I am amazed how many church going Christians think it is OK for the Governments now that states have opened to still tell church members not to meet. Acts 2:46 they met daily. President Trump intervened in the crisis by approving churches as “essential service”.
I have noticed the First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.) I am appalled that pastors across the country did not believe their own church they shepherd is “essential” and they needed Trump to remind them. Question: Scripture already states clearly Christians are to meet to function correctly. Why has the USA church strayed so far to forget this and scripture only in Church, over government?
President Donald Trump on Friday labeled churches and other houses of worship as “essential” and called on governors nationwide to let them reopen this weekend even though some areas remain under coronavirus lockdown. “Governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important esse…
They met daily in homes studying the word amd breaking bread/dinner. Home churches not what we have today
It’s the First Amendment, not the third. And I think many pastors were stuck between being wise stewards of their flock and obeying the governing authorities.
Yay
Not a pastor out wanted to shut down meeting in church buildings. But I would guess that few churches have stopped meeting together. Modern social media has made it possible the church to keep connecting. When did a open building become the Church / Body of Christ.
Saying all that I cannot wait to stand physically before God’s people encourage equip and edify those under my spiritual care. Blessings
Have pastors have been drawn away by money, power, and, social media mob rule instead of the meat and authority of God’s word? Trump’s point in the news clip was that liquor stores and abortion clinics are considered “essential “, not churches.
We do not follow the biblical example of Church as it describes it back then.
If you look at the numbers there’s no pandemic now. Only a scamdemic.
I know several people who have commented this virus. A friend of mine works in facility with elderly, it’s real and for any Pastor to put his congregation at risk is irresponsible grandstanding, not faith.
Churches, after having observed the guidelines for a reasonable time have become vocal about trusting God and returning to worshipping in the churches again.
Those are important points alright but obedience to authorities comes first before you may apply your faith. They have not asked you to denounce your faith.
Hebrews 5:7-8
[7]Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
[8]Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
At times we learn obedience through things we suffer like our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember Church buildings are not the only places brethen can meet, and again it was affecting all sectors of life worldwide necessary for Church to seek the direction of the Holy Spirit first for the authorities were neither against the Church or our Lord Jesus Christ.
Abraham our father of faith obeyed first when told to leave Ur of chaldees, sacrifice his son and faith followed later. The same was with the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
BREAKING NEWS! : This just in – coronavirus has affected the US which meant social distancing and stopping large gatherings. Church leaders stopped services to keep their members safe. Had they completely ignored such advice and met regularly = many more Christians could have got coronavirus.
My thoughts….we are to love one another. That means caring about each others health etc.
We can still worship together and meet via online services and meetings.
We as a church should be of service to our communities during this time.
I say all of that because the church I attend does all of those things.
It’s different than what we are used to but it works!
Canadian churches are amazing.
Poppycock! Trump don’t care about the church no more than then he cares about the citizens of this nation that is dying senselessly. He cares only about himself and his reelection. People wake-up and smell the coffee!
while it doesn’t happen often, when a government performs in a manner for which the sovereign Lord instituted and ordained human government, the word of God requires believers to obey the government. In this case the government is performing in such a manner and therefore we must act accordingly. The word of God is clear. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Romans 13:1-7 Besides that, the government has not placed the church under lockdown, Jehovah has. This “pandemic” is according to His agenda. He’s using it to give people a wake-up call and warning for a time of turning to Christ in faith. As it relates to churches, because the church has lost sight of its mission and message, He’s allowing time to repent. Here’s what the Bible says, “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17 The church was established and commissioned to teach the gospel of Christ and make disciples. The gospel is the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. The church has perverted the message into the false prosperity and social gospels. Furthermore she has altered the mission to affecting political and social change. It’s time to put the principle of Revelation 2:1-7 into action returning to her first love, message and mission. If congregations don’t repent and follow His agenda He will remove them as lampstands
Let’s remember the real definition of CHURCH- where two or more are gathered in His name, there He is in the midst of us. Church is a spiritual issue, and like prayer in school, they can try, but they can’t stop it! How do you stop prayer from the heart? Or talking about and praying to God? They can’t, so don’t get too wound up,ok?
Do not forsake the assembly. These orders or forcing us to defy a commandment from our God!!!
The fact that you are “appalled” that certain pastors agreed to shut down temporarily for the good of the congregation screams legalism to me. It is not sin for a congregation to agree to gov. suggested health guidelines. Take the 6th commandment…are we not supposed to do whatever we can to protect our own lives and the lives of others?
Je is right for doing so, because this pandemic is a scam.
If anyone is uncertain about your RIGHT to open your own business, or church against the orders of a governor or unelected health agency, read the 1st, 4th and 10th amendment, then read this:
https://www.constitution.org/uslaw/16amjur2nd.htm
The church has failed. We should have stood up against these Nazi orders. We had a duty to do so. We failed.
Church members have the right to meet. Just be cautious and follow cdc guidelines. Don’t put your vulnerable ones at risk. The biggest problem is when churches make their members feel guilty for not attending.
USA Churches need to survive by opening doors, or they will go bankrupt. Don’t be fooled. On line service is dwindling survivability and church staff function. Americans will not continue to fund a closed door church.
There is the other side. The Bible was written outside of a pandemic. Yes, the Apostles and the early church met often, but they also couldn’t kill each other and vulnerable members of their society by doing so. Christians are also called to obey the government (see Romans 13), and to be blameless in order to save people. If we act like this virus is no big deal just so we can sing a few hymns, especially if that results in some people catching a virus, how do we look to the world? No different than the fundamentalists. Christianity isn’t about rules, but relationship with God.
