“CHRIST IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH”: CHURCHES AND LOCKDOWN MANDATES
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“CHRIST IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH”: CHURCHES AND LOCKDOWN MANDATES
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Two churches in California are defying Gov. Gavin Newsom’s orders to keep their doors closed because of the coronavirus, including Grace Community Church in a Los Angeles suburb, where Pastor John MacArthur posted a letter on Friday titled, “Christ, Not Caesar, Is Head of the Church.”
MacArthur laid out his “biblical case for the church’s duty to remain open.” The letter reads, in part:
Christ is Lord of all. He is the one true head of the church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18). He is also King of kings—sovereign over every earthly authority (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16). Grace Community Church has always stood immovably on those biblical principles. As His people, we are subject to His will and commands as revealed in Scripture. Therefore we cannot and will not acquiesce to a government-imposed moratorium on our weekly congregational worship or other regular corporate gatherings. Compliance would be disobedience to our Lord’s clear commands. . . .
Scripture does mandate careful, conscientious obedience to all governing authority, including kings, governors, employers, and their agents (in Peter’s words, “not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable” [1 Peter 2:18]). Insofar as government authorities do not attempt to assert ecclesiastical authority or issue orders that forbid our obedience to God’s law, their authority is to be obeyed whether we agree with their rulings or not. In other words, Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 still bind the consciences of individual Christians. We are to obey our civil authorities as powers that God Himself has ordained.
When any government official issues orders regulating worship (such as bans on singing, caps on attendance, or prohibitions against gatherings and services), he steps outside the legitimate bounds of his God-ordained authority as a civic official and arrogates to himself authority that God expressly grants only to the Lord Jesus Christ as sovereign over His Kingdom, which is the church. His rule is mediated to local churches through those pastors and elders who teach His Word (Matthew 16:18–19; 2 Timothy 3:16–4:2).
Therefore, in response to the recent state order requiring churches in California to limit or suspend all meetings indefinitely, we, the pastors and elders of Grace Community Church, respectfully inform our civic leaders that they have exceeded their legitimate jurisdiction, and faithfulness to Christ prohibits us from observing the restrictions they want to impose on our corporate worship services. . . .
Click here to read MacArthur’s full thoughts.
“Our prayer is that every faithful congregation will stand with us in obedience to our Lord as Christians have done through the centuries,” the letter concluded.
MacArthur’s letter comes weeks after Calvary Church Chino Hills, also a Southern California congregation, opened its door for service on May 31, Pentecost Sunday — the holy day that celebrates the anointing of the church by the Holy Spirit 50 days after Christ’s resurrection.
“The church transcends the governments of this world and the politics of this world because the church is a living, breathing, divine institution,” Pastor Jack Hibbs said in a video addressing other pastors about the lockdown and announcing the decision to reopen the church.
“We want to be safe. We want to be wise. We want to be sensitive to the weakest among us,” Hibbs said.
“Are we going to open our doors? Are we going to preach the Gospel?” Hibbs stated.
Hibbs said his prayer is that a “revival might break forth across this land” because California churches opened their doors.
(From Breitbart. By Penny Starr. Photo from Unsplash by Hudsom Hintze.)
In other related news, “the Supreme Court denied a request from a Nevada church to block enforcement of state restrictions on attendance at religious services due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The church argued that the policy, which limited in-person church attendance to 50 people, violated the constitution by treating church services differently than other large gatherings such as casinos, gyms and restaurants. . . .
Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the liberal justices in denying the request, marking the second time the chief justice has voted to reject a church’s request during the pandemic. He also lent his vote to the liberals in a 5-4 decision against a California church challenging limitations on the number of people who could attend services back in May. . . .
In his dissent Alito, joined by Thomas and Kavanaugh, wrote that the “Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion.”
“It says nothing about the freedom to play craps or black-jack, to feed tokens into a slot machine, or to engage in any other game of chance,” he said. “A public health emergency does not give Governors and other public officials carte blanche to disregard the Constitution for as long as the medical problem persists.”
In his own dissent, Gorsuch pointed out the inconsistencies in the state’s policy, noting that movie houses and casinos were subject to different rules than churches.
What are your thoughts about MacArthur’s thoughts, this church’s act of boldness, or the Supreme Court decision?
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Of course MacArthur is correct.Jesus Christ is Head of the Church. Our own Constitution says that the Governments shall not prohibit the practice of ones’ religion.
