say.  You can also tell a lot about a ‘teacher’ by the things they omit.  The catch is, unless you know that something’s missing, you’ll never be suspicious if something is missing because you won’t know in the first place that it needs to be said!!  Here’s the link to the promo video:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upZmIp0X1Hs

Eric

Comments of Aron Brackeen

Dear Jerald Finney,

My beloved brother, studious friend, and benevolent mentor, you have conveyed a much needed critique of the David Barton’s efforts to communicate a partial and misguided view of American history.  You are to be commended.

I have to wonder if those to whom you sent this know and understand about the partiality of Barton’s grasp on such subjects.  Do they recognize the facts that, in the architectural embellishment of the Supreme Court building, there are many icons represented.  There, one will see Hammurabi, Moses, Solomon, Lycurgus, Solon, Draco, Confucius, Augustus, Justinian, Mohammed, Charlemagne, King John, St. Louis, Hugo Grotius, William Blackstone, John Marshall, and Napoleon.  Moses, with BLANK tablets, is no more in stature or prominence than the others up above the heads of men in the South Courtroom Frieze.  The sculpture located above the East (or rear) entrance to the Supreme Court is Justice the Guardian of Liberty, the supposed image of Moses is in company with Confucius and Solon.  I have to wonder if Moses could tolerate such an generic association of so-called great leaders if were he alive today.

That’s not all.  On the oak courtroom doors are the supposed Mosaic Laws on two tablets; laws represented by Roman numerals only AND on the bottom-half of the door, not in the line of vision, as is the top ornament.  I have to wonder some more: Do any of your readers know who Adolph Weinman was, that is, his worldview and how it shaped his sculptures?  (They can find out here, http://www.aaa.si.edu/collectionsonline/weinadol/, if the dare.)  He’s the one who executed sculpture for the Supreme Court.  The Rotunda is a different story.

In the U.S. Capitol Rotunda that David Barton so adorns with his revisionist history, the particular paintings he loves to tell the story of (Landing of Columbus, 1847; Baptism of Pocahontas, 1837;  Embarkation of the Pilgrims, 1844) weren’t added until between 1837 and 1847.  That’s significant in itself.  But it gets worse.  Shall I mention the Frieze of American History?  Yes!

It is paintings that appear as a carved stone around the rotunda ring below the thirty-six windows.  It isn’t as doctrinal as one would suppose after listening to Barton.  Started on paper in 1859, the first seven and half scenes were all that were done by 1880 before the artist died.  It was completed–except for a 31-foot mistake–by a different artist in 1889.  The last correction was done in 1951.  The dates are important.  Constantino Brumidi, undoubtedly Roman Catholic due to his background, started this elaborate imagery of American History with more than is know if Barton is the only source.  Notice what he started with in these scenes:

• America and History
  Landing of Columbus
  Cortez and Montezuma at Mexican Temple (absolutely nothing to do with American history or authentic Christianity)
  Pizarro Going to Peru (absolutely nothing to do with American history or authentic Christianity, unless you associate it with what humans pursue–wealth)
  Burial of DeSoto
  Captain Smith and Pocahontas
  Landing of the Pilgrims
• and half of William Penn and the Indians
  To me, what is interesting about the content of historical representation is the mixture that is shown in the District of Criminals.  That mixture of ideas is the very thing Christians are warned about and prohibited from in the Holy Writ of God: something Enlightenment thinkers would and did reason away with all sorts of fanciful distortions of truth.

Jerald, may the archives of Heaven welcome your content.  Continue being a light in  what is increasingly becoming the darkest of days in all of American history AND what is called Christianity.

Our LORD guide your heart into the love of God and the patient waiting for Jesus Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Aron Brackeen

My reply:

Beloved concerned and active believers,

If you really want to begin to know “the rest of the story” or the whole story concerning David Barton’s teachings, please start with the bottom letter and go up. It will only take you a few minutes and may be of great help to you in your future endeavors for the Glory of God. May the Lord richly bless you with all spiritual blessings as you proceed in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

As you can see, two of the contributors to this exchange, Aron Brackeen and Eric Rodriguez (who would a few years ago called me unpatriotic and anti-American, as I would have called someone with my present views.), have looked deeper into the facts.

