Concord Baptist Church
Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ, as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
For the Advance of This Church
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines
As Christian Stewards
To contribute cheerfully and regularly in the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
Alone and at Home
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to educate our children religiously; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.
Before the World
To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealing; faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of illicit drugs and the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; and to be zealous in our effort to advance the Kingdom of our Saviour.
Toward One Another
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense; but always ready for reconciliation and, mindful of the rules of our Saviour, to secure it without delay.
When We Move
We moreover engage that when we move from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's work.
Articles of Faith
I. The Scriptures
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. We believe that the King James Bible is the complete preserved Word of God for the English speaking world.
Luke 16:29-31; Eph 2:19-22; Matt 22:29-32; John 1:45; II Tim 3:14-17; Heb 1:1; II Peter 1:19-21; Psalms 19:7-11; Psalms 119:1-9,105.
II. God
There is but one God, The Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of himself all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
Gen 1:1; Ex 3:14; Deut 5:6-7, Deut 6:4-5; Isa 48:12-13; Jer 10:10; Matt 28:19; John 1:14-18; John 5:26; Gal 4:4-6, I Tim 1:17; I Cor 8:4-6; Heb 11:6
III. Trinity
God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
Gen 1:1; Ex 3:14; Deut 5:6-7; and same as above.
IV. Providence
God from eternity decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin not to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.
I Peter 5:7; Phil 4:6-7; Rom 8:28-29; Matt 6:26; Matt 10:29
V. The Fall of Man
God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin, but through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.
Rom 3:21; Gen 1:27; Gen 2:7; gen 3:4-7; Gen 3:22-24; Psalms 51:5; John 1:23; Rom 1:23; Rom 5:12-13; Rom 7:23-25; Col 1:21
VI. The Mediator
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever liveth to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.
Heb 7:25; Rom 8:34, John 14:9; I John 2:1; Heb 9:24; Heb 5:1; Heb 4:14; I John 2:10; Rom 5:10
VII. Regeneration
Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who quickeneth the dead in trespasses and sins, enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature; so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God's free and special grace alone.
John 1:12-13; John 3:1-8; Rom 8:1-3; II Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 2:1-10; Col 3:1-11; Titus 3:3-7; Eph 4:30
VIII. Repentance
Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbleth himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk with God so as to please Him in all things.
Mark 1:14-15; Mark 6:12; Luke 13:1-5; John 16:8-11; Acts 19; Acts 17:30; Acts 20;20-21; Rom 3:25-31; Acts 2:38
IX. Faith
Saving faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness.
Mark 1:14-15; Mark 6:12; and same as above for Repentance
X. Justification
Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by Faith.
Rom 3:21-26; Rom 5:12; Rom 8:30; I Cor 1:30-31; II Cor 5:21
XI. Sanctification
Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God's word and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands.
John 17:15-17; Acts 20:32; Rom 6:3-7; Rom 7:17-28; II Cor 3:18; Gal 5:16-26
XII Perseverance of the Saints
All real believers endure to the end. Their continuance in well-doing is the mark which distinguishes them from mere professors. A special Providence cares for them, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation.
Matt 26:70:75; John 10:27-31; Rom 5:8-10; Rom 8:28-39; Rom 9:16; I Cor 11:32; Eph 4:30
XIII. The Church
A church of Christ is a congregation of Baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the end of the earth. Its scriptural officers are Bishops, or Elders, and Deacons.
Matt 16:18; Matt 18:15-18; Acts 2:41-47; Acts 14:21-24; I Cor 1:2; I Cor 9:6; I Cor 9:14; I Tim 3:1-13
XIV. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The act is a symbol of our faith in a crucified, buried and risen Saviour. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the use of bread and wine (fruit of the vine) commemorate the dying love of Christ.
Matt 3:13-17; Matt 28:19-20; I Cor 10:16-17; I Cor 11:23-26; Rom 6:3-5
XV. The Lord's Day
The Lord's day is a Christian Institution for regular observance, and should be employed in exercise of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, resting from worldly employment and amusement, works of necessity and mercy only accepted.
Matt 22:17-21; Mark 12:13-17; Rom 13:1-7; I Tim 2:1-4; I Peter 2:17
XVI. The Resurrection
The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God - the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust will be raised.
