Posted on 07/25/2020 12:18:03 PM PDT by EliRoom8
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: (An outstanding letter follows)
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Excellent! May every church follow...
Good for them! Tell Comrade Governor to kiss their ass.
God almighty in Heaven, please protect and preserve these two pastors and bring down the evil Newsom and his regime. Amen.
May God protect these brave men.
Maybe one of these churches has someone who do an EXORCISM on NEWSOM’S twisted brain and clean him up. Or better yet, just make him disappear....
Some will think such a firm statement is inexorably in conflict with the command to be subject to governing authorities laid out in Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2. 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.
The letter.
check!
In America, We the People are Cezar. The government serves We the People. Many have forgotten this.
Nice to hear a member of the clergy has a spine and stands up for his flock.
For a monthly check for watching jeopardy all day and night. They also have everyday American citizens by tye short hairs with “health insurance”. For free healthcare and a monthly check there isnt much most wont submit to.
They own our halth access and our wealth access.
And we allowed it.
By the way, MacArthur is a relative of General Douglas MacArthur.
Maybe God can give Newsom the Nebuchadnezzar treatment.
FINALLY some pastors standing up for the constitution if this pussy governor can let THOUSANDS protest in the streets to destroy businesses and destroys property they can go to church PERIOD!! SCREW NEWSOM!! Can’t wait to get the hell out of this state!!!
A Wesleyan?! Awesome!
..good for Dr. MacArthur and any group of believers who understand that government has gone way over the line—Biblically and Constitutionally...
While over at the Catholic Church diocese headquarters throughout California, the wearers of the pointy hats continue to sit on their pompous asses and say absolutely nothing. If they were alive 2,000 years ago, they likely would have sat quietly by as Jesus was condemned to death.
Nice statement by MacArthur and the church here:
When I was first saved the young adults’ bible study I attended used to listen to John MacArthur tape series. Looking back, I am so thankful—learned a lot from him and the Bible-believing, Bible-teaching assembly where I first learned Christ. The most important lesson was to consult the scriptures and to rely upon them for spiritual wisdom and direction.
Now, 34 years later, I continue to value Johnny Mac’s insights. I have forwarded his letter to the elders at the assembly where I fellowship and pray they will follow his example.
It is my belief that the church is being given a test here (a mild one just now, compared to what other believers are facing in the world). As His bride, we must stand for Christ. Is He not deserving of our faithfulness?
I also disagree with such all-ages unequivocal restrictions (though in our MA state I think it was 10 people, and many or most Prot. churches wish they had 50 showing up), but the argument can be that just as the State - in the interest of the safety of the commonwealth - has authority to require building permits in order for places of indoor public (and private) gatherings, so for the same reason it can restrict or forbid occupancy. However, there is not real warrant for disallowing meetings in large places in which couples and families and others can practice social distancing, inside or outside.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.