‘Biblical mandate.’ California churches ready to defy Newsom after Supreme Court ruling
Greg Fairrington, pastor of a Rocklin megachurch that’s been defying California’s pandemic restrictions on indoor churchgoing, opened Sunday’s service by pulling out his cell phone and reading aloud from a fresh U.S. Supreme Court decision.
“There is no world in which the Constitution tolerates a color-coded executive edict that opens liquor stores ... and bike shops but shutters churches,” Fairrington said, quoting the opinion written by Justice Neil Gorsuch.
The pastor then looked out at his congregants at Destiny Church and shouted: “The Supreme Court of the United States of America — yeah! We have a biblical mandate and First Amendment rights!” What appeared to be a large crowd of worshippers, packed closely together, roared its approval....
Perhaps brethren we should not be asking the state for permission to exist by organizing as 501c3 entities. Have we become harlots of the state? God gives us the right to exist and he is our ultimate authority. .We answer not to tyrannical civil magistrates but to our King. Defy this evil upon our land. Stand and fight ye men of God. Our governments are at war with us
Jim Lincoln wrote: —- I never said that church should be treated differently than other businesses. —-
When you constantly criticize church for remaining open (due to covid) but say nothing about any businesses allowed to remain open, then yes, you are saying church should be treated differently. Your dance steps are now known, Jim.
Mike, the quote from Luther had nothing to do with eschatology ❗
I'm not a Lutheran and I don't agree with all their theological points, e.g.,
Martin Luther's Sacramental Gospel by Dwight Oswald
https://tinyurl.com/y5l8polg
An article I have pointed out through the years.
I never said that church should be treated differently than other businesses. Unfortunately, since many of these churches are peddlers of the word that's just what they are. I assume they are going to respect a universal lockdown, however? I don't believe the Supreme Court action outlaws that?
Jim Lincoln wrote: Luther on plagues: "Martin Luther’s pandemic advice goes viral — 500 years later" https://tinyurl.com/y3ohjdft Actually I doubt a few of the peddlers of the Word in California are going to follow Luther's example. Probably many of them are worried about raking in the money. excerpt from, "Supreme Court grants California church's challenge to coronavirus restrictions" https://tinyurl.com/y2sswcjv
Two questions. 1. Do you also follow Luther’s position and believe in Purgatory? 2. Why are you opposed to the Supreme Court ruling according to the obvious meaning of the first Amendment?
Darius wrote: John Lee None of those biblically refute the Hebrews verse. Many don’t even apply . The Hebrews verse is clearly talking to people in the church from what I read. Again your points are all non biblical based opinions
Darius, thank you. You cast off all my points as if they were bird poo on your fishing rod.
However, if you want a serious look at this:
There is a legalistic view of the verse and a spiritually fruitful view of the verse. Let us look at the latter first.
The latter view is excellent, and is a fruit of the Spirit. Because of a deep love in the heart for all saints, there is also a deep desire in the heart for regular fellowship with those saints. And so, to meet together is a desire, a need. This is why I meet together with my fellow saints every week, and have done throughout the pandemic.
The first view of the verse is a legalistic view of the verse, and it is often used by church leaders when people play truant (with good reason), and it seems the only way to gain obedience, by threats of God's judgment. This makes it psychological manipulation, which God does not appreciate. Some churches specialise in this form of oppression.
"Martin Luther’s pandemic advice goes viral — 500 years later"
https://tinyurl.com/y3ohjdft
Actually I doubt a few of the peddlers of the Word in California are going to follow Luther's example. Probably many of them are worried about raking in the money.
Richard Wolf wrote: WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ordered California judges Thursday to follow its lead in blocking stringent coronavirus restrictions on houses of worship, as the high court did in a New York case last week.
The justices' unsigned order sending a California church's challenge back to lower courts likely will stop Gov. Gavin Newsom from prohibiting most indoor religious services....
excerpt from, "Supreme Court grants California church's challenge to coronavirus restrictions"
John Lee None of those biblically refute the Hebrews verse. Many don’t even apply . The Hebrews verse is clearly talking to people in the church from what I read. Again your points are all non biblical based opinions
Darius wrote: John Lee - have you been there and seen the munitions room? Do you know anyone there? They say there is a biblical mandate , no verse listed ? Maybe acts 5:29 , maybe “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/heb.10.25.esv
Darius, my answer to your first two questions is no. If I asked you the same questions, would you also say no? If so, at least we agree on that.
As regards the other question, and the verse which leaders love to use to load up the guilt on escapees, there are a multitude of reasons why some do not attend their local church.
1. They have the bubonic plague, and will not be allowed in the doors.
2. They are in jail.
3. They are armless and legless and no-one can be bothered to bring them to church.
4. They see it as legalistic.
5. They are not a believer.
6. They are frightened of catching C19 from fellow believers.
7. They don't believe the name it/claim it doctrine.
8. They used to attend but were being continually attacked by fellow believers.
9. They don't believe Acts 5:29 relates to the situation.
John Lee - have you been there and seen the munitions room? Do you know anyone there? They say there is a biblical mandate , no verse listed ? Maybe acts 5:29 , maybe “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/heb.10.25.esv
There ya go. No doubt being a megachurch it will have a munitions room, soon to be opened and weapons issued for when the feds come round, and they can have a right ding dong, as happened at Waco.
Didn't Jesus say to go buy a sword (semi-automatic)?
Oh I thought someone said that defending yourself was kosha. Maybe I misread that. Well anyway, the megachurch folks will name victory over the feds and therefore they know they will claim it.
So like lambs to the slaughter, on they go, like lemmings following someone, anyone, unthinking, uncaring, always going astray like sheep, who cannot cease from sin, clouds without water, still living under the OT, disobeying Jesus Christ and new covenant theology, unwilling to be persecuted; better fight back, show those wretches what we're made of; tired of being the tail, we're now the head, and those reprobates better watch themselves.
No wonder mission boards cannot get any takers; there is no love of God for the lost, not even lost feds. Modern man, and modern Christianity, has jettisoned the Bible (those old KJV's were always too heavy to carry) in favour of paperbacks and magazines about weaponry, strategy, and logictics.
Well, if they believe they have a biblical mandate to open their doors and their attendees believe they have a biblical mandate to attend, then absolutely nothing anyone does should stop them.
Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
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