Matt 28:6; John 5:28-29; John 14:1-3; John 20:1-29; I Thess 4:13-17; Rev 20:12-15
XVII. The Judgment
God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when everyone shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life.
Acts 17:31; Rom 2:16; II Cor 5:10; Heb 9:27; II Peter 3:10
XVIII. The Family
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man by birth and one woman by birth in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.
The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.
Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
Gen 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Ex 20:12; Deut 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; I Sam 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127: 128; 139;13-16; Prov 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Eccl 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matt 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Rom 1:18-32; I Cor 7:1-16; Eph 5:21-33; 6:14; Col 3:18-21; I Tim 5:8, 14; 2 Tim 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Heb 13:4; I Peter 3:1-7
XIX. Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, transgender and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God rejects any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance
We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the Church. The husband is to be the leader of the home and men are to be the leaders (Pastors and Deacons) of the Church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the Church.
Gen 2:24; 19:5, 13; 26:8-9; Lev 18:1-30; Rom 1:26-29; Rom 7:2; I Cor 5:1, 6-9; I Cor 7:10; Gal 3:28; Eph 5:22-23; Col 3:18; I Thess 4:1-8; I Tim 2:8-15; 3:4-5; Heb 13:4
Some Beliefs We Cherish
1. We believe that Bible is God's Word to man and that it is the only sufficient authority as the rule of doctrine and practice. We further hold that the Authorized King James Version of the Bible is God's preserved Word for the English speaking world.
2. We believe in a regenerate church membership and that the conversion experience is a prerequisite to church membership.
3. In the New Testament the candidate was taken to the water, not the water brought to the candidate; the candidate was placed in the water, not the water put on the candidate; so we believe in immersion only as answering Christ's command of baptism and symbolizing the heart of the Gospel message - Christ's death, burial and resurrection.
4. We believe in the New Testament order of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. New Testament Christians were baptized before taking of the Lord's Supper.
5. We believe in the right of each member of the church, 18 years of age and older, to vote in its government, plans and discipline. A Baptist church is a true democracy at work.
6. We believe in the freedom of the individual conscience; in the voluntary principle, not the coercive principle, in religion.
7. We believe in the total independence and separation of church and state.
Having been led, as we believe, by the spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ, as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
For the Advance of This Church
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines
As Christian Stewards
To contribute cheerfully and regularly in the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
Alone and at Home
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to educate our children religiously; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.
Before the World
To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealing; faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of illicit drugs and the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; and to be zealous in our effort to advance the Kingdom of our Saviour.
Toward One Another
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense; but always ready for reconciliation and, mindful of the rules of our Saviour, to secure it without delay.
When We Move
We moreover engage that when we move from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's work.
Articles of Faith
I. The Scriptures
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. We believe that the King James Bible is the complete preserved Word of God for the English speaking world.
Luke 16:29-31; Eph 2:19-22; Matt 22:29-32; John 1:45; II Tim 3:14-17; Heb 1:1; II Peter 1:19-21; Psalms 19:7-11; Psalms 119:1-9,105.
II. God
There is but one God, The Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of himself all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
Gen 1:1; Ex 3:14; Deut 5:6-7, Deut 6:4-5; Isa 48:12-13; Jer 10:10; Matt 28:19; John 1:14-18; John 5:26; Gal 4:4-6, I Tim 1:17; I Cor 8:4-6; Heb 11:6
III. Trinity
God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
Gen 1:1; Ex 3:14; Deut 5:6-7; and same as above.
IV. Providence
God from eternity decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin not to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.
I Peter 5:7; Phil 4:6-7; Rom 8:28-29; Matt 6:26; Matt 10:29
V. The Fall of Man
God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin, but through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.
Rom 3:21; Gen 1:27; Gen 2:7; gen 3:4-7; Gen 3:22-24; Psalms 51:5; John 1:23; Rom 1:23; Rom 5:12-13; Rom 7:23-25; Col 1:21
VI. The Mediator
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever liveth to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.
Heb 7:25; Rom 8:34, John 14:9; I John 2:1; Heb 9:24; Heb 5:1; Heb 4:14; I John 2:10; Rom 5:10
VII. Regeneration
Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who quickeneth the dead in trespasses and sins, enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature; so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God's free and special grace alone.
