Church/State Relationship
Principles and Application
Welcome
“Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” (Proverbs 22:20-21)
Ministry Answers to Questions and Comments
- Questions and Answers on Various Topics (Starting 070118)
- Answers to Letters and Questions from Pastors and Others (Before 070118)
Archived Newsletters and Announcements
Resources linked to on this page explain the Bible principles for church organization and the application of those principles, especially in the American landscape.
This website is produced by Jerald Finney, a born-gain believer and a lawyer. As an introduction to Finney, here is a teaching at a conference in 2018. Is an Incorporated 501(c)3 Church a Church of Christ?
This “Simply Church” Ministry is a Legacy of Dr. Greg Dixon
Click to go to post of dedication
They Stood – 1979-1984 – Brother Lester Roloff: What happened to the Fundamental Baptist movement? What happened to Jack Hyles, the Christian law association and David Gibbs? Why did they turn their back on truth about the Doctrines of Authority and Church? Because they, except for a small remnant, no longer understood the essentials, the New Testament Doctrine of Authority and the Doctrine of the Church. They turned to man’s methods and reasoning instead of to the Bible. What about you and your church? Do you understand and practice what the Bible says about these and other related matters?
I was there during the time of the Roloff fight. The church I was a member of fought the state over the same issue–operation of a boy’s home by a church in Texas. For more on this see the Preface to God Betrayed (link to PDF).
According to God’s Word, the love for God and man and the glory of God are to be the motivation and goal of a believer in Christ and a church for all that they do, including their choice of church organization and conduct. For a more thorough look at this, click here. For more on the love relationship between Christ and his churches, click Christ and His Local Visible Churches: A Love Relationship.
Should you wish to discuss any matter with this ministry, please click Need Help?
Ministry Answers to Questions and Comments
- Questions and Answers on Various Topics (Starting 070118)
- Answers to Letters and Questions from Pastors and Others (Before 070118)
Archived Newsletters and Announcements
Miscellaneous:
Lord Jesus Christ, I love you. I want to love you more:
Here is Love Vast as the Ocean
The Rose of Sharon
Sermon
When Did the Church Become a Business? a song by Jason Bellard
Be blessed: Click here to hear
Wondrous Love
The Question that Changed My Life
by David Ryser
“A number of years ago, I had the privilege of teaching at a school of ministry. My students were hungry for God, and I was constantly searching for ways to challenge them to fall more in love with Jesus and to become voices for revival in the Church. I came across a quote attributed most often to Rev. Sam Pascoe. It is a short version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like this:
“‘Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece and became a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved to Europe and became a culture; it came to America and became an enterprise.’
“Some of the students were only 18 or 19 years old–barely out of diapers–and I wanted them to understand and appreciate the import of the last line, so I clarified it by adding, ‘An enterprise. That’s a business.’ After a few moments Martha, the youngest student in the class, raised her hand. I could not imagine what her question might be. I thought the little vignette was self-explanatory, and that I had performed it brilliantly. Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha’s raised hand, ‘Yes, Martha.’ She asked such a simple question, ‘A business? But isn’t it supposed to be a body?’ I could not envision where this line of questioning was going, and the only response I could think of was, ‘Yes.’ She continued, ‘But when a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?’ …”
Click “THE QUESTION that CHANGED MY LIFE” to read the remainder of the article.
- END TIME CHURCH: The Great Falling Away || David Wilkerson & Paul Washer (The Great Falling Away, we are definitely witnessing bible prophesy being unfolded and fulfilled right before our eyes. Beware of the false pastors, prophets, apostles, and or spiritual masters of this age. The Bible clearly states they will come like ravenous wolves deceiving the sheep after their own lusts and desires. For more on the unfolding apostasy, go to The Biblical Doctrine of the Church.)
- We Have Underestimated Satan: A Urgent Warning To All Churches of This Earth (Great sermon dealing with spirit of drunkenness, barking like dogs, holy laughter, baptism of fire, church growth churches, etc. all from Satan.)
- A Call to Anguish
- Doing God’s Work God’s Way: A Bible Call To Preach Outside The Typical American Church Explained (051915)
- David Wilkerson- Last Days Deception. If Your Church Is Not Preaching All The Bible & Repentance Run
- Satan’s Top 10 World’s Largest Churches! Who??? | Dr. Kim
- The Rose of Sharon (Transcript of a sermon depicting the love relationship between Christ and His local visible church, emphasizing the importance of organization under Christ only as opposed to corporate 501c3 or 508 status or legal status of any kind.
- TOP FOUR DEMON PASTORS. Who??? | Dr. Kim (I deal with Rick Warren & other demon pastors in the above chapters of God Betrayed.)
- Top 10 Women DEVIL Pastors! Who??? | Dr. Kim
JERALD C. FINNEY
BAB, HB, BBA, JD
801 Elgin St.
Amarillo, TX 79118
Phone : (512) 785-8445
E-MAIL: jeraldfinney157@gmail.com
Simply Church 
I think my church is a 501c3 incorporation I want to help my church out of this. I’m a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ that regularly attends this “church” with a sincere local body of believers but I’m not a member of it because I don’t believe membership is biblical. What can I do to help this process if my preacher is willing to repent of this? And can I help start the “church” moving into the right direction?
Give me a call. My phone number is 512-785-8445. If you don’t get me, leave a voicemail and I will return your call asap.
good thoughts
Bless you! I have had deep prophetic convictions of this for a long time… And the quote of “making the church in business a whore”, was exactly what I heard…
Pay Caesar what is Caesars… Well, after giving out whole heart, mind and soul to God as commanded…What is left for Caesar???
