Assembling together

Hi,

I don't think the church has done the wrong thing. The bible commands us to obey our government. If we rebel against them, we are rebelling against the commands of God.

Churches have adapted, our church still meets over zoom, and Facebook. It is not rebelling against Hebrews 10:25.

If we were to keep holding services, it shows we are not submitting to our governments as God commands us. It would give the world the right to condemn us.

Moonlight sonata said:

Ok, so I’m far from the perfect Christian and I really don’t want to be judging others. But, why has the church ignored Hebrews 10:25 during this pandemic? It’s like bowing down to the government, and it happened almost without question. I don’t know of any churches that remained open during this time in my nation. Isn’t there supposed to be a separation of church and state? Aren’t we called to care for the sick? But instead, we closed our doors. I can’t see the early church being like this. Have we become luke warm? I’m disappointed, not only the church but in myself (I have myself have been lukewarm, even cold lately). I am worried about my salvation because I feel my heart has become cold and I have neglected my relationship with the Lord and fallen into backsliding ways. I need good teaching right now to get back into a place of right standing with God, but I’m really really disappointed at how the church and government of the day have become seemingly intertwined like this.. it makes me to not want to go back to my church again. Am I being too harsh? And how do I find an independent house church?

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There are times when we do not have other Christians to give us their faith or to help our faith.

Therefore we must have our inner light/lamps full of oil. The source of our faith must dwell inside of us, not ouside of us.

Imagine yourself to land on an isolated island. What would happen with your faith there? Church is not a gas station for our faith. If it is, then it is not Christianity, but Churchianity.

Moonlight sonata said:

Ok, so I’m far from the perfect Christian and I really don’t want to be judging others. But, why has the church ignored Hebrews 10:25 during this pandemic? It’s like bowing down to the government, and it happened almost without question. I don’t know of any churches that remained open during this time in my nation. Isn’t there supposed to be a separation of church and state? Aren’t we called to care for the sick? But instead, we closed our doors. I can’t see the early church being like this. Have we become luke warm? I’m disappointed, not only the church but in myself (I have myself have been lukewarm, even cold lately). I am worried about my salvation because I feel my heart has become cold and I have neglected my relationship with the Lord and fallen into backsliding ways. I need good teaching right now to get back into a place of right standing with God, but I’m really really disappointed at how the church and government of the day have become seemingly intertwined like this.. it makes me to not want to go back to my church again. Am I being too harsh? And how do I find an independent house church?

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Initially it was done out of love for the unbelieving visitor and testimony of the Church but things got a little suspicious when the Church was relegated to the 'non essential' category taking second place to 'essential' gatherings such as night clubs, abortion mills, pot clinics etc. Then it started to become apparent that there was a 'singling out' of Churches which isn't right.

I believe it was out of safety and obeying the laws of the land.I have heard of pastors
getting fined for having church services when they werent supposed to,and some people even complained about a lot of cars being in the church parking lot when the praise team was having a practice.

Some churches closed down because they thought it was the responsible thing to do for the health of the public, not because the government made them. My state's government has said churches can re-open now, but most churches haven't. Mine included. Assembling would be foolish given that the virus is still spiking here. Politicians are re-opening to chase votes, when doing so is premature, ignores the data, and is against the public's health interest. But we are still being the church and finding ways to continue ministry while not gathered in person.

Moonlight sonata said:

Ok, so I’m far from the perfect Christian and I really don’t want to be judging others. But, why has the church ignored Hebrews 10:25 during this pandemic? It’s like bowing down to the government, and it happened almost without question. I don’t know of any churches that remained open during this time in my nation. Isn’t there supposed to be a separation of church and state? Aren’t we called to care for the sick? But instead, we closed our doors. I can’t see the early church being like this. Have we become luke warm? I’m disappointed, not only the church but in myself (I have myself have been lukewarm, even cold lately). I am worried about my salvation because I feel my heart has become cold and I have neglected my relationship with the Lord and fallen into backsliding ways. I need good teaching right now to get back into a place of right standing with God, but I’m really really disappointed at how the church and government of the day have become seemingly intertwined like this.. it makes me to not want to go back to my church again. Am I being too harsh? And how do I find an independent house church?

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God has commanded that we be truthful and not to lie, and yet Rahab lied and thus kept safe the Israelite spies returning from Canaan, and her lie was a righteous lie.

Yes, we are not to forsake the assembling, but the command of God is not that we should jeopardize the lives of our neighbors; that is not being faithful to the command of God, but being faithless. That is not in the spirit of God's command.

It is now bowing down to government, it is instead being faithful to Christ's command that we love our neighbor.

-CryptoLutheran

Yes, it is definitely pride and a rebellious spirit, that some Christians would disobey the government mandate, and to please self be willing to help spread the virus ---which in our area is keeping us in Phase 1. Too many people are asserting their own will and opposing the good of the people of our communities ---and surely dis-honoring God. Faithful Christians will know the mind of God in our walk and testimony in this world. The virus is a plague (as God has used at times in history) no doubt as a message to mankind that they need to turn to God, and most likely a forewarning of the greater plague to come, with the "tribulation" time of judgment on this world ---after the Church is called up out of this scene. It may not be far off as we see the bad spirit of rebellion toward God spreading in this world.