John 1:12-13; John 3:1-8; Rom 8:1-3; II Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 2:1-10; Col 3:1-11; Titus 3:3-7; Eph 4:30
VIII. Repentance
Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbleth himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk with God so as to please Him in all things.
Mark 1:14-15; Mark 6:12; Luke 13:1-5; John 16:8-11; Acts 19; Acts 17:30; Acts 20;20-21; Rom 3:25-31; Acts 2:38
IX. Faith
Saving faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness.
Mark 1:14-15; Mark 6:12; and same as above for Repentance
X. Justification
Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by Faith.
Rom 3:21-26; Rom 5:12; Rom 8:30; I Cor 1:30-31; II Cor 5:21
XI. Sanctification
Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God's word and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands.
John 17:15-17; Acts 20:32; Rom 6:3-7; Rom 7:17-28; II Cor 3:18; Gal 5:16-26
XII Perseverance of the Saints
All real believers endure to the end. Their continuance in well-doing is the mark which distinguishes them from mere professors. A special Providence cares for them, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation.
Matt 26:70:75; John 10:27-31; Rom 5:8-10; Rom 8:28-39; Rom 9:16; I Cor 11:32; Eph 4:30
XIII. The Church
A church of Christ is a congregation of Baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the end of the earth. Its scriptural officers are Bishops, or Elders, and Deacons.
Matt 16:18; Matt 18:15-18; Acts 2:41-47; Acts 14:21-24; I Cor 1:2; I Cor 9:6; I Cor 9:14; I Tim 3:1-13
XIV. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The act is a symbol of our faith in a crucified, buried and risen Saviour. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the use of bread and wine (fruit of the vine) commemorate the dying love of Christ.
Matt 3:13-17; Matt 28:19-20; I Cor 10:16-17; I Cor 11:23-26; Rom 6:3-5
XV. The Lord's Day
The Lord's day is a Christian Institution for regular observance, and should be employed in exercise of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, resting from worldly employment and amusement, works of necessity and mercy only accepted.
Matt 22:17-21; Mark 12:13-17; Rom 13:1-7; I Tim 2:1-4; I Peter 2:17
XVI. The Resurrection
The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God - the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust will be raised.
Matt 28:6; John 5:28-29; John 14:1-3; John 20:1-29; I Thess 4:13-17; Rev 20:12-15
XVII. The Judgment
God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when everyone shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life.
Acts 17:31; Rom 2:16; II Cor 5:10; Heb 9:27; II Peter 3:10
XVIII. The Family
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man by birth and one woman by birth in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.
The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.
Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
Gen 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Ex 20:12; Deut 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; I Sam 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127: 128; 139;13-16; Prov 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Eccl 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matt 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Rom 1:18-32; I Cor 7:1-16; Eph 5:21-33; 6:14; Col 3:18-21; I Tim 5:8, 14; 2 Tim 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Heb 13:4; I Peter 3:1-7
XIX. Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, transgender and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God rejects any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance
We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the Church. The husband is to be the leader of the home and men are to be the leaders (Pastors and Deacons) of the Church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the Church.
Gen 2:24; 19:5, 13; 26:8-9; Lev 18:1-30; Rom 1:26-29; Rom 7:2; I Cor 5:1, 6-9; I Cor 7:10; Gal 3:28; Eph 5:22-23; Col 3:18; I Thess 4:1-8; I Tim 2:8-15; 3:4-5; Heb 13:4
Some Beliefs We Cherish
1. We believe that Bible is God's Word to man and that it is the only sufficient authority as the rule of doctrine and practice. We further hold that the Authorized King James Version of the Bible is God's preserved Word for the English speaking world.
2. We believe in a regenerate church membership and that the conversion experience is a prerequisite to church membership.
3. In the New Testament the candidate was taken to the water, not the water brought to the candidate; the candidate was placed in the water, not the water put on the candidate; so we believe in immersion only as answering Christ's command of baptism and symbolizing the heart of the Gospel message - Christ's death, burial and resurrection.
4. We believe in the New Testament order of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. New Testament Christians were baptized before taking of the Lord's Supper.
5. We believe in the right of each member of the church, 18 years of age and older, to vote in its government, plans and discipline. A Baptist church is a true democracy at work.
6. We believe in the freedom of the individual conscience; in the voluntary principle, not the coercive principle, in religion.
7. We believe in the total independence and separation of church and state.