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To: Keyes2000mt
Actually, both Acts and Romans make it pretty clear that the "community" of the church is totally different from whatever happens in the secular world or the state, and that what governs one does not necessarily govern the other. Paul said that the governmental authorities were established by God. That certainly doesn't mean every GOVERNMENT is established by God, only that the concept is, and that we must work to make sure that our governments line up with His principles. Moreover, the "communal" aspects of Acts are always misunderstood: 1) they were VOLUNTARY; 2) the people voluntarily gave to the CHURCH FATHERS, not to the government; 3) at no time, no where, does Paul or anyone else say of this arrangement, "Thus saith the Lord." No, it was a one-time thing (that, apparently, failed, as we see almost immediately that they are having problems taking care of the needs of some in the church).

People are free to engage in any economic and political sturctures they please, the the Word does not sanction theft in the name of the state, nor does it promise that "just any" economic or political arrangements will work.

5 posted on 12/18/2004 4:52:30 PM PST by LS
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To: LS
That certainly doesn't mean every GOVERNMENT is established by God

Don't be so certain.

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.

78 posted on 12/18/2004 8:43:10 PM PST by Theophilus (Save Little Democrats, Stop Abortion)
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