On January 19, 2016, I received the following e-mail from a brother in Christ. My reply follows his e-mail below.

Mr. Finney,

I am deacon in a nondenominational church and in the past few years GOD has brought the issue of church incorporation and many other matters before me regarding how we relate to government. Needless to say it has not been taught thoroughly.   When I presented the problem to the “board” last year it was quickly rejected by pastor and most of other deacons except for one as unimportant and was promoting a “works agenda”.   I have prayed about the issue and GOD has at least softened my pastors heart in regards to hearing what is involved in unincorporating.   Which brings me to thanking you for all the valuable information in scripture and otherwise  you have put together on this subject.

I do have question for you   In reading your material I keep running across the statement “Ultimately, fewer and fewer souls are saved because of this compromise.”

This strikes as false to me.  Please back up with scripture.

Fewer and fewer souls are not saved NOT as a result of a individuals or churches failure to present the gospel.   GOD has foreknowledge of who will believe and he is not limited to providing them with the way of salvation because of the failures of a church or individual.   That would violate his attributes of Omniscience and Omnipotence.  Did he not know from eternity past who would and would not believe?

No doubt we are to be a SALT and LIGHT and be prepared to give the GOSPEL when the opportunity arises.

Your brother in CHRIST

__________________

My Reply:

Dear Brother __________,

Thanks for your e-mail. It is always good to hear from a believer who loves the Lord and is sensitive to the word of God and his precepts, and seeks to promote those precepts in his church body. Thank you for your interest and concerns. You ask a very good question.

The Bible is my authority. I would rather believe the word of God than any of man’s interpretations. I have thoroughly considered the issue you bring up and bowed my thoughts to the mind of Christ, as stated in his word. I followed the directive in Isaiah 28.9-13:

“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.”

So, according to Scripture, one is not to leave out some lines and some precepts. One is to begin in Genesis and read and study through Revelation to grow in knowledge and understanding of a doctrine. That is what I did. I considered all the relevant doctrines of Christ, taking in all of related Scripture, just believing what I read, without interpretation. Therefore, I could not distort or leave out those parts that did not agree with an interpretation. One cannot fully understand all that God has for us in his word. Therefore, it is best just to believe it all.

Now, please allow me to first address the response of your pastor and other deacons who feel that getting a church under Christ according to the precepts of God – their reply that doing so is a “works agenda.” That response shows a complete lack of understanding of vital Bible doctrines. I am reminded, first of Titus 2:14: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Let me now be more specific. As you probably know, I quote many verses concerning the matter of church order in my books. Let me just mention one here:

Ephesians 5:22-33  “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Those verses show both the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. Those verses (and many other verses which I do not quote here) make clear the nature of the relationship and that churches are free to either honor or dishonor that relationship. God honors the relationship. The question is, “Will a church honor the relationship.” Should a church honor the relationship, she will be a “glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle,” since Christ will, without fail, honor the relationship. Christ gave himself for the church. The only question is whether a church will be subject to and give herself to Christ. A church is sanctified and cleansed ” with the washing of water by the word.” The church body is to get into the word of God, study the relevant precepts, and apply them in and to the body.

I surmise from your letter that the pastor and other deacons feel that believers are free, under God, to do whatever they decide to do as long as their motive is to do God’s work. Motive is important, but it can lead to heresy and even apostasy when God’s methods are not followed in doing God’s work. In fact, substituting man’s methods for God’s methods is the result of, at the very least, heresy. The Bible teaches that men are free to do whatever they want in regards to doing God’s work – they can choose to do things God’s way or they can choose to do things man’s way contrary to the ways of God. Of course, God desires that they follow his directions and not make up their own methodologies which are out of line with his word. You see, the method matters to God. I suggest listening to the sermon, “The Method Matters To God,” which can be accessed by going to the following webpage and scrolling down to sermons by Pastor Jason Cooley on the doctrine of the church

The Biblical Doctrine of the Church

I believe in the sovereignty of God. I believe that the Bible makes clear that God is sovereign and that, as sovereign, he allows men to choose life or to choose death. There are many, many, many verses in the Bible that teach free will as there are that teach the sovereignty of God.

This is not a works doctrine, although it may be said to be in line with the word of God a works agenda. We are to work if we are saved, but we are not saved by our works. Faith is not a work. Repentance is not a work. Trusting Christ to save one from sin is the opposite of a work. Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

I agree that God has foreknowledge. God knows who will choose life and who will choose death. Nevertheless, we see his warnings and pleas for man to repent and choose life throughout Scripture. We also see that he points out the consequences of loving him as opposed to rejecting him throughout Scripture. The Lord instructs believers in the New Testament to preach the Gospel to everyone. Likewise, we see that God tells us about heresy and apostasy and where it leads. See my articles on apostasy below.

Heresy and apostasy

Church Incorporation, 501c3, Heresy, and Apostasy

Recent accelerated apostasy in the United States

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Apostasy at the end of the church age

The apostasy of Israel and the apostasy of the church followed the same pattern and result(ed) in fewer and fewer coming to the Lord to the point that, eventually, in Israel, only a small remnant believed and followed God, his statutes and commandments; the point was reached where the only remedy available to God was judgment. The same is true of the church age – the apostasy has led to fewer and fewer coming to and following our Lord. God’s word explains what the results will be.

