Powerful Photos: Example of Christians Worshiping Peaceably Under Difficult Circumstances ‘Faith’

Jamie Pantastico writes for Mesa Bible Study

by Jamie Pantastico

On April 15, 2020

‘For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.’

I Corinthians 12:12-14

‘Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. ‘

Acts 20:28

 

As America deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, our leaders regardless if they are saved or not, regardless of political affiliation they are making decisions “on the whole” for the safety and benefit of everyone.

Until the time comes when our government make laws or decrees that are complete opposition to the Word of God we are to submit ourselves to our Government.

In Romans 13:3-5, we have the reason why we have a government?

‘For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. ‘

Romans 13:3-5

It is crystal clear that believers are to subject themselves to our government because they are placed in their positions by God Himself.

 

MUST SEE These Powerful Photos Prove Faith Is Undefeated by the Pandemic: The Church of Jesus Is Not a Building

 
As Christians around the US and around the world are forced to practice social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pastors and believers are adapting to the loss of Sunday gatherings. These powerful photos prove that the Church of Jesus is not a building, it’s His people. And the God who offers salvation for each individual is still able to meet with you one-on-one, whether it’s the middle of a parking lot, or in your own living room.
 

George DeCola, of Richmond, talks with someone who drove up for a prayer at a shopping center on April 2, 2020, in Richmond, Va. DeCola, who is a worship leader at a Lutheran Church offers prayers for those wanting spiritual guidance. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

A prayer vigil for all the healthcare workers at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital is held in the parking lot by hundreds of members of Belin Memorial United Methodist Church and members of the Murrells Inlet, S.C., community holding signs, praying and singing in support of the hospital staff April 2, 2020. (Jason Lee/The Sun News via AP)

Victoria Cornell waves her arms in prayer during a drive-in Easter service Sunday, April 12, 2020, at the Happy Gospel Center Church in Bradenton, Fla. The outdoor service was an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

 

In this Sunday, April 5, 2020 photo, a Palm Sunday community-wide drive-in worship and prayer service is held at the 411 Twin Drive-In in Centre, Ala. (Joe Songer/The Birmingham News via AP)

Lone Star Cowboy Church Lead Pastor Randy Weaver raises his hands in prayer during a live stream of their Easter service Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Montgomery, Texas. The service was held in the church’s empty dirt arena where normally thousands would have attended but could not due to social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Pastor Paul Marc Goulet prays to people in their cars at an Easter drive-in service at the International Church of Las Vegas due to the coronavirus outbreak, Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

People hold up their hands in prayer at an Easter drive-in service at the International Church of Las Vegas, Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Las Vegas. The church held the service where worshipers stayed in their cars due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Prayer is seen written in chalk outside of the Calvin Presbyterian Church, on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Zelienople, Pa. Parishioners were not attending the church for the Easter services that were being streamed on the internet because of the concern of spreading the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Churchgoers attend an Easter service in the parking lot of Xtreme Harvest Church in San Antonio, Sunday, April 12, 2020. Many churches are adapting their services as Christians around the world are celebrating Easter at a distance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Pastor Jon Duncan of Cross Culture Christian Center greets a congregant before giving a prayer outside of Bethel Open Bible Church in Lodi, Calif., Sunday, April 5, 2020. Cross Culture Christian Center, a church in California’s Central Valley that said it intended to still gather for worship, canceled its plans Sunday when someone changed the locks to the building. Duncan told congregants who drove to the church for Palm Sunday service that the building the church uses for services was shut. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Pastor Jon Duncan of Cross Culture Christian Center kneels while giving a prayer to a congregant member parked outside of Bethel Open Bible Church in Lodi, Calif., Sunday, April 5, 2020. Cross Culture Christian Center, a church in California’s Central Valley that said it intended to still gather for worship, canceled its plans Sunday when someone changed the locks to the building. Duncan told congregants who drove to the church for Palm Sunday service that the building the church uses for services was shut. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Keeping to safe social distance guidelines, worshipers pray at their own vehicles as they attend an outside drive-in Easter service at the Living Word church due to the coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

People gather at the Mount Davidson Cross in San Francisco, Sunday, April 12, 2020. Mount Davidson’s annual Easter Sunrise Service was canceled for San Francisco’s shelter in place orders over coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Around the world, Christians are still finding ways to express their faith. People pray in their cars during an Easter Monday church service in a meadow in Sonsbeck-Achterhoek, Germany, April 13, 2020. The sermon of the priest, who is standing on a stage, is transmitted via loudspeakers. (Arnulf Stoffel/dpa via AP)

 

Thank you for reading.

Please consider sharing this post on social media.

 

Jamie Pantastico

Mesa Bible Study

Faith, Sine Qua Non

“What is Not Properly Understood can “Not” be Properly Applied”

 

 

 

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What Saith the Scripture?

Most problems in interpreting Bible passages arise from neglecting a passage’s context. The guiding principle of sound interpretation is to take a passage literally. Not maintaining this discipline, interpreting Scripture becomes made up, man’s idea, fantasy, and the passage can mean almost anything. The result is erroneous and ridiculous interpretations.

Another important principle to sound Bible interpretation is to read Scripture “in-time”. In other words, we have to read and study the Bible as a progressive revelation. Not getting ahead of God’s revelation.

God’s plan of redemption for mankind wasn’t revealed all at once to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, or any of the other old testament prophets. Not even Peter and the eleven were given the full counsel of God. The Lord revealed to each of the aforementioned what they needed at their particular time in Biblical history. A hermeneutical method that does not approach Scripture as a progressive revelation leads to erroneous interpretations.

To be a good bible student one must maintain a literal, grammatical and historical (in-time) hermeneutic. There has been much too much of man’s theology governing Scripture when it is God’s Word alone that reigns over theology.

 

Z

Who's writing?

Identify the author of the book and passage.

Z

Who is the author writing too?

Who is the audience? Yes, all Scripture is for us but not all of Scripture is directed to us our salvation and doctrine (how to live our daily lives). To say all of Scripture is, is erroneous interpretation.

Z

When was the Book or Passage written?

This is necessary to identify the time and historical context.

Z

What were the circumstances when it was written? (what was going on)

Z

What was going on before and after it was written?

What happen before and after the particular Book or Passage you’re reading?

Z

What is the HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE VERSE?

Where does the Bible verse fit in Biblical history. Use the answers from the list of these questions to identify the “historical context”.

Z

Are there other passages that the Author has written to help expand on the verse your reading?

Z

Utilize the full counsel of God to illuminate the passage

All of Scripture fits perfectly.

 

The Good News

salvation

Salvation is a FREE GIFT from God. You don’t have to do anything but believe by faith that God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead 3 days later.

THE GOOD NEWS

SALVATION

Salvation is a FREE GIFT from God. SALVATION IS BY FAITH ALONE & FAITH IS BELIEVING WHAT GOD SAYS.

  1. God declares all mankind sinners and we all fall short of Glory of God. Romans 3:23
  2. The payment for our sin is death. Romans 6:23
  3. But God…because he loved you so much sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to die in your place, for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later. 1 Cor 15:1-42cor 5:21

All God asks is that you believe by faith alone in 1, 2, & 3. That you’re a sinner, separated from God but God sent his Son to die for your sins, was buried & rose again 3 days later.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Do You Believe?

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