For His Glory,
Jerald Finney, believer, JD, BBA

XII. Note

God Betrayed/Separation of Church and State: The Biblical Principles and the American Application (Link to preview of God Betrayed): may be ordered from Amazon by clicking the following link: God Betrayed on Amazon.com or from Barnes and Nobel by clicking the following link: God Betrayed on Barnes and Noble. All books by Jerald Finney as well as many of the books he has referenced and read may also be ordered by left clicking “Books” (on the “Church and State Law” website) or directly from Amazon by going to the following links: (1) Render Unto God the Things that Are His: A Systematic Study of Romans 13 and Related Verses (Kindle only); (2) The Most Important Thing: Loving God and/or Winning Souls (Kindle only); (3) Separation of Church and State/God’s Churches: Spiritual or Legal Entities? (Link to preview of Separation of Church and State/God’s Churches: Spiritual or Legal Entities?) which can also be ordered by clicking the following Barnes and Noble link: Separation of Church and State on Barnes and Noble.

XIII. Links to Internal Revenue Code Laws

You can read portions of the following Internal Revenue Code laws which pertain to churches and pastors by going to the following site: “Laws Protecting New Testament Churches in the United States: Read Them for Yourself”; or you may read an entire law online by clicking the following links:

1. § 501(c)(3). Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.
2. § 508. Special rules with respect to section 501(c)(3) organizations
3. § 7611. Restrictions on church tax inquiries and examinations
4. § 1402. [Dealing with taxes on income of pastors]
5. § 107. Rental value of parsonages
6. § 102. Gifts and inheritances (Tithes and offerings are gifts and, therefore, according to the Internal Revenue Code § 102, not income)
7. § 2503. Taxable gifts
8. § 170. Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts

XIV. Note

The Biblical Law Center helps churches to organize as New Testament churches completely out from under civil government and under God only. See churchandstatelaw.com for contact information for Jerald Finney, counsel for the Biblical Law Center. This is a ministry, not a business enterprise. Jerald Finney has made no profit at all in this endeavor of Christian love, but rather has expended much of his own money for God’s glory, in attempting to provide information and service for God’s churches.

All conclusions in this article are opinions of the author. Please do not attempt to act in the legal system if you are not a lawyer, even if you are a born-again Christian. Many questions and finer points of the law and the interpretation of the law cannot be properly understood by a simple facial reading of a civil law. For a born-again Christian to understand American law, litigation, and the legal system as well as spiritual matters within the legal system requires years of study and practice of law as well as years of study of Biblical principles, including study of the Biblical doctrines of government, church, and separation of church and state. You can always find a lawyer or Christian who will agree with the position that an American church should become incorporated and get 501(c)(3) status. Jerald Finney will discuss the matter, as time avails, with any such person, with confidence that his position is supported by God’s Word, history, and law. He is always willing, free of charge and with love, to support his belief that for a church to submit herself to civil government in any manner grieves our Lord and ultimately results in undesirable consequences. He does not have unlimited time to talk to individuals. However, he will teach or debate groups, and will point individuals to resources which fully explain his positions.

About Jerald Finney: The author is a Christian first and a lawyer second. He has no motive to mislead you. In fact, his motivation is to tell you the truth about this matter, and he guards himself against temptation on this and other issues by doing all he does at no charge. He does not seek riches. His motivation is his love for God first and for others second. His goal is the Glory of God. Jerald Finney has been saved since 1982. God called him to go to law school for His Glory. In obedience, Finney entered the University of Texas School of Law in 1990, was licensed and began to practice law, for the Glory of God, in November of 1993.  To learn more about the author click the following link: About Jerald Finney.

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