We need to pray for chief justice Roberts, the swing vote on many terrible decisions lately. Something is terribly wrong with that man. He is betraying his best self, the USA and the Constitution, the life of unborn babies and religious freedom. We need to ask for God’s mercy upon this man to bring him to a change before he has to face God with all the damage he is doing and it will be too late to change because he will be gone from earth. Dear God, save him from that indescribable regret and pain! What has happened to him?? Threats?Bribery? Mind Control? He needs prayer help very badly!!
God Bless John MacArthur for standing with the guidelines of our Biblical scripture. Thank you Pastor MacArthur…..We continue praying for our Pastors across America for courage and strength as they continue to preach and teach HIS HOLY Word. May we all have a deep HUNGER for more of HIS WORD.
At this time it is important for the Body of Christ to not become desensitized or complicit with the new “normal.” It is not normal for a church service to be interrupted 5 or 6 times because your computer freezes or the internet signal is stopped. It is not normal for a group to consist of one person at a computer talking to another person at a computer and call that positive group interaction. When we are together, the Holy Spirit flows like on the day of Pentecost where they were gathered together (in person) and were of one accord (Acts 2:1). Signs, wonders and miracles takes place. In California, remember even gatherings in home is outlawed so Home Churches with others is not permitted. See, once you give satan control of how you can worship (remember he is referred to as prince of the power of the air (Ephesian 2:2), he can diabolically disrupt the airwaves and disturb the Body of Christ. We certainly have been given the power to dismantle all his tactics and need to do so in Jesus Name.
I am appalled at the Supreme Court’s decision. This is contrary to God‘s will And in his word, and they will be held accountable for their actions. I pray the Lord‘s justice will be done and that he will protect his people.
I pray that more faith leaders will follow Pastor John MacArthur’s stance to keep the church doors open for congregational worship.
Please note there are two other churches that have opened their doors. I say thank you to them as well for their boldness. In May, 2000 churches were going to open in California and that never happened. My prayer has constantly been that those 2000 churches will open up without fear, in boldness – not looking back now without restraints of distancing or masks and that the attendance will be full and non Christians will be drawn to come and know Jesus, those contemplating suicide will come and find peace and the Lord, and even if one should get COVID or 100 (many false tests) it will not STOP them from doing what they are doing for Jesus. That no one will have any fear of this hyper-inflated charts (lies on cases and deaths). I also pray that those back slidden, unsaved, or even those going to church will have a deep HUNGER and DESIRE to repent and have an overwhelming love for Jesus. Gen 50:20
Good news! There are more than 2 churches open in California, they just haven’t made the national news yet. I am in full agreement with Pastor MacArthur and all of those churches who have responded to this persecution. God is in control and He has a purpose for us as believers during this crisis. If all the houses of Worship in California would stand together, the State could do little to stop us. I have been very disappointed that my church has succumbed to the governor’s edicts, and am now attending a church that is freely and openly worshiping God, and has been since the BLM riots. And we are now being threatened by the local health department. We must pray like never before for the Holy Spirit of Christ to be spread throughout this country, for the Church to stand up and fight this spiritual battle so that revival can inundate our land!!
Yes, LORD! I pray that You will harvest seeds of truth that were sown in faith in peoples’ hearts decades ago! I pray that those seeds will grow up to bear amazing fruit for Your Name, Jesus! Fruit that will last!! Amen
It is about time the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ stood up boldly and stopped submitting to unlawful authorities who have overstepped their authority and violate not only our Constitution but the Lord God Himself.
God bless Grace Community Church and John McArthur for the courage to stand for the truth. It,s time for the state government to do what they are supposed to do protecting the people and not trying to control their lives.
