Tony Spell has church in spite of the ban

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Scott Pitta

6,059 Americans have died of covid-19 so far. I doubt their families feel it is a hoax or overblown or that their loved ones died due to biased press coverage.

Compassion and care is needed during this pandemic more than inefficacious criticism.

Like Tony Spell said what about the 100,000 of babies aborted everyday???... of course the families wouldn’t feel like that because they have emotion tied up in it... the facts are still the facts and we are shutting the world down for a big “ maybe. “..... Sweden didn’t shut down and there numbers still ain’t to bad percent wise.

[james34]

Many are pointing to the church services that Tony Spell is holding as a danger, saying that," He is putting people In harm's way and creating a potential avenue for the virus to spread.

People of faith point out that God is a healer and has power over the plagues, and all reverence should be toward him. The fear of death seems to be the manipulating factor in the disagreement.
People of faith(not all professed Christians have faith), ...

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage...20&version=KJV

...profess a christian cant leave this walk of life without God allowing, neither can a person hold on to this life when God calls their number.

The other side of this argument (those against Spell)seem to ignore the above facts and believe they can by natural means retain their life. Or that assembling in faith toward God, is actually tempting God....citing(Christian's walk out in front of mack truck=christian dies).

Here is where I take issue,
Consider the sneaky way in which a politician, in order to get funding for something like "planned parenthood ", will try and sneak it in with some omnibus package that is being presented for a cause that would have the general consensus of the people.
The omnibus bill(to keep the government from shutting down) in the scenario is used as a cover to keep the focus of attention away from the planned parenthood funding.
People are saying that the present social distancing requirements are not specifically meant to persecute the religious in prohibiting them from congregating. They compare how other public gatherings, such as sports events, bars, or fitness centers are also shut down and therefore this proves the church h is not specifically being singled out.

But, What if, the Church is the entity ,that the state is most desirous to be hostile toward? Is the Church the the last of the "light of God ", which light the darkness hates?
-Reason- because it shows forth its evil deeds.
-This is the motive that puts the government in opposition toward the Church. This is the driving factor in the war to exterminate Christianity. Not because of fault. But because we point to one in whom their is no fault. We profess that where he stood is where all of humanity must stand or be lost. He is the mark. They found no fault in Jesus but they still killed him, The Just One.

the Coronavirus pandemic has been purposely blown out of proportion and in order to begin a more direct assault against religious liberties, other businesses were shut down to distract from from the shut down imposed upon churches.
There is an idea being floated about the various news agencies, that once the economy and businesses have shut down for long enough, that the impact will be to great to overcome and many business will stay closed for good. This I believe is the hope of the government toward the church.

Oh , just be content with online streaming and internet church, someone might say.
Do you really think that in the present politically correct atmosphere, wherin crosses, which make no sound, have been legally and forcibly removed from water towers in many small towns across the US (by the FFRF) with the state legal system presiding over the cases, that live streaming of bible preaching and church services have a long term future.
The writing is on the wall.

[coksiw]

So you see this not as a right or wrong thing and good testimony towards God, but about politics and conspiracy theories we need to overthrow.

This is of course with the assumption that you can't have church and obey the Hebrews verse, unless you gather a large amount of people in a building and they hear the voice of their theocrat (term Spell used in recent interview referring to himself).

[james34]

Originally Posted by coksiw

So you see this not as a right or wrong thing and good testimony towards God, but about politics and conspiracy theories

This is of course with the assumption that you can't have church and obey the Hebrew scripture, unless you gather a large amount of people in a building and they hear the voice of their theocrat (term Spell used in recent interview referring to himself).

This of course under the assumption internet church/live streaming of biblical preaching has a long future. I have no evidence that points to government tolerance of these services in the future as some suggest. If you believe you have "Rights" that will be honored by a country that has turned against God, Well that's what they call "drinking the KOOLAID" .

Facebook and other social media sites already limit free speech, what arguement do you offer , of "protection" on any platform requiring a government controlled internet connection?