The Bible teaches that there are three steps in the downfall of a nation – religious apostasy, moral awfulness, and political anarchy. Romans 1.21-32, which gives the seven stages of Gentile world apostasy (verses 21-23) and the result of Gentile world apostasy (verses 24-32) demonstrate both the sovereignty of God and the free will of man.

Romans 1:21-32: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

May the Lord bless you as you seek to do his will.

For His Glory,
Brother Jerald Finney

Jerald C. Finney
Mail: P.O. Box 1346 ; Austin TX 78767
Office : 700 Lavaca, Suite 1400, Austin TX
Phone (512) 785-8445 (C) ; 512-808-5529 (O) ; 512-385-0761 (H)
E-MAIL: jerald.finney@sbcglobal.net
Website : « Separation of Church and State Law » (opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com)

10/30/2015

E-Mail to the following:

David Wilske
Patrol Lieutenant for the University of Minnesota Police Department
511 Washington Ave. SE
Suite No. 1
Minneapolis MN 55455
wilsk001@umn.edu

Cc:

Janeé Harteau
Chief of Police
350 South 5 ^th Street
Room 130
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1389
612-673-3559
Fax: 612-673-2613
E-mail: police@minneapolismn.gov

Inspector Katherine Waite
Commander of the 2nd Precinct
1911 Central Avenue N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 673-5702
Fax (612) 370-3885
police@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Mayor Betsy Hodges
350 S. 5th St., Room 331
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: (612) 673-2100

City Attorney (Called but the answerer could not give me the name of the city attorney-gave me the e-mail address below)
City Hall, Room 210
350 S. 5th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 673-2010
policereview@minneapolismn.gov

Ward 2 – Cam Gordon
350 S. 5th St., Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 673-2202
cam.gordon@minneapolismn.gov

RE:  Advance notice concerning protected speech within the jurisdiction of UMPD by the men of the OPBC Street Preaching Ministry in a sincere effort to avoid the need for federal civil rights lawsuit.

Dear Lieutenant Wilske:

I am writing this letter as a member of Old Paths Baptist Church (“”OPBC”) in Northfield Minnesota. I am in the process of moving to Faribault, Minnesota from Austin Texas where I practice law.

You and I have talked about this matter. As you know, I am addressing this matter in advance to avoid the eventuality that your peace officers have not been properly educated in dealing with situations where citizens are exercising their right to freedom of speech as guaranteed by the United States Constitution, the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and by the Minneapolis Charter and City Ordinances. You may have already educated your peace officers since our discussions began; but, as I have pointed out and provided to you the link to the online video of the incident, at least one of your officers has violated the civil rights of the peaceful speech activities of the men of OPBC street preaching ministry.

Some members of OPBC will, from time to time, be exercising their First Amendment speech rights in Dinkeytown, as they have done in the past. In their past activity, the police officer did not understand the law and therefore violated the rights of the street preachers. As I have pointed out to you, the federal courts, all the way to the top, have for a long time laid out the law in these matters. Now, a case which is precisely on point was just handed down by the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. You can go to the following article for all the details of concerning this matter, including a link to the video of the offending officer in action, as well as a link to the opinion in the October 28, 2015 Sixth Circuit case.

On October 28, 2015, the U.S. Sixth Circuit restated and strengthened First Amendment protection of speech in the public forum in a case where “Bible Believers” involved in street preaching to Muslims displayed a pigs head, amongst other direct speech. The Sixth Circuit stressed that the First Amendment “envelops all manner of speech, even when that speech is loathsome in its intolerance, designed to cause offense, and, as a result of such offense, arouses violent retaliation.” Attorney Robert Muise of the American Freedom Law Center, who argued the case on behalf of the Bible Believers, applauded the decision, saying it was  “solidly on the side of free speech.” “If this went the other way, it would incentivize  violence as a legitimate response to free speech, and that is wrong in our country,” Muise said.  “Any freedom-loving American enjoys protections of the First Amendment.”The Sixth Circuit said, “(The ruling)  affirms the rule of law that when a violent mob is responding violently to protected speech, the police’s duty is to protect the speaker and not join that mob that is intent in suppressing the speech,” Muise said. “Today, the First Amendment was the victor.” Click here to go directly to the opinion. Article: Anti-Muslim Slurs Get Legal Protection (102915).

 The defendants in the above mentioned case were: WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN; BENNY N. NAPOLEON, in his official capacity as Sheriff, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office; DENNIS RICHARDSON, individually and in his official capacity as Deputy Chief, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office; MIKE JAAFAR, individually and in his official capacity as Deputy Chief, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

The case now goes back to a federal judge in Detroit, who will decide what damages the “Bible Believers” are entitled to.

That case should make clear the duty of peace officers in America to protect the speaker and the speech in the public forum. As well, the case points out the limits of the speech activity and actions of the speakers and much more.