I have read through most of these posts. I know that I believe with strong conviction and researched evidence that this whole situation of masks and 6 feet distancing, and restraining true and full personal contact as church fellowship is counterproductive to true immune health; aside from the spiritual disadvantages of it. They are more than we might readily see or realize. We have not been educated on physical isolation and its impact upon on a society. We are certainly getting a taste of it, in that people of the world particularly are more on edge and ready to get angry and act out against each other. We have been fed so many lies, by people who do and who don’t know the real truth on real body health and what produces it and protects us from disease; including real physical and up close contact with other people. But I see something else that is really bothering me even more. The body of Christ is being divided a part with one opinion vs. another. It is very divisive among the Body of Christ and weakens us all. This is the enemies’ plot against us as well. We really need to have GRACE and tolerance for each other’s personal convictions; whatever they are, and each needs to do what they feel convinced and convicted of by the Power of the Holy Spirit. We need to be praying for one another and unity among us, the body of Christ. Unity can be agreeing to disagree, with each going forward as they see fit until the Holy Spirit Himself changes the thoughts of people to actually agree on a matter. We are being assaulted by the enemy from every direction in this season. We need to be sure we are standing against the enemy, and not each other. May God help us each one to fast and pray and do whatever HE leads each one of us to do in this battle against the the evil one, who wants to destroy us all, and all that we are called to do to promote the Kingdom of God in this season. Father God, help us all to take time to really HEAR YOUR SPIRIT about these things, and go forward in PEACE and LOVE, and doing and speaking what YOU show us to do and to speak. We do need to HONOR the LORD by honoring our brethren as well….the best that we each know how to do that. Shalom Blessings to all.
Thank you for your comment. I agree wholeheartedly. I believe churches should open and leave the decision to the church-goer whether to attend or not. Although I am 75 and considered “high-risk”, I would attend church. However, because my husband, who is almost 78 and has COPD (a compromised lung disease), I will not attend. I wouldn’t want to bring any disease home to him. I believe that I am protected (see Psalm 91) but that is not where his faith is. Each individual has to consider his or her own situation, health, etc. That is the American way. Let people decide not the government. We, the church, has let the government go too far and I don’t know if we will ever get religious freedom back at this point. I am praying we do.
In the last 50 years or so we as Christians have been taught to be sheep. We were taught to conform. Church leaders ask for allegiance to their institution, that is not right, it especially asks you to be diligent in giving money. Can you image Paul or Jesus obeying the COVID shut down of Churches. Christian leaders you must stand tall and ENCOURAGE your congregations to transgress this order. I realize the Christian code of conduct makes us want to be submissive. What we’ve been taught is contrary to what the scripture teaches. Both Jesus and John the Baptist were killed because John criticized the political leaders and Jesus criticized the religious leader. Actually Jesus only condemned the religious leader, he did this every time he was around them.
My biggest prayer is today’s church leaders must change their whole platform, their whole paradigm and perspective of teaching. We must obey Jesus, the firing squads will happen.
As the scriptures state, “Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning), urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) The Word underlies the reason we need to meet (warning, encouraging, and urging one another) and speaks to these days since we are certainly in that “day” which is approaching. Basically, as the world gets worse, we need to up our capacity to meet even more faithfully. Nowhere in history, is it encouraged for believers not to meet. The prosecuted Church in Europe and Asia makes every attempt to meet underground even risking death. God in His infinite wisdom knew there would be days of COVID 19 and His Word still says that we are not to neglect to assemble together. Those working for the enemy continue to meet together while the Church stays in lockdown muzzled???? Pray that we ‘awaken’ to the traps of the enemy and truly be the light of the world.
I say yes and Amen to John MacArthur and the opening of churches. It is our mandate to gather, worship, and pray and intercede for this nation through this very dark season! Woe to us if we neglect it. God said in his Word He would protect us in Psalm 91 and I beleive He will.The church must not be neglected pandemic or not.
My Pastor has been holding in-house services since late May. I can tell the difference spiritually and naturally when there is corporate worship and praise versus just viewing on the computer. Even when the Word is delivered, there is more power with signs and wonders proceeding. My spirit gets lifted up so I have spiritual fuel to do what I need to do, which includes spreading the gospel, lifting others up in prayer and deeds, and doing the assignment that God has given me on this earth. I am blessed that my Pastor does not walk in fear. He shared that since March, only 4 people out of thousands of congregants reportedly died of COVID-19 symptoms and all had comorbidities. My prayer is that other Pastors will forsake their fear and do what they need to do in order to bring their congregants back in person under one roof. If they wait too long, there may not be folks to bring back which would be just fine with satan and his cohorts.
Yes to John MacArthur stance on biblical authority. PRAYING
They have no authority to do that. It is in absolute violation of Amendment I of the Constitution of the United States of America – AND the separation of church and state which they themselves put into place and made effective in 1962 taking prayer out of school, Bibles out of libraries and the ten Commandments out of all government buildings. God is in charge, not them.
my thought towards this statement of the church reopening during this pandemic is that,the church is in good position to pray for the nation when there is a pandemic in the land as it is in the book of 2 chronicles 7:13-16. which means its our mandate to call on the name of the Lord during this season for Gods healing in Jesus name amen.
pastor Antony Shimenga
kenya
I say Amen to JM. I was wondering when he was gonna man-up.
