The Outbreak and the Church PART 3.
Firstly, let me start by saying that all the measures taken by various governments are good since they are aimed at saving lives and to curtail the spread of Covid 19.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to obey civil authorities (Romans 13: 1 -2). However, disobedience is justified when such authorities ask us to violate any of God’s laws and commands. Since social distancing is not aimed at restricting christrianity or any of it’s related activities, we should focus more on it’s benefits.
Therefore, we should see this measure as a good development since it is put in place to check the spread of this deadly virus. In view of this, the church can still meet and have robust and fruitful meetings in small groups like the early church – which was very organic in nature.
Unfortunately, many Christians today think of a church as only a ‘place’ where large numbers of Christians meet. Such thinking is not entirely correct because it does reflect the actual position of the Bible on the subject!
During meetings, christian congregations should not only be restricted to offering prayers alone. They should also take concrete and proactive steps to stop further spread of this virus among their members and the communities where they are located.
Lastly, it is our prayer that God will use this challenge to bring many to the saving knowledge of Christ.
Blessings,
Moses George, ThD
Download an artcle by Moses George: COVID 19 – Is the Bible Still Relevant Today?
Short and precise. Christians must have and they must be intelligent too. Salvation is not foolishness or stupidity.
Thank you and God bless you.
Christians must have faith and must be intelligent too.
This is great Point. I am benefiting from your insights. May God richly bless you
Professor Moses, thank you very much for your wonderful clarification and encouragement to the Church in the midst of this messy situation and trying times, where some believers have even lost hope and question the sovereignty of God. It is an erroneous kind of notion that most believers have about the Church as only limited to a structural building where believers in Christ converge on designated days for worship. This kind of notion was foreign to the apostolic Churches. House-churches, in fact, are the most effective means of evangelization.
Dr. Moses, great wisdom as always.
It is important for us Christians to apply the teachings and injunctions of the Word of God in our daily endeavors -obeying constituted authorities (Romans 13:1-7, Titus 3:1) The early church met in clusters having meaningful house fellowships.(Acts 2 -4). Their example is worthy of emulation and we should always remember the words of our Lord Jesus “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18: 20) So covid-19 should not discourage us because we have the assurance of our Lord Jesus(Matthew 18:20, 28:20, Hebrews 13:5)