Featured Has California Told Christians, including John MacArthur, to Sin

I attend Apologia Church in AZ. We gather every Sunday. We do not have a church building. We rent. There is a definite hierarchy. We are being fed solid food. We don't just talk, we act. I have been standing in front of abortion mills for more than 2 years (except the summer heat)



God speed

 

What points do you disagree with? I do not see where he has made any error in application of Scripture.
We must keep in mind that The Early Church met in defiance of govt authority. The underground Church today meets in defiance of govt authority.
There is nothing pandemic about this "pandemic "

 

Thank you for your action to stop genocide

 

Yeah, I bet snow is s big problem for them.

 

I think MacArthur believes it has now crossed that threshold. Especially when you see the poisonous race theory indoctrination that's happening simultaneously, and the pass it's getting. The Church is being hindered why an opposing false religion is being empowered.

 

The building is not the church. It is our place of meeting but too often people put the building before the congregation.
There is a business side to the church but too often the business side becomes the focus and main engine of the local church.

When the building and business become more important than the Gospel, the local church becomes secularized and one more non profit club on the block. Membership numbers, bricks and dollars will supercede evangelism, discipleship and worship.

Yep, a return to the basics is needed. Preach, teach, baptize and disciple.
That said, I need to get busy at it.

 

Interesting thoughts, but irrelevant. There are no bans on buildings, but large assemblies. Grace Community is a particularly large congregation, with about 10K moving through their doors every week. I'm sure it's fewer now, even with the rebellion.

The issue is the assembly, which we are commanded not to forsake. This has nothing to do with buildings. If they found a residence to meet at, they'd be shutdown even faster.

 

My thoughts were in response to the previous mention of the emphasis on buildings and business of the church.

I don't believe GCC is deficient in preaching, teaching, or discipleship. Point being that is their focus. They simply have large facilities due to their growth and needs.

I agree with the thought that progressive govt. leadership is "attacking" or "targeting" congregations to close the buildings. Secondly , I do believe they will attempt to close house churches and home study groups.(California)
Let's face it. They hate the Gospel, they hate those of us who love the Gospel.
It appears that California is wanting to lead the charge on this. I suspect other progressive states and counties will save their money and efforts and wait to see what happens.

 

I'll listen to the particular church itself on that issue. They would know better than you.

Of course they would. They would be giant assemblies. They'd get shut down even faster, as they would cause traffic/parking issues in neighborhoods.

 

So, what you are saying is there is no scriptural basis for disagreement with Macarthur. Macarthur does mot subscribe to the "spheres" nearly as much as some reformed theologians.

 

My mom and dad are old also. Both are very high risk. My dad is in the highest risk category. We all are going to die sometime. Though I dont treat death casually, I dont live in fear of it. This "pandemic" does not justify the drastic over reach of govt.
Our founders had seen and knew the History of pandemics well. They did not put a pandemic suspension provision in The COTUS.
Trump, his lawyers, and members of The Justice Dept have told Macarthur he is ok to have service. Newsom is violating COTUS.

 

There is far more going on here. For everyone: check out this video where Pastor MacArthur reads the list of demands by the CA government. Many of these are definitely the government commanding the church to disobey God:

 

I believe the demands by the CA government for churches to meet differ between geographic locations. Based on that understanding, I have been searching for the list, from a state of California source, Pastor MacArthur cited. So far, to no avail. If anyone can supply a resource for that information, it would be appreciated.

 

I think you are right that it depends on the county. I know a Baptist church in a different county which is being fined $5000 every time they meet, but MacArthur's list does not include that.

However, here is a CA gov. website with some draconian demands for churches: Counties Statewide Can Reopen Places of Worship for Religious Services and Retail Stores

 

Thanks John.

I am not certain that the requirements set forth in this document apply to John MacArthur's church. The following excerpts are not as restrictive as Pastor MacArthur stated in the video.

These quotes were found after a cursory scanning of the document. However, they serve my purpose of demonstrating my confusion of what he states without supplying supporting documentation.

https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-places-of-worship.pdf

Shorten services to limit the length of time congregants/visitors spend at facilities whenever possible. This could include limiting speeches, asking congregants/visitors to put on garments at home before arrival, etc.


"Consider implementing a reservation system to limit the number of congregants/visitors attending facilities at a time. This can include the use of digital platforms or other types of tools."


"Encourage congregants/visitors to physically distance themselves from others outside their household, avoid touching surfaces, and to leave the facility if they do not feel well."


"Consider limiting touching for religious and/or cultural purposes, such as holding hands, to members of the same household."

What is your take?