The Dems are so confused they don’t even have policies that line up with their beliefs. If they really believed the virus is spreading and killing people in large gatherings, you would think they would be jumping all over themselves to make sure the BLM demonstrators took every precaution to “protect” themselves during their giant unrestricted gatherings, but do you see them out there handing out masks and providing markings on the pavement to help people be sure to stay six feed away from each other? These are the people they are claiming to want to represent, protect, help and promote (all those who “feel” marginalized). They want to destroy the church (those who really ARE marginalized), so why not rather ENCOURAGE congregants to have larger and larger meetings in churches and conferences so they can get sick and die off faster? That is what I would do if I were a democrat and wanted to use the whole covid-propaganda to my advantage and increase the numbers of cultural marxists and decrease the numbers of believers in Jesus Christ. Again, no surprise really as they don’t even know who is leading them. Otherwise, it is just a clear sign (GIANT RED FLAG) that they KNOW the truth about covid, and that it is not killing the numbers of people they are reporting it is and that it is actually less dangerous than the flu. If they believed their own lie, they would be forcing Christians to go to church.
I am happy to see this letter from pastor MacArthur! We as Christians need to stand up for our rights. We need to defend our right to worship the Lord God in corporate gatherings as well as privately!!
I wondered how long it would take for the church to sit up and take notice of the fact that the Bible commands us to not forsake the joining of ourselves together. I think Mc Arthur is right on. I wish my church would join the resistance.
I support MacArthurs stance & have been praying for all the Calvary churches in Ca to stand up because the world is watching
What McCarther says is based on the Bible. I believe all churches should remain open and so it’s my prayer that pastors and believers everywhere will have the courage to put God first to honor Him by not forsaking the assembling together of the saints.
Jesus is King of USA. Thank you Cali.
God will honor their obedience.
I am excited that finally there is pushback by some churches. When Calvary Chapel Chino Hills and Jack Hibbs seemed to cave to the pressure at the beginning of all of this, I was terribly disappointed. Now that I hear that he did follow through and reopen his church, I’m sooooo glad! Thank You, Father!
By the way, JD Farag at Calvary Chapel Kaneohe (Hawaii, for us from Rio Linda) is also standing strong against the mask mandate over there. I don’t know the status of any kind of prohibition of churches meeting together, but I presume that if there is one, he’s defying that also.
Wonderful!
Theocracy: Every government is predicated on precepts that reflect their world view, which by definition is a religious foundation::
Merriam-Webster: re·li·gion /rəˈlijən/ noun
1. a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.
The USA government is predicated on Old Testament laws, tempered with the New Testament principles of Jesus! After Reagan’s term in office, their was a divergence from a Jesus centered Theocracy to a man centered official government approved religion called Humanism, followed by a further divaricating into the religion of Atheism, Socialism, homosexuaIism, with a segue into “gaia” mother earth worship, and even Mid Eastern religion. However Jesus being the foundation of our “Constitutional Republic” & even the “Federalist Papers,” we must return to our original theocracy, where the government/state is divided from the 1st Amendment power of the church [the real Thomas Jefferson of division of Church & State]. A return to a government centered in the creator of the universe, who is Jesus, the highest form of governing in the world [far above all others], which made America the number one economy on the earth, that is until the religion of Humanism eclipsed it, and we began the downward cycle of entropy, fast becoming 3rd world county. Now we have an apostle in the white house and a hope [a spiritual excitement and expectation of greatness again] of returning to Jesus as a nation.
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. From John Adams to Massachusetts Militia, 11 October 1798
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.1 John Adams
I wouldn’t go so far as to call Donald Trump and apostle. 🙂
If the economy is a miracle, then he qualifies: 2 Cor 12:12
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.
ASV
However for the Pharisees I am sure Peter would be disqualified, because out of his own mouth he said to Jesus, “Get away from me, I am a sinful man.” and Pharisees in the church would disqualify Paul also, because he was guilty of the stoning of Stephen, because he agreed with it and was there.
Neither would I. I do believe he does care about our country and the foundation on which is was built. I continue to pray for our president that he will come to know Jesus in His fullness, and learn to act according to the wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit.
