Why Support Christian Schools

1. Why Support Christian Schools Berean Baptist Church, Rohnert Park, CA Pastor Mark Smith

2. Psalm 71:18 • Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

3. Truths Rarely Taught Today • The truths that you are about to see are rarely taught today, except in some Churches and Christian Schools. • Thank God for those supporting and those participating in Godly Christian Schools!

4. The First Governing Document Signing of the Mayflower Compact Nov. 11, 1620

5. The Mayflower Compact “Having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith… do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one another, Covenant and Combine ourselves into a civil body politic…” Dated November 11, 1620

6. “No King But Jesus” • A Committee of Correspondence was established to keep Americans informed about the progress in gaining Independence from England. • The motto of the Committee was“No King But Jesus.”

7. Declaration of Independence 1776 “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their CREATOR, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

8. Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness • Life – We are pro-life. No abortion or killing of the elderly. • Liberty – Minimal government. We are opposed to communism and totalitarian governments. • Pursuit of happiness

9. Psalm 144:15 “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.”

10. The Pursuit of Happiness • Happy is that people who’s God is the Lord. • Happy for forgiveness of sins, salvation. • Happy for a loving, heavenly father. • Happy for the Christian life, Church. • Happy for Christian Education.

11. The Constitutional Convention • When representatives of each of the thirteen colonies met to try to form a ‘united states’ this was the first act passed:

12. The Constitutional Convention • “…that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven, and the blessings of our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business…” June 28, 1787

13. James Madison “Without the intervention of God there never would have been a Constitution.”

14. Commander In Chief Order • One of General Washington’s very first orders was a requirement for divine services every Sunday. • “I admonish all soldiers to fear God, to put away all wickedness and practice Christian virtues.”

16. The Bible, Basis Of Our Government • Historical documents written regarding the Articles of Confederation, The Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States are available for study.

17. The Bible, Basis Of Our Government • 94% of all quotes found in these documents come from the Bible.

18. 2nd Most Quoted Source? • Sir William Blackstone, greatest of all authorities on English Law. • Quoting Blackstone: “Christianity is the basis for all British common law.”

19. Patrick Henry • …“This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but by the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

20. Our Founders Feared God • “I had the honor of being one among many who framed that Constitution. . . In order effectually to accomplish these great ends, it is incumbent upon us to begin wisely and to proceed in the fear of God;”

21. Our Founders Feared God • “. . . and it is especially the duty of those who bear rule to promote and encourage piety [respect for God].” Henry Laurens, President of Congress, Delegate to the Constitutional Convention

22. The Great Seal of U. S. of A. • On the most important high level documents, signed by our President, the official seal is placed on these documents. The seal reads: • Annuit Coeptis, Latin for: “God has favored our undertakings.”

23. Obverse (front) of U.S. Seal

24. Reverse Side of U.S. Seal

25. The Northwest Ordinance • Article III • “Religion, morality and education being essential to good government…” • July 13, 1787

26. Christian Religion Part of Our Government • As part of The Bill of Rights, 1st Amendment was added to our Constitution in 1791.

27. Runkel v. Winemiller 1799 • 8 years after the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, there was a famous court case, Runkel vs. Winemiller. • The case can be found at your local law library.    • The official court report says:

28. Runkel v. Winemiller • "The Christian religion is the established religion by our form of government, and all denominations are placed on an equal footing and equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty."

29. Capitol Building A Church • December 4, 1800, Congress approved the use of the Capitol building as a church building. • For fifty years, from 1807 to 1857, church services were held in what is now Statuary Hall, U.S. Capitol

30. Capitol Building A Church • December 13, 1857, the Rev. Dr. George Cummins preached before a crowd of 2,000 worshipers in the U.S Capitol.

31. Capitol Building A Church • The rostrum of the Speaker of the House was used as the preacher’s pulpit; and Congress purchased the hymnals used in the service.

32. House And Senate Chaplains • May 1, 1789 • House and Senate voted to have full time chaplains.

33. House And Senate Chaplains • From that day until today, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have Chaplains and Chapels. • During the past two hundred and seventeen years, all sessions of the Senate have been opened with prayer.

34. Swearing In The President • From George Washington on, all those taking the office of President of the U.S. place there hand on the Bible and promise to uphold the Constitution of the U.S., concluding with the words: “so help me God.”

35. The Décor of the Rotunda • In the Capitol Rotunda is a chapel for prayer.

36. The Décor of the Rotunda • Under a picture of George Washington on his knees praying is this quote: “Preserve me, oh God, for in thee do I put my trust.” Psalm 16:1 • Inside the rotunda is the figure of a crucified Christ.

37. Décor of the U.S. Senate • Above the President of the Senate is this quote: “In God We Trust”, the official motto of the United States of America.

38. First President of the U.S. “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”George Washington, 1752

39. The U.S. Supreme Court • Engraved in stone above the seat of the Chief Justice are the Ten Commandments.

40. The U.S. Supreme Court • At the beginning of each session this quote is given: • “God save the United States and this honorable court.”

41. Moses on Supreme Court

42. 1st Supreme Court Chief Justice • John Jay 1745-1829 • Appointed by President George Washington

43. 1st Supreme Court Chief Justice • “It is the duty of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” Oct. 12, 1820 • John Jay was also President of the American Bible Society 1821

44. John Adams, 2nd President “Suppose a nation in some distant region would take the Bible as the only set of laws… what a utopia, what a paradise this would be.”February 22, 1756

45. John Adams “Religion and virtue are the only foundations …of all free government.”August 28, 1811

46. 4th President of the U.S. “Religion is the basis and foundation of government.”James Madison June 20, 1785

47. 6th President of the U.S. • “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”John Quincy Adams, July 4th, 1821

48. The Pledge of Allegiance Written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, Baptist Pastor

49. The Pledge of Allegiance I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to The Republic for which it stands, one Nation under GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

50. 26th President of the U.S. “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.” Theodore Roosevelt (Thank God for Christian Schools)