03/15/20 UNDERSTAND YOUR SITUATION

03/15/20 UNDERSTAND YOUR SITUATION

Correct me if I am wrong, but there is no US Government mandate today that stops Christians from gathering and worshiping.

There is NO government directive not to have church. Even if they shut every sanctuary door in America, that does not stop believers from gathering, worshiping, studying. It may close buildings, it may limit size of gatherings, but it does not stop believers from being the church and doing the work of the church.

Christians are not kept from gathering as a church, simply because numbers or location or programs are forbidden. AT THIS POINT, THERE IS NO PROHIBITION ON MEETING, WORSHIPING, STUDYING.

My point in asking the question is to dispel the false reports and fear mongering that is being stirred by both the un-churched and the churched people. There is no government directive forbidding church gatherings at this time. Even when there is such a law and even when there are armed guards at the chained doors of sanctuaries, the church will still meet, albeit in a different fashion.

It is true that this is a great time to minister to the unsaved people who might be stirred to ask questions about salvation. It is also true that many of those people are not going to be interested in going to a "church" building to find the answers to their question. It is also true that those people will probably not find many places that can help them in the future.

This is why the western church today needs to be more Biblical in its view of Christianity and evangelism. I still believe in meeting together in designated, dedicated buildings, but I also realize that the modern, western form of Christian churchmanship is not based on a New Testament model. I also know that there is more to online discipleship than simply proclamation of salvation. This is where we as the church need to use our opportunities, buildings, technologies to reach and teach the people.

AND REMEMBER, THE MEETING HOUSE IS NOT THE CHURCH. The Building of God is not brick, wood, pews, steeple. The Church is the Body of Christ. Christians must get away from thinking of the church as being a physical building where believers meet. The CHURCH is the Body, Bride and Building of Christ.

Later today I reposted an article (from January of 2019), which I wrote concerning the nature, model and work of the church. I hope folks read that article.

(to D... I was not sure what you were saying, but here are some thoughts that might relate).

Remember, the church is "the people of God," not a building. There are some people who cannot go to a building (attend a public service), therefore the church (the people of God) should be able to make it possible for them to be part of worship, study, fellowship, ministry opportunities. When a church is under government attack, the believers need to be able to meet in a location other than a designated building. Christians all over the world understand this Biblical truth better than western, modern Christians.

Also remember, most of the people who "go to church" are nowhere near being part of a real church. Church is a relationship, not a building, not geographical location, not a denominational organization.

When an oppressive government padlocks the doors of a "church building" then no one is going to be, "going to church." Only when believers understand that CHURCH is the gathering of a local body of believers, who are of one mind, holding to the one true faith.

There will come a time that there will be government oppression across this land. God's people are not married to church buildings, but rather they are surrendered and faithful to Jesus as the only Head of the Church.

Four posts after this one I posted an article that focuses on the nature and mission of the Church. I hope folks will read it. It is mostly Bible references. One of the great weaknesses of modern and western Christianity is Biblical Ecclesiology.