The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. (Genesis 49:10)

The Cornerstone Challenge

A statement on the primacy of the Lord Jesus, and its implications for the relationship of Church and State.

Article I: The reign of Christ over all things

We affirm the plain teaching of Scripture that:

1. The Lord Jesus is presently reigning from the right hand of God as head over all things. He has been given all dominion, power, and authority in both heaven and on earth, so that all things are, by right, under his feet.

   Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20–22; 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Philippians 2:9; Colossians 2:10; 1 Peter 3:22

2. The nations of the earth are included in “all things.” Thus, Jesus is “the ruler of the kings of the earth,” and the rightful head of all nations. These nations are therefore duty-bound to recognize, establish, and promote his reign, serving as his disciples.

   Revelation 1:5; 12:5; Psalm 2:7–12; 24:1; 72:11; 82:8; 89:27–29; Isaiah 49:22–23; Daniel 2:44; 7:13–14; Acts 17:30; Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–14

3. The Church, as Christ’s body, is the instrument by which he advances his rule. He is pleased to use the ministry of the word and sacraments, via local assemblies of his Church, to increase the recognition, establishment, and promotion of his reign. For this very reason he commands, as our Great Commission, that we make the nations into disciples, instructing them in his law and training them in righteousness.

   Matthew 28:18–20; Daniel 7:27; Isaiah 2:2–4; 60:1–2, 11–12, 15–16; Zechariah 14:8–9; 1 Timothy 3:15; Revelation 21:2, 9–10, 24–25

4. Christ has equipped us for this Great Commission by the provision of his Holy Scripture and Spirit. The Bible is sufficient and profitable for training in righteousness unto every good work, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Church is therefore authorized and empowered by Christ to judge and instruct on any issue of good or evil, whether ecclesiastical, domestic, or civil.

   2 Timothy 3:16–17; Deuteronomy 4:5–8; Romans 7:12; Psalm 19:7–11; Proverbs 1:7; 1 Corinthians 6:1–8

Article II: The relationship of Church and State

We affirm the plain teaching of Scripture that:

1. God has appointed to the State (represented by magistrates: rulers, officials, judges, police) the ministry of the sword. The duty of this ministry is to act as Christ’s servant, in his stead, to administer his justice by upholding good and punishing evil. The Church therefore must recognize the State’s authority as Christ’s servant.

   Romans 13:1–7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13–14; Proverbs 16:12; 25:5; 2 Chronicles 34:1–7, 19–21, 31–33; Isaiah 49:23

2. God has appointed to the Church (represented by local assemblies) the ministry of the word. The duty of this ministry is to act as Christ’s servant, in his stead, to administer his righteousness by instructing all men in the knowledge of good and evil. The State therefore must recognize the Church’s authority as Christ’s servant.

   Acts 6:4; 24:24–25; 26:27–29; Deuteronomy 17:14–20; 2 Chronicles 34:1–7, 19–21, 31–33; Nehemiah 13:10–31; Jonah 3:6–10; Ezra 1:2–4; 6:1–12; 7:12–28; Daniel 3:28–4:3; 4:34–37; 6:25–28; Ezekiel 28:2; Amos 1:3–2:3; 1 Timothy 2:1–4

Article III: General principles of application

In light of these truths, we challenge all believers that:

1. The Church is required by God to instruct the State in good and evil. This instruction should be in word and in deed. In word, she should seek every opportunity to make known to her magistrates what Christ requires of them. In deed, she should model for them true obedience to Christ, by submitting to them when they are acting faithfully as his ministers, enforcing justice; and by resisting them when they are acting as ministers of lawlessness against his reign.

2. The State is required by God to receive the instruction of the Church. Magistrates should seek and apply the instruction of the Church when she is acting faithfully as Christ’s minister, teaching his law. They should ignore it when she is instead mishandling his word.

3. The separation of Church and State does not imply the separation of the State and God’s law. The authority of Jesus over every nation is an inescapably political fact. (In New Zealand, it is even embedded into our national anthem.) Although the Church does not have authority to administer civil affairs, Jesus does, and so the Church, as his body on earth, is obligated to represent him in civil affairs. When she withdraws from the public square, she does not cease to instruct the State, but rather instructs it in deed that there is no higher God above it. In doing this, she rejects the Great Commission, speaks fraudulently on behalf of her Lord, and places another authority over him. Inasmuch as the Church has done this, she is guilty of desertion, blasphemy and idolatry which facilitates state-worship—resulting in the very tyranny under which we now live.

Sign this challenge statement

If you agree with the Cornerstone Challenge, we invite you to publicly affirm it by becoming a signatory. When you do, your name will be added to the list of signatories beneath this form.

Signatories