They put Paul in jail for spreading the gospel. When freed from jail, he went straight back to spreading the gospel. We must use our common sense in protecting ourselves from covid-19, any other flu, and the common cold. We must use the Word of God to guide us when our government tells us we have no right to worship as the Bible commands. God bless the pastors who stand up to the discriminatory enforcement of the safety protocols and may He grant other pastors the courage to stand up for their God. I believe that if you want God to stand up for you, you need to stand up for Him. He knows what is in our hearts and this pandemic lets us see inside our hearts for ourselves.
Praise God for faithful men and women such as John MacArthur who are willing to stand for truth even when some of our state governors do not.
It’s hard to believe that a decision like this was made in the United States of America.
It’s time for all believers to take the same stand. 🙏🏻
It’s about time. Church leaders have been silenced for 60+ years since they accepted the Johnson offer called the 501 (3)(c). It is time to repent.
I completely agree – once 501 (3)(c) is accepted, it opens the door for government rules and regulations. I rebuke this love of money.
I am in full support of McArthur’s article and I am so glad that he clearly voiced the reason Christians should continue to meet. God is over all earthly rulers. We have this mandate from God that we are “not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together”!
Yes. And part of the reason He commands that we do this is so we can fellowship in the Spirit. This masking and running in and out of the doors immediately prior and after the services is kind of bogus too. I love my pastor and I love the sermons, but what I love and gain the most strength and benefit from is being connected to the other members of the body–the fellowship of the saints. As long as we are simply filing in and out as spectators, the great life-giving function of living waters flowing freely in and amongst and into and out of each other is entirely circumvented.
In the days of Billy Sunday and the Welsh revival, the bars closed the social problems were decimated. People were falling on their knees in the street to be forgiven, healed, delivered and restored by the precious shed blood of Jesus.
If those courageous enough to stand in obedience to the commands of Christ the King Persist in their God given mandate;Then we Will see the same move of the Holy Spirit sweep across the country.
Praise God, AMEN
Yes, amen!
1 Co:10:23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”
Dear Father,
I thank you for the liberty and freedom to open worship you, whether it is in a church building, in the privacy of my home, or on-line via electronic. Let this issue not be a stumbling block or cause division, but rather let us consider what is best for th good of our neighbor.
Amen
Praise God for strong dedicated leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ!! I will be praying for these men as they step out in faith. The time has come for us to stand for Jesus…or fall to the enemy. Thanking God for His strength to do His will.
John MacArthur is absolutely right, as are Supreme Court Judges Alito, Thomas and Kavanaugh in their dissent, and Judge Gorsuch in his. Thank GOD for these wise men!
It would be wise if everyone of us who names the name of JESUS as our LORD and Savior should seek GOD for HIS personal answer to each us. We should be cautious and not attend a service if we think we may have been infected by Covid 19 for that would be presumptuous.
Thank you for pointing out that we each, as obedient children of the Father, also have a personal responsibility herein: that of assurance that we are healthy before attending. Seems that has been overlooked.
Our Father in heaven,
Holy is Your Name. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Let the Body of Christ be reminded that You are omnipresent omniscient and omnipotent God. You are the only one that can see human soul, heart and their intention. Your power is beyond our understanding. Your Holy Spirit is with us as we received the amazing grace of Jesus Christ.
We thank You that we can pray 24/7.
Please forgive our sins as we forgive others who sins against us.
Lord God, show us what You want to do with our lives. We thank You that we are Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which You have prepared in advance for us.
Father God, as Pastor John MacArthur posted a letter on Friday titled, “Christ, Not Caesar, Is Head of the Church.”
And the In his dissent Judge Alito, joined by Judge Thomas and Judge Kavanaugh, wrote that the “Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion.”
Hear our cry, O Lord, and attend unto our prayers as we pray for turnaround for all the Body of Christ in America especially California to stand together in unity of Jesus Christ as the head of the church.
Father God, we ask that the resources of the ungodly (Antifa, BLM, The Good Club, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, GGE, Open Society Foundation, the Hollywood Elites The Globalist, The Cartels, MSM, CCP, Russia etc) to dry up. Just as Jesus spoke to the nonproducing fig tree and it dried up from the roots, we speak to the resources of those who work evil in our government and command their money, communication, and alliances to dry up from the roots.
In Jesus name bind demonic principalities of witchcraft, hate, and division that keep the Body of Christ in America especially California to be united.
