Originally posted by kevinlee123in some countries for example Russia you need to be a registered religion in order to carry out services and stuff, otherwise you may face legal challenges and the authorities can arrest you and confiscate or close down your premises. Paul speaks of legally establishing the good news.
Any thoughts from you guys?
2 edits
Originally posted by kevinlee123And yet we are also counselled to be submissive to the secular authorities. Anyone who takes a stance against them has taken a stance against the arrangement of God, Romans chapter 13. Therefore whether you deem the church to belong to the state or to God you are still under duress to obey the law of the land and if that law determines that you need to register your church then in order to comply with the admonition of Romans chapter 13, one needs to do that.
Some people people disapprove this by quoting Matthew 22:21 ...render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They assert that the church doesn't belong to the world, but to God.
Do you have any thing to say in detailed?
Originally posted by kevinlee123I don't think it is mandatory from any biblical perspective. The community of a congregation may want to have certain tax status. And in that realm the government may require such entities to be registered with certain regulatory commissions.
Is it right or biblical that a church should be registered with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)?
Then they should comply.
There is nothing biblical insisting that a congregation seek such tax benefits, I don't think.
Doesn't this depend upon the circumstances of various countries as to their laws?