As we have discussed before the above mentioned ruling, speech in the public forum is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Constitution of the state of Minnesota, and by your City Code. The people of Old Paths Baptist Church were well aware of what the Supreme Court has ruled concerning speech in the public forum. For example, on the “Separation of Church and State Law” website you will find the tract Street Preaching in America – Is it Legal? (https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/b-messages-from-pastor/street-preaching/tract-street-preaching-in-america-is-it-legal/ ). Some of the members, especially the leaders, have copies of and have studied that tract and other materials. I believe you may find the tract useful in that it covers the hierarchy of the relevant law from the highest to the lowest. For that tract, the lowest law was the Northfield, Minnesota Code of City Ordinances and Charter.

The members of the OPBC street preaching ministry (and all the members) have now been forwarded the links to the above mentioned Sixth Circuit case and a brief summary of it. The case is linked to in several places on the “Separation of Church and State Law” website; e.g. see . https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/b-messages-from-pastor/street-preaching/december-25-2013-an-unfolding-street-preaching-battle-in-northfield-minnesota/.

I discussed this with Pastor Jason Cooley. He tried to call you, but you were unavailable. After several attempts, he told me to take care of it since he is very busy with several projects (preachers 3 times a week, does 2 online broadcasts each week, street preaches, has family responsibilities, etc.).

Accordingly, in order to attempt to prevent the necessity of Civil Rights suit in federal court, I am sending this notification to you and other city officials given in the heading. The law makes clear that it is the job of peace officers to protect public speakers engaged in First Amendment protected activities and their speech. Should another police officer behave as did the officer in the video, the only remedy will be costly (to the defendants, including the taxpayers of the county, the officers involved, and the officials who should have educated and supervised those officers or who should have made sure that the officers were properly educated and supervised). The men of the OPBC Street Preaching Ministry sincerely hope that court action not be called for since they would rather spend their time communicating the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ instead of fighting a battle which has already been fought and won.

I am sure that City Attorney is aware of the law in these matters. I would also hope that Chief of Police and other law enforcement personnel are as well. My concern is that all of the officials of the city as well as all law enforcement personnel and especially those who will be working the in Dinkeytown know the law and are prepared to enforce it. Their job is to protect all citizens, including those citizens involved in protected speech. They cannot properly do their job without knowing the law.

The men of OPBC have already had to confront other cities and towns for violation of the First Amendment. You may find some of their triumphant trials and tribulations as well as the latest law at:

https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/b-messages-from-pastor/street-preaching/december-25-2013-an-unfolding-street-preaching-battle-in-northfield-minnesota/

 https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/b-messages-from-pastor/street-preaching/

So far, every city and town where a problem has arisen concerning the public speech by the men of OPBC has now educated their law enforcement personnel and no lawsuit has been necessary. Here in Austin, Texas, peace officers are well educated in the law. I was involved in a street preaching ministry here for 19 years and the police always protected us because they have been educated in the relevant law since all kinds of activists regularly communicate (speech, signs, symbols, tracts, etc.) in the public forum. They protected us and informed disruptive citizens of the law of free speech in America. On one occasion, a man who assaulted me was detained by the police. He lied and said I assaulted him. The police told me what he said but also said that they saw the whole thing and said I could file charges. I told them that I did not wish to do so. I could tell you numerous other stories of the great job the police in Austin, Texas do in upholding the law and protecting those who speak in the public forum.

The men of OPBC always endeavor to settle matters peaceably and according to the law. They do not wish to try to respectfully educate peace officers (sometimes very rude and obnoxious peace officers – see some of the encounters linked to on the website pages above) who are not acting according to the law. They do not wish to spend time in filing and executing lawsuits against offending officials (individual peace officers, county and city attorneys, mayors, city council members, and the cities in general) for matters which are well settled in the law. They have no desire to cost those people and the tax paying citizens unnecessary expense. I am sure you would rather use the city taxpayer money for other matters. Even more important, I am sure you wish to properly honor the law and to protect innocent persons who are peaceably exercising their rights under that law. In the event a lawsuit is necessary, OPBC has already contacted lawyers who will be ready and able to go to court in Minnesota.

Several cameras will be in use by the people of OPBC so that should false charges or accusations be made, or should lawsuit(s) be necessary, the facts will be protected from lies or misunderstandings.

Please educate your police officers and other city officials who may be involved all over the city of Minneapolis, and especially the Dinkeytown area, as to law concerning speech in the public forum in America. OPBC desires to have a good working relationship with the officials and all citizens of Anoka.

Again, on the above webpages, you will find other legal resources, positive and negative encounters with police officers linked to on Youtube, etc. which may help you as you look at this matter.

This letter is being posted on the website at: https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/2015/10/30/letter-to-appropriate-officials-concerning-speech-in-the-public-forum-in-dinkeytown-by-opbc/

The article which covers this entire episode is at: https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/2015/10/30/opbc-street-preachers-actions-against-university-of-minnesota-peace-officer-who-acted-unlawfully/

Very truly yours,

Jerald C. Finney
Jcf