By Joseph Mattera
Lately, the news media has highlighted how many churches in
America are refusing to obey the law related to the restrictions of public
gatherings of any size. Some of the reasons churches are refusing include the
fact that many older congregations have not come into the 21st century in terms
of the usage of technology. This is resulting in very little giving via online
platforms, such as church apps. Another reason is because some churches believe
it violates their First Amendment rights, taking away the freedom of speech,
religion, and right to assemble. That being said, the following are reasons why
I believe the churches should obey the law during this pandemic:
1. There is no violation of the First Amendment.
There are many ways we can communicate and preach the gospel as
a church outside of Sunday gatherings. If the State forbids the preaching of
the gospel on the internet or airwaves, then our First Amendment would be
violated. Since there is a prohibition against all public gatherings, not just
church gatherings, our First Amendment is not being violated.
2. The State is assigned by God to protect its citizens from
harm.
In my opinion, the present lockdown does not violate biblical
jurisdiction. Scripture shows us that one of the primary callings of civil
government is to protect its citizens from physical harm (Romans 13:1-8).
3. Churches cannot control the physical health of Sunday
attendees.
In every gathering there is a mixed multitude and there are
usually a large percentage of believers who have serious pre-existing
conditions, (this is especially seen within older congregants). Many within our
churches struggle with obesity, diabetes, heart and respiratory conditions.
Having a congregational meeting puts all these people at serious risk. It is
not the church’s role to mandate preventative health measures and lifestyle
changes as a requirement for attendees. The best church leaders can do is to
promote and practice a healthy lifestyle. Since we enjoy being in proximity to
one another, practicing physical distancing can be very difficult in a church
setting.
4. Churches cannot be responsible for the faith level of each of
their attendees.
Some Pentecostal preachers who move in miracles, think it is an
affront to their faith to cancel services. However, in my opinion, this is a
lack of biblical wisdom. We cannot impose our faith on every person in our
church. Scripture teaches us to grow in our faith, which implies that not every
person has a high faith level (2 Thes. 1:3, Romans 12:3). Not every person has
the faith of a person like evangelist John G Lake,
who laid hands on the sick during the Bubonic plague without getting infected.
If a pastor believes he or she has enough faith to walk in miraculous health,
(this type of faith usually takes time to develop), such a strong faith level
does not automatically get imparted to others. Even churches that exude an
atmosphere of great faith still have people in their congregation who are sick.
5. Churches are hurting their reputation with outsiders.
Scripture makes it clear that spiritual leaders should have a good
reputation with those outside the church. Even Jesus walked in favor with God
and men (1 Tim. 3:7; Luke 2:52). Pastors and churches who violate the
prohibition on public gatherings, give their adversaries the ability to paint
the whole church as ignorant, dangerous outliers who do not care for their
neighbor.
6. Churches are not loving their neighbor.
Instead of just gathering on
Sundays, the church should be focused on releasing their congregation to love
and serve their neighbor. Thankfully, many Christians are obeying the command
to love their neighbors during this crucial time. We see incredible acts of
service as some are volunteering to serve health
care workers food and refreshments. Others, like Samaritan’s
Purse, are going directly into the line of fire. Samaritan’s
Purse has set up a makeshift hospital in Central Park, NY. Millions
of individual believers are looking out for their friends, family, and
neighbors who are at risk. Let’s not forget that there are thousands of
Christians who serve on the front lines as doctors, nurses, EMT workers, first
responders, etc. They are risking their lives and daily walking out their
faith.
7. We should not test God.
The devil tempted Jesus to hurl Himself down from the top of the
temple, referencing Psalm 91 as a reason why Jesus should do it. Jesus answered
the devil by quoting another Scripture which forbids people from tempting the
Lord (Matthew 4:5-7). We see many instances in Scripture where Jesus touched
those who were sick. For example, Jesus touched a contagious Leper (Mark
1:40-44). What is the difference between these two situations? The former was
an unnecessary risk to prove God’s ability, and the latter was out of an act of
obedience to Jesus’ assignment. The Leper approached Jesus, not vice versa.
Jesus discerned it was a divine opportunity to illustrate the compassion of God
for an unclean social outcast. Christians who constantly cram ultra processed
food down their throats, and practice unhealthy lifestyle patterns, are
intentionally violating natural law. Although God can still heal these people
supernaturally, it is a matter of stewardship to not intentionally place
yourself in need of divine healing.
8. Christians are also called to be good citizens and obey the
law.
Paul makes it clear that believers should obey the laws and
submit to civic leadership (Romans 13:1-8; Titus 3:1-3). When we do not do
this, we become part of the problem instead of the solution. We must always
endeavor to be the salt of the earth and light of the world. Only when the
civic law violates our faith, then are we called to practice civil
disobedience, just like Peter did (Acts 4:18-20).
9. A Quarantine is a biblical concept.
The Scriptures are replete with examples of people being
quarantined. In the Old Testament, during the night of the Passover, God
commanded whole families to be quarantined so the plague would not strike them
(Exodus 12). In addition, if somebody was deemed unclean, they had to be
removed from the congregation for a period of time (Leviticus 13-15). Lepers
were also separated from the assembly of the Lord and quarantined (Numbers
12:1-15). Hence, this is a biblical principle that is necessary during a
proliferating societal contagion. Pastors who ignore this call by our officials
to quarantine, lack understanding of the full counsel of God when it comes to
health and preservation of life.
Finally,
may the Lord grant the churches creative ways of strengthening the
infrastructure of our communities during this season, so that when we do
congregate, we will be stronger than ever!
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