I am herein providing you a link to read John McArthur’s statement as to the decision Grace Community Church in California has asserted.
First, I have not always agreed with every stance John McArthur has made (and certainly if we were to enter dialog, he would find stances to be at odds with me); still, I am confident in calling him, my Brother. And today I whole-heartedly agree with him and stand with him and Grace Community Church, praying for The LORD to uphold them, protect them, and glorify Himself greatly through them.
Today I read his article that I am urging you to read as well, particularly if you are a church leader. I will give you a portion to get you started and ask you to finish up at the Grace to You blog.
Christ, not Caesar, Is Head of the Church
Friday, July 24, 2020
A Biblical Case for the Church’s Duty to Remain Open
Christ is Lord of all. He is the one true head of the church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18). He is also King of kings—sovereign over every earthly authority (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16). Grace Community Church has always stood immovably on those biblical principles. As His people, we are subject to His will and commands as revealed in Scripture. Therefore we cannot and will not acquiesce to a government-imposed moratorium on our weekly congregational worship or other regular corporate gatherings. Compliance would be disobedience to our Lord’s clear commands.
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.
However, while civil government is invested with divine authority to rule the state, neither of those texts (nor any other) grants civic rulers jurisdiction over the church. Click HERE for the remainder.