I think it's safer for all gatherings to be closed because we all have different levels of faith. I can have enough faith to attend church assemblies and hold unto scriptures like Psalm 91 that assures me of protection against plagues but another person may not believe it and he will be venerable because of his unbelief. For the sake of others with less faith, your Church has done the right thing by closing its doors for now. You can fellowship online through Facebook, instagram or YouTube.

Moonlight sonata said:

Ok, so I’m far from the perfect Christian and I really don’t want to be judging others. But, why has the church ignored Hebrews 10:25 during this pandemic? It’s like bowing down to the government, and it happened almost without question. I don’t know of any churches that remained open during this time in my nation. Isn’t there supposed to be a separation of church and state? Aren’t we called to care for the sick? But instead, we closed our doors. I can’t see the early church being like this. Have we become luke warm? I’m disappointed, not only the church but in myself (I have myself have been lukewarm, even cold lately). I am worried about my salvation because I feel my heart has become cold and I have neglected my relationship with the Lord and fallen into backsliding ways. I need good teaching right now to get back into a place of right standing with God, but I’m really really disappointed at how the church and government of the day have become seemingly intertwined like this.. it makes me to not want to go back to my church again. Am I being too harsh? And how do I find an independent house church?

Click to expand...

Spoken gently but to be frank, your relationship with God is between you and Him when all else is stripped away. From your post, you've defaulted, like most of us tend to do, to the "they" part of the discussion, "Why aren't they doing it right?" So I feel the need to ask, what would doing it right look like to you? Is there a reason you aren't doing that? Is it time to get heated up, to stir up that wonderful gift God gave you, and maybe ask what He wants YOU doing? I suggest it should be the way we live daily, not just when a pandemic or scamdemic or whatever it turns out to be jars us out of our routine. Maybe we needed jarring. Do you have a Bible? You've got the message. Study and share it.

Your question is indeed valid. As much as we can, it makes sense to keep Hebrews 10.25 in mind, since it helps us to be in fellowship and in a place where we can encourage each other. Interactive Bible studies are going on virtually during this time as we work through what indeed is happening out there, as many aren't quite sure what the right thing to do is as far as large social gatherings. This platform can perform some of that too, that is when we don't deteriorate into proof text wars instead of staying in that place of shedding light and encouragement to stay the course.

Be encouraged and take this opportunity to repent and do those right things. You won't regret it.

As others have answered, "Moonlight sonata," many of the churches that stayed closed did so because they felt that the threat to the health of the worshippers and people they would then come into contact with required it. Not, therefore, because of bowing down to the government edict simply because there was one.

As for "independent house churches," there are directories for such places, but these "house churches" are most often "fly by night" undertakings and are almost always led by people who mean well but are not ordained ministers and not well trained. So what you get is little more than a group of people with different ideas exchanging those ideas like you'd find with many unsupervised Bible Study groups rather than a church.

FutureAndAHope said:

Hi,

I don't think the church has done the wrong thing. The bible commands us to obey our government. If we rebel against them, we are rebelling against the commands of God.

Churches have adapted, our church still meets over zoom, and Facebook. It is not rebelling against Hebrews 10:25.

If we were to keep holding services, it shows we are not submitting to our governments as God commands us. It would give the world the right to condemn us.

Click to expand...

I'm torn on COVID-19, as there's no right answer. I don't want to stir up division as per Titus 3:9 but I must address the importance of us gathering, not being individually deceived before the falling away.

We've overlooked this: I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Roman 16:17

Are we being disciplined?
For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. 1 Cor. 11:29-32

The thing is For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 1 Cor. 11:7

I can't tell if this is the antichrist, because the whole concept is so smooth or the disciplining of the Lord. Mostly the rules that were mandated were as a result of people desiring to wear masks/restrict their own movement. In bondage and blindness they were, in such they led and were led.

Here is 3 scriptures of promises and power we're losing by not gathering:
Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:19 - Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

"For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth." ** Here's my question, if we can't do anything against the truth... then why are we forced to conflict with the scripture:
For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God?

I'm really struggling with following governors directions since he has "the sword" for reason, and discerning when we have to stand up for the gathering and the Word. Satan is cunning, I doubted it would be a direct attack on the church otherwise everyone would know and repent.

sunshineforJesus said:

I believe it was out of safety and obeying the laws of the land.I have heard of pastors
getting fined for having church services when they werent supposed to,and some people even complained about a lot of cars being in the church parking lot when the praise team was having a practice.

Click to expand...

Brother, those pastors would & should have counted themselves blessed for being found worthy to suffer for the Kingdom of God. I was surprised at the churches response, I cant speak against them as not to cause judgement on myself. I hope/pray he's raising up another generation who will stand in adversity, for the fields are plentiful and the workers are few.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:10
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Luke 6:22

You get the gist.