I learned that there was in intimate relationship between the church and state. They cannot be separated because the state itself was controlling the church. It is new to me since what I knew is different. Since I was young I perceived that church and state are different institutions. Much more here in the Philippines. I observe that the authority of the government is very separated from the authority of the church. The Bible shows the same way. During the time of Moses church and state were separated. Moses was the government and Aaron was the in charge of the church matters. At the very beginning we can really identify that the church should be separated from the church.
In our church, we have this teaching instilled in our minds not to participate with government matters. Especially in the area of politics. I think our pastor was really convicted that the government matters should not interfere with the church's and vice versa. I do affirmed on what his conviction is especially now that I learned that the church has really benefits if it is separated from the state.
I do believe that the church is free when it is not under the control of the government. The Americans proved it and so when they came here, they promote church and state separation which gave the people religious freedom. The church really needs freedom especially for its activity for the expansion of God's kingdom.