jackson, I agree. I would also point out that none of the following have anything to do with the laws of heath:

1) Face masks
2) Social distancing
3) Sanitizing hand gel
4) Quarantine
5) Absence from church assembly

We have become like sheep without a shepherd--and the shepherds have done worse than merely abandoning the sheep. They have locked the church doors so that the sheep could not even assemble amongst themselves shepherdless!

Face masks hide the Christian's smile, which is both a privilege and a duty to lift the spirits of those around. Social distancing runs contrary to the words of the angel: "Press together. Press together." Hand gel, while seeming to many to be a good idea, isn't. When alcohol or antibiotics are frequently placed on the skin, it kills all of the natural bacteria and makes room for fungal infection to take its place. Quarantining is not a law of health; it is a law of sickness. And sick people should be as welcome at church as anyone--perhaps more so, as the brethren can then become acquainted with their needs and minister to them. The elders of the church can pray for their healing.

We serve the God of Psalm 23 and 91. We serve the God of peace, and not of fear. We need not be afraid of the pandemic--we are told, instead, to be afraid of the fear!

"The Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. . . . Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples. . . . To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:11-20. {7T 153.2}

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Green Cochoa,
I agree wholeheartedly with your statement:


However, we have inspired cousel that we should obey the laws and customs of our society as long as they do not conflict with the Law of God - as uncomfortable and illogical as they may appear at times.



The one sticky point is the prohibition of assemblies greater than 10 people- as is the "law" here in Oregon. This does infringe on our constitutional right of freedom of assembly and right to worship together

Our church has decided that we will use Zoom for our Sabbath School classes and church meetings. We also has a television station connected with our church so our Sabbath services are live streammed .on the internet.

We conduct the Sabbath service with10 or less people, including the camera man, and we make sure that those on camera stay 6 feet apart from each other. If two or more are singing together they stand apart , as well.r. It is all rather silly . but it lets us have a "virtual" church without violating the" laws" of the state.

Jackson,

Just here is where you and I may disagree. I believe that by closing our churches we ARE violating the law of God. This is the time to obey God rather than man. God's Word says we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). Now, if God's word had said that we should not forsake the assembling of SOME of ourselves together, you would be correct in your less-than-ten-person assemblies. But it doesn't. That word "some" is not there.

The online "communion" service was about the most ridiculous thing I've heard of in a long, long time. I am alone in my house, having no church to attend, and no family nor friend present with me. Am I to wash my own feet? Bake my own bread? Bless it all myself? Break it myself? Pass it out to myself?

Most worldly people who drink do not drink alone. There is no joy in doing so. Communion service, without "communion," is what?

Ridiculous.

And it's against Jesus' command to His disciples--incidentally, of whom were 12 present at that time, enough to break the ten-person rule.

When we worship together, it is altogether different from private devotions in some very fundamental ways. Some enjoy listening to recorded ("canned") music. I don't know of anyone who similarly listens to recorded prayers. Do you? It just wouldn't be the same, would it? And yet our music, Ellen White says, is as prayer to God. When we pray collectively, gathered together in one place, we sense a different spirit and power to it than when we are alone.

"Greet the brethren with an holy kiss." So much for the six-foot rule.

Not one of the world's principles for dealing with the current situation aligns to God's principles. Not one. They all seem diametrically opposed to Christian living and to the work which we must do as Christians. There is, of course, a reason for this--and it is the very reason we must be awake and sensitive to our duty in these troublous times.

We might have to move this particular discussion to its own topic, but it is certainly an important one.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

A building does net make a church.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middle of them.

But it is sure nice to have a building to go to on Sabbath morning, where people can gather together in Christ's name.
God created people to need people, isolation is NOT healthy.

What building did Christ go to? The early Christians? Where was the Lord's Supper first held? What are house churches?

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middle of them.

APL -- the problem isn't building or no building.
The problem is ordering people NOT TO GATHER TOGETHER, PERIOD

You can't even gather together in your house or in the park.
Why are laws ordering people NOT to Gather together for worship.

Why even those who stayed in their cars and met together in a "drive in" service had problems with law,

If I gather with my spouse, I have fulfilled what Jesus has said.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middle of them.

Selfish. You didn't gather with me. You left me alone, isolated, without family or friend, and therefore having no quorum with God as you seem to think you have.

I'm less certain you have it either. Jesus said a man and his wife were "one flesh." One isn't two.



You and your spouse are not two anymore. Just one. According to Jesus.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

It is written;

VJohn 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom you have given me, that they may be one, as we are.