I have some Prophecies yet to be released… It is concerning “the angel of light” and Revelations 11:18…our current end-times… I pray your protection. Thank you for speaking Christs heart… In His Holy Eternal Love…
– Clay InThePottersHands
If one establishes a church entity using a Church Establisment Affidavit, which makes the church a separate entity free and standing alone. How then can the administration of banking and managing of the business affairs of the church accomplished without the 508 c 1a? Please advise, as it is my desire and goal to be established only under the law of the kingdom.
You have a great desire. As you may know, desire does not determine spiritual and earthly reality. The only Church Establishment Affidavit I have seen was deeply flawed. It did not make the church a separate entity free and standing alone. I have examined that Affidavit at: https://jeraldfinney.wordpress.com/2015/02/05/chapter-2-analysis-of-church-establishment-affidavit/ The proponent of that Affidavit is misleading people and churches and does not know what he is talking about. I explain, in my writings, how a church can organize as a spiritual entity only, under God only according to the New Testament doctrine of the church and as protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. I explain church incorporation (sole and aggregate), church 501c3 and 508 status, the history of the First Amendment, etc. For an examination of the use of the corporation sole by churches, see https://jeraldfinney.wordpress.com/2015/01/31/introduction/. One needs to understand what he is doing in order to please God. The Word of God commands God’s children to proceed with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. In order to answer your question fully, I need to know all the facts. I need to examine your “Church Establishment Affidavit” and any other church organizational papers. 508 status puts a church in the same position she would be in had she claimed 501c3 status. If you will read and study my writings and teachings, you will find the answers to your questions. I suggest that, before reading what I have to say, do in depth studies of the Word of God. That will lead one to salvation first (if he is not saved), and then to an understanding of the deeper things of God. 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” For more on this, see my written studies on one’s responsibilities as a believer after salvation at https://jeraldfinney.wordpress.com/gods-plan-of-salvation/after-salvation/. My written comments, which are supported by cited Scripture taken in context, follow all the introductory material on that page.
The links supplied in the above article are broken. Can they be repaired or redirected? Looks like interesting articles. Thanks!
I tried all the links and they all worked. I assume you were referring to the “Welcome” page.
Aloha Mr. Finney, i am overwhelmed by your website. Is there a shortcut to find out if there is a non 501C3 church here in Hawaii [island of Oahu]? Mahalo
I do not know of such a church in Hawaii. Maybe the Lord will call someone to plant such a church there. God bless. Feel free to have me a call. 512-785-8445.
If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s an unincorporated association duck trying to hide behind a Trust. It will be treated at law the same as a corporation.
You forgot the whole cliche which is: “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.” The test implies that a person can identify an unknown subject by observing that subject’s habitual characteristics. Of course, the common law trust can never be a legal entity such as an unincorporated association, corporation, or 501(c)(3) 0r 508(c)(1)(A) tax exempt organization. See, “Study Lessons, Bible (Common Law) Trust” page on the website for understanding of the common law trust. However, a church which declares such a trust with the intent of remaining under Christ only can misstep and set herself up as an unincorporated association by acting as a legal entity. She can act like a legal organization by opening a bank account, purchasing real estate, entering into a contract, having employees, paying salaries, executing a constitution and/or by laws, etc. Thus, the church who declares the common law trust, a relationship with property only, must be careful not to act legally, thereby setting herself up as unincorporated association by walking like a duck and quacking like a duck. This is explained in the lesson, “Lesson 1: The basics of the Bible Trust and how a Church which has established a Bible trust can become a legal entity thereby nullifying status of the church as a spiritual body under Christ and Christ alone (July 21, 2021).” The church must be careful not to act legally or she becomes a legal entity.
I hope you are not trying to act as a teacher on these matters in any public forum so as to mislead truth seeking churches and believers. You obviously are not studied in these matters. I say that in love. The example of Christ, the apostles, and true Christians is to speak the truth, no matter what. The correct response from a believer who has been shown to be an heretic is to humbly and contritely repent. I submit that you have a lot of studying and repenting to do should you wish to please and glorify God in your understanding of church organization according to New Testament doctrine.
First of all thanks for making this website i just stumbled across it when i was looking for instructions to start a 508c1a and I agree with you 100% that a common law trust is the way to go instead of 501c3 or 508c1a. You have really put a ton of work and information into it this site.
I have a couple of questions to ask please forgive me if you covered them I haven’t read everything on here yet I just found your site a few hrs ago.
Corinthians says your body is a temple and that God and the holy spirit is within you and that you were bought with a price and that your body is Gods.
My first question is can we put our body under the common law trust/CUCM Bible Trust so that we can also be non subjects to the Feds or the State laws and only be subject to Gods laws and common law?
Also Id like to start my non-taxable body/temple/church and I dont have any property accept for a car to put into the trust I haven’t started a ministry yet but would like to just set it up so my car is in the trust and would like to have a bank account for my job to write non-taxable checks to the trust instead of to my legal NAME and then when Im able to buy property or anything else I could put in the name of the ministry and just write amendments to the appendix right?
Also do you help ppl like me? I see you helped churches that already have 501c3 or 508c1a established.. I just have a mark of the beast (SSN) and I want to stop using it and if I have a good trust like this I can finally do a revocation of election and start living free instead of a free range prisoner/chattle/property of the government. After all my body is a church and i want to get away from Washington DC 14th amendment citizenship/slavery.
You have some good questions, but it would take a book to answer them. I suggest that you read “God Betrayed.” That will give you some Bible teachings and principles on goverment (self-government, family government, civil government, and church government), God’s desired relationship between the individual, family and state; and between church and state. It also applies Bible principle to the American landscape. Go to the following for info on how to get the book (which is also in free downloadable PDF): https://jeraldfinney.com/god-betrayed/order-information/.