Or, perhaps you believe in home church? I lean toward this being the will of God.
In this case all of this other stuff is just an obvious indicator of the Kings of the earth giving their power to the beast(Satan) , whose will is to make war with the saints of God. I think these things are a reminder of the times we live in. When the devil stood at the foot of the woman,(and his effort was fruitless) he went to make war with the remnant of her seed....when religion(most church house style gatherings, prayer in school, existence of family in the mainstream, marriage, morals)have been driven from mainstream society, including online platforms(which is all but accomplished) the enemy will put in the hearts of political leaders to crack down on house churches, in an effort to erase any reminder of God from the face of the earth.

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by james34

This of course under the assumption internet church/live streaming of biblical preaching has a long future. I have no evidence that points to government tolerance of these services in the future as you suggest. If you believe you have "Rights" that will be honored by a country that has turned against God, Well that's what they call "drinking the KOOLAID" .

Facebook and other social media sites already limit free speech, what arguement do you offer , of "protection" on any platform requiring a government controlled internet connection?

First, small gatherings, as the church under persecution did, is a totally possible way to still gather with the body of Christ. Small gatherings are still OK, and you won't be blamed of flooding the hospitals.

Second, this is a temporary situation, not a ban on church. You may argue that it is going to be too long or there is a conspiracy behind, but if I see that after a while I can't gather I would myself start having house churches (in fact, I have already started having small gatherings to worship, seek God and teach with extended family, still under 10, though).

Third, God allowed the technology and the interconnection we have to speed up the spread of the Gospel and also to bring the end. In places where persecution is high and little amount of Christians, people come to Christ and grow through broadcasting, and have received salvation as in Acts 2:38. See testimonies from overseas. If God gave us the interconnection technology, use it, it is in his will.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by coksiw

First, small gatherings, as the church under persecution did, is a totally possible way to still gather with the body of Christ. Small gatherings are still OK, and you won't be blamed of flooding the hospitals.

Second, this is a temporary situation, not a ban on church. You may argue that it is going to be too long or there is a conspiracy behind, but if I see that after a while I can't gather I would myself start having house churches (in fact, I have already started having small gatherings to worship, seek God and teach with extended family, still under 10, though).

Third, God allowed the technology and the interconnection we have to speed up the spread of the Gospel and also to bring the end. In places where persecution is high and little amount of Christians, people come to Christ and grow through broadcasting, and have received salvation as in Acts 2:38. See testimonies from overseas. If God gave us the interconnection technology, use it, it is in his will.

There is already a church ( not apostolic ) being attacked by the media in Sacramento for having house church with small numbers.

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by coksiw

First, small gatherings, as the church under persecution did, is a totally possible way to still gather with the body of Christ. Small gatherings are still OK, and you won't be blamed of flooding the hospitals.

Second, this is a temporary situation, not a ban on church. You may argue that it is going to be too long or there is a conspiracy behind, but if I see that after a while I can't gather I would myself start having house churches (in fact, I have already started having small gatherings to worship, seek God and teach with extended family, still under 10, though).

Third, God allowed the technology and the interconnection we have to speed up the spread of the Gospel and also to bring the end. In places where persecution is high and little amount of Christians, people come to Christ and grow through broadcasting, and have received salvation as in Acts 2:38. See testimonies from overseas. If God gave us the interconnection technology, use it, it is in his will.

Do any of you remember pastors who took a stand against the internet?

Are some of these pastors that preached against internet, now preaching ON the internet?

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

There is already a church ( not apostolic ) being attacked by the media in Sacramento for having house church with small numbers.

Yeah I can see the enemies taking advantage and going for all heads.

[coksiw]

[1Co 13:2-3, 13 NKJV] 2 And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. ... 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love.

You can have tons of faith, but love is greater. Show me that you care, before you show me how much faith you have.

[Scott Pitta]

We cancel church during blizzards. The roads are too risky for safe passage. When the roads are clear, church services resume.

We are in the middle of a pandemic. Most Apostolic churches decided to cancel services. When the pandemic is over, service schedules will resume.

It is as simple as that.