We pray for Gavin Newsom and his administrations that You will open their eyes to see who You Are and will be willing to support the Body of Christ in California. Help them to understand the amazing grace of Jesus Christ.
Keep us humble and rely our trust on You forever and ever.
May the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be upon us all from today onward.
We love You, Father. Thank You for loving us first. For Yours is the glory forever and ever. In Jesus’ holy, mighty, majestic, and matchless name we pray, Amen.
I am thankful to God that John McArthur stood up and quoted scripture correctly and is not succumbing to the fear that is so pervasive today. I am also glad to see huge gatherings on the beaches of California to praise and Worship our Creator. Break open, California, an earthquake of the Spirit of the largest magnitude!
Absolutely agree! We are not bound by unholy laws. The Word tells us to not forsake gathering together. Worship of God transcends governmental mandate. Just ask the persecuted church worldwide.
Heavenly Father, give wisdom to all of Your people. Thank You that Pastor MacArthur boldly expresses Your Word. We pray for his protection and that the response of true believers will glorify Your name. We pray for the Supreme Court to align with Your purposes and ask that You intervene in California and protect Your people from injustice, for You are a God of justice. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Lord God give us/your spiritual leaders wisdom. Proceed with caution. God is not limited to a building. See what God is doing (The bigger picture here). It’s truly a new day and season God has shifted the way we should do business and it’s not the same as last season. Allow the Holy Spirit to show us the way of the new (Zoom, house churches, meeting outside in our vehicles or in the parking lot location or parks etc). Let’s not limit God and believe it’s about meeting in a mega building we can still gather we must seek God as how to in this new season. God is inside of us. The church can’t continue to play russian roulette with the government and the word of God without some second and third order effects. Use GODLY WISDOM and guidance as you are sensitive to the weakest among you in Jesus name. Amen
We should address double standards (Clubs and Bars etc.) as it relates bans on singing, caps on attendance, or prohibitions against gatherings and services. Use GODLY WISDOM in Jesus name. Amen
Tory. A voice of reason. Thankyou for your GODLY perspective.
We pray for The CHURCH to rise up and run with the new mandate , it’s all about the Kingdom and souls, people and the soul of our nation, for such a time as this.
Blessings JESHUA IS LORD of ALL the earth Amen
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
AMEN
It’s difficult to worship from your grave. Doing things forbidden for physical health of yourself, loved ones and strangers you may unknowingly affect with the invisible virus doesn’t seem to be serving the Lord. Unknowingly murdering others because you refuse to worship from your homes — online — ???? We are to obey government officials. They have not safe d we cannot worship God.
The Bible says believers will lay hands on the sick and they will recover. That can’t be done from home.
Amen! Signs, wonders and miracles are to follow the preached Word of God!
Those who do not wish to worship and hear the Word in congregate in person have the freedom to watch online. If We obey God (do not forsake the gathering together of yourselves), He will protect us from the evil.
Praise God for His Sovereignty in all matters! Lord this life is not my own, may I not make an idol of it, but submit my will to You, that if Your will is to have WuFlu or not have WuFlu, it is up to You, o Holy God. May we not test the Spirits and act foolishly, but out of obedience to YOu may we meet together, come together in unity as one at the cross of Jesus Christ. May You be the sole desire of our hearts and may our lives glorify You alone. In the might name of Jesus may I repent of all of my fears of anything in this life that is passing away, and Fear God as I bow my heart to You Most Gracious and loving Father. Amen
More churches across the nation should follow this example. God will bless of that we can be sure.
Praise the Lord! I commend the two pastors who safely agree to keep there churches open. Out of all the churches we have here in California, only two pastors stepped up. Let that sink in for a moment….The church must repent and come out of the world system and place Christ as the head of the church.
Praise the Lord and God bless John MacArthur and his leadership Team for taking a righteous stand for the Lord and the Church. I applaud their courage.
It’s time that our pastors and leaders rise up and take a stand for the gospel. Many people are out preaching the gospel on the streets now. They can’t stop the preaching and Christians from gathering outside the church to take ground for the kingdom. We need to rise up and use our kingdom voices and declare Jesus is Lord over all.
I strongly agree with Pastor John MacAuther and Pastor Jack Hibbs. Both are courageous in standing for God’s Truth. It is so obvious what the left Dems are doing. It’s blatant persecution of the church. It’s what they do. It’s part of their marxist agenda. We as Christians will not fall for it.
