“And he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:20-21 NIV)
In a tense encounter during His final week, Jesus is asked a question meant to trap Him between political loyalty and devotion to God. His response not only exposes the motives of His challengers but also establishes a principle that continues to shape how we understand authority, responsibility, and ultimate allegiance.
Jesus’ words speak directly to the relationship between faith and government—an issue addressed clearly in the Baptist Faith and Message, which affirms both religious liberty and the distinct roles of church and state. While many are alert to the dangers of government overreach, Scripture also calls us to consider the importance of the church remaining faithful to its spiritual mission without overstepping its bounds
Rev. Josh Dickinson
