[Mrs. Don-o]

Thank you for this verse, Daniel1212, it is most apropos.

My earlier point was that the Bible does not make such a total separation between secular and church authorities, as 21s century Americans tend to suppose. Prophets, priests and kings are all anointed; authority itself, per se, pertains to God; and the "powers that be"" are ordained of God, as St. Paul says.

[daniel1212]

Prophets, priests and kings are all anointed; authority itself, per se, pertains to God; and the "powers that be"" are ordained of God, as St. Paul says.

True, except that NT pastors are nowhere ordained as a distinctive sacerdotal class of believers titled "priests." See above post.

[metmom]

My earlier point was that the Bible does not make such a total separation between secular and church authorities, as 21s century Americans tend to suppose. Prophets, priests and kings are all anointed; authority itself, per se, pertains to God; and the "powers that be"" are ordained of God, as St. Paul says.

*Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which is God's*.

And Paul tells us in Romans 13 to be subject to governing authorities and makes no mention of the church.

You are aware of who the governing authority was in Paul's day?

Additionally, there is no provision in any of the NT writings for church leadership to be secular leadership.