Thank you John for standing on solid ground to worship our King. Solid ground Biblically and Constitutionally. May Jesus be glorified. May this present move of God and a great awakening come to all America.
Finally!
I believe the pastors move is one of solidarity and trust in God and continuing with services. God bless him and have congregation as they move forward in Christ Jesus.
I no problem at all with Pastor MacArthur. The problem I have is with the obvious legal compromise of Ch. Justice Roberts. Anyone with a pea brain can see that Obama has him by the throat. What disturbs me even more is the utterly cowardly DEAFENING silence from Bush 43, who appointed him, and is 1 of the most glaring and significant Never-Trumpers. This is the best reason I’ve ever seen to abolish the whole corporate structure of the 2 parties. Thank God Trump has already taken massive steps to do just that. He’s stolen dozens of issues from the Democrats and yet, stayed within the Constitutional guidelines.
Well spoken. Silent No More.
I pray other church leaders will take his lead! Only God knows why this is happening and He alone will end these times in due time!! May God be with the 25 million Christians that DID NOT vote in 2016.. may we also pray for them to do their Godly duty!!
May our Lord bless and protect Pastor MacArthur as he obeys His commands! Oh, if we only had more brave pastors like him who would choose to obey God rather than men! May God strengthen and embolden more pastors, and may God be glorified in them! I have listened to John MacArthur for years, also Jack Hibbs, because their focus is not on themselves but on the Word of God. And may God give us all strength to obey Him rather than men. These are serious times when all Christians must be in constant prayer against the evil forces at work! Maranatha!
I admire Pastor McArthur’s boldness. I pray more pastors will stand up. I feel this whole pandemic scheme is all about the government controlling us. They are taking our freedom away from us.
Lord open up our eyes to see what the enemy is trying to do to our country. I pray that many many more churches will leave their doors open for god’s people to congregate. Let God‘s people people be a blessing to their community and let others see you in us. Give us boldness to proclaim your word and bless the pastors who are standing up against ungodly rulings. Let Christians all over America stand up and let our voices be heard. We have been silent too long. Thank you Jesus for the baptism of boldness all over America to come upon your children.
I say HALLELUJAH. It is so good to hear the Caleb’s and Joshua’s are taking a stand. We will not allow the enemy to rule in our churches.
CHRIST JESUS is greater than he, mortal man.
HALLELUJAH
Praise god for pastors taking a bold stand. Jesus christ is our lord and king and we obey him and he promised to protect and provide for us. Open the doors of all churches and we will gather and sing praises to our lord at the top of our voices because Jesus reigns and rules over all this earth. The eyes of the lord are on the righteous. Fear
of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the lord is kept safe.
The church is not the four walls, it is the body of Christ which is made up of us as believers. This is why the church is alive!! It is not a building. Matthew 16:18
1 Peter 2:5
I have not been to the building since March but I have been able to freely worship and congregate with other believers. We have TV services, Facebook services, I have met small group Bible studies and biweekly prayer meetings over zoom. Jesus’ Church has no boundaries and I personally believe the government has acted to protect my health and yours.
Personally I am concerned when churches act radically and take a stand on issues unbelievers don’t understand. Does this behavior woo someone to desire an eternal relationship with
Jesus? Does this behavior show Gods people bringing peace? Or creating strife? How would you honestly answer the question if
Jesus himself asked you “has any government official prevented you from calling upon my name or worshipping me at any time you desire?” My answer- I have not been restricted in any way except to enter a man made building, because it could affect my health.
What is truly in your heart? Fear .. The enemy has paralazied people and the church. Fear is the best tool the enemy uses to operate. Is your decision made on fear or are you trusting God . I walk in total confidence that when I walk into our church every Sunday that nothing will come near me nor harm me in any way. There is lots of power in Corporate prayer, Corporate Worship. Think about it…
Yep, Jesus was accused of acting radically with His signs and wonders that throngs of unbelievers couldn’t understand! Hallelujah! That’s what we are supposed to do!
What do you say to my friend whose church is dealing with a Covid outbreak which started in church? How many people will be affected by these outbreaks? Believers have a responsibility to one another and the community. Churches are spawning Covid outbreaks. I know of two right now.
I am so proud there is a pastor with a backbone willing to stand firm against this government intrusion into our faith practices! May God bless him!
Amen, praise the lord.