by Stephen Halbrook
As churches close left and right for a relatively benign sickness (yes, a low mortality rate), let us remember the requirement in Scripture:
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
We are not dealing here with the Black Death. Thus, if the state tells us not to assemble to worship, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29b). (As with the flu, we take reasonable precautions to protect the elderly from the Coronavirus — but this differs from canceling worship.)
Christians individually and the church corporately will weaken spiritually as it forsakes the assembling, as this is a means, as shown above, of provoking “unto love and to good works.”
Moreover, this climate of fear is a golden opportunity for Christians to reach the lost. But if the church doors are closed, then to a large degree the light is being suppressed.
Finally, let’s note that it is dangerous for Christians to meet in persecuted countries (even more dangerous than the Coronavirus). Should they stop meeting because it’s “unsafe”? Think about it.
Moreover, should we just cancel services all year-round because of potential car accidents, or other sicknesses, such as the flu? We really need to think about this deeper.
Here are some more thoughts on the topic of cancelling services by Paul Ellis: “Should we close the church for the coronavirus?”
If you find this site helpful, please consider supporting our work.