The question is, what is essential and the meaning of essential? It does not take a building to worship our Savior. We worship every day. Missing the fellowship of other believers is an inconvenience. Actually, it looks the Church may be growing hoping folks are receiving Jesus Christ as Savior. The Church is outside the building walls.
Okay CI I hear what you’re saying. I am curious – what is your thought on the fact that churches have been congregating together online??
I am highly disappointed in the near total lack of outcry from churches regarding this. It is as if they simply allowed the government to dictate that they cannot be allowed to worship corporatly.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. unfortunately its a command not an advice
“Whenever two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst”
I am deeply saddened by how many of you appear to be falling in line with Satan’s plans to close/destroy churches – a much needed and revered place to worship together.
Already America caves in to Satan’s plan.
Now watch the liberals have their HISSY FITS!!!
For starters, a lot of churches haven’t stopped meeting on site. Many have found ways to legally work within the regulations. The churches that stopped meeting in person were either too large to accommodate smaller services or too many at risk individuals to meet.
For seconds, the assumption that churches stopped meeting just because the government said so is false. This assumes a lot of pastors and elders didn’t seriously think about the consequences of whether the church met or not. That’s disrespectful of the role and responsibility we have given them.
For finals, it may be worth considering that this is a cross many of us have to bear for sake of the weak among us. Otherwise, we have to consider the effect of hearing that you’re too old, sick, or at risk to be in the presence of Jesus. All of us would like to be together again, but for one temporary reason or another lets be considerate. I suggest we call, send letters or cards to other people in our church to encourage the faith instead of fussing in Facebook about what we can’t do.
God instituted government after Noas flood . God set it up for the protection of human life. It is before the church and still works the same premise until Christ returns when he will the earth. The church is people not a place
I am glad that Trump said this, but in the end, we are letting a politician/government declare what our God given rights are and when we can utilize them…NOT A SINGLE CHURCH SHOULD HAVE CLOSED EVER!
For the state to tell the churches what they can or can’t do violates the First Amendment. Recommendation that they refrain from meeting for safety sake is different. The churches can decide to accept or disregard the advice. The forced closures is unconstitutional.
https://youtu.be/gfqsoSJ-Fgk
Church is not ‘what’, it’s ‘who’.
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
I think it was appropriate for a time, to take the opportunity to rest from traditions. (Hopefully noone rested from their relationship with the Lord.)
We are going to church tomorrow. I cannot wait.
I think the sticking point for many is that the Governors have declared liquor stores essential services and church services not. The absolute worst part is that here in Kentucky, our governor deemed the abortion clinic in our state as providing essential services and allowed it to remain open when we can’t even go to the dentist and get other vital health care as needed. It’s difficult to see that in any other way than being hypocritical at best.
To put it simply….it is UNGODLY.
If you are worried about getting the virus stay home.
We are to pray for all in authority that they come to the knowledge of the truth….1Tim2
I am amazed at how many people think the “church” is limited to a gathering at a building…
Yet he doesn’t attend
Good for him!
Someone needed to address this, since even abortion clinics were considered “essential”, yet Chirch gatherings were not.
Isn’t God the Healer of the nations?
Essential means cannot live without. Food, drink, shelter and transportation are essential. Haircuts, manicures, and book clubs (churches included) are not essential. Pretty easy to see why. A lot of pastors, preachers and imams that defied orders wound up with sick and dead congregants as well as some of those “leaders” as well. Jacobson v Massachusetts established that individual rights can be suspended for the health and safety of the community as a whole.
Also, don’t you guys push Romans 13? Or is that only when you want your laws enforced?
Just because they are declared essential does mean they will be opened up tomorrow. It means churches can decide the best method for opening up church to protect their parishioners. Please pray for our church leaders as they make these decisions.
This is ridiculous, churches aren’t being closed for religious persecution or any other reason other than to attempt to stop the spread of the virus, your not in China, Zimbabwe or Iraq.
Churches DONT NEED TO SURVIVE, the church is the body of Christ, it exists outside four walls, I guarantee the “meeting daily” in acts was not in a set building. And the suggestion that you/we would normally be meeting daily is also a bit far fetched.
We will stand Alone before the Lord on judgment day. Although things are not as comfortable without fellowship, ones personal relationship with the Lord, being tested and either refined or exposed, right now is probably a great blessing for the majority of people who claim to be Christians
This is ridiculous, churches aren’t being closed for religious persecution or any other reason other than to attempt to stop the spread of the virus, your not in China, Zimbabwe or Iraq.
Churches DONT NEED TO SURVIVE, the church is the body of Christ, it exists outside four walls, I guarantee the “meeting daily” in acts was not in a set building. And the suggestion that you/we would normally be meeting daily is also a bit far fetched.
We will stand Alone before the Lord on judgment day. Although things are not as comfortable without fellowship, ones personal relationship with the Lord, being tested and either refined or exposed, right now is probably a great blessing for the majority of people who claim to be Christians
Pls dont get me wrong on this. For public health interests, please find other ways to meet without physically going to a mass gathering such as church building. As believers in Christ, we are the church not the building… Tho I understand how we long to meet our bretheren personally, but in this situation anybody could be a carrier /threat to each other. Therefore, as much as we can consider every way possible we can meet not physically as a chuch then we may do so especially in times like this. We don’t want putting our bretheren even ourselves to imminent danger… All this I say with love. ♥️