Now you have to help them spy on you!
Democrats must be drooling on the floor as they watch this–Communist China now requires Christians to register with the government on a “Smart Religion” app, and report themselves every time they go to church (https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2023/03/11/china-requires-christians-register-app-attend-church-services/).
Ah, “Smart”! Whenever you hear that word from any government, turn around and quickly walk the other way.
And it’s not just Christians: Muslims and others also have to register. The state is going to track all “religious people,” 24-7. Ain’t technology grand?
God will judge this.
The NSA can already track every movement and phone call we make if we have a smart phone.
There’s that word “smart” again. People who want “smart”… are stupid.
Scary stuff.
I am currently writing a book dealing with four biblical doctrines. In one of the chapters, this is a portion concerning “church” buildings.
“…Christians during the first few centuries did not bring their donations and offerings to “Church” buildings where they met each week, for they had no such buildings (designated as used only for church services for 200 or 300 years after Christ’s resurrection).
The early church did not spend any money on buildings, upkeep, improvements, or maintenance as the modern church does, for they did not own physical structures to bring offerings or conduct services. Home-based worship was their modus operandi (Acts 2:46)…”
Many Christians in China and elsewhere still do this, hold “church” services in their homes. And all Christians in China, and other countries should probably go back to the biblical way of “church” worship and order, home-based worship.
Part of the problem for many, is, thinking the building where they meet for Sunday service, is the Church. God no longer dwells in a building, but in people, we are the temples of the living God, where He resides, as written in I Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19; II Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:22.
Problem, though–some places here in the USA don’t allow house churches. Don’t ask me how they can make that stick.
You make a great point. We do not need a special place, in order to worship. In the first century, it was all but impossible for Christians to meet, other than in very small groups, and informal settings. From what I understand, the same is happening today, in Iran, where interest in Christianity is on the increase and the government is actively attempting to suppress Christian worship.
The home churches are precisely what SloJo’s friends the Chicoms are trying to wipe out.
Here is the answer brother.
Below is part of a message I taught when our city “locked” down our town on a Sunday in 2021. I still attended the service that Sunday. I can send the whole file to anyone who wants to read it. Just email me at: eldermike547@yahoo.com
Christians Do Not Need to Ask or Get Permission/license from the Devil
(Government officials) to Gather Together
Why Haven’t Christian Pastors and Business Owners
Resisted Unlawful Protocols and Edicts Issued in 2020 & 2021?
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Daniel 6:10
I believe Daniel had no second thoughts about praying to his God, even when he knew the consequences, he would be lunch for the lions. His loyalty to God took precedence in his life. Nothing came between his duty to God, and certainly not a decree signed by a king. Before this event, his priorities were in place, his study of the Scriptures, his prayers, and all duties were aligned, thus, no matter what he did in the King’s realm or business, everything was subservient, obedient to God’s law, and no edict from any man, official, or King, could make Daniel violate his loyalty, nor allow it to come between him and God.
“And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence” (Esther 3:2).
Mordecai understood duty to God came first. And this “reverence” he was required to grant Haman, was more than just a way of honoring him, but amounted to giving him worship. He could honor the king and those whom the king placed in charge, but worship them, never. Gods’ law has precedence over all of man’s laws. Any law which violates God’s Law is an unlawful decree or statute and must be resisted and opposed.
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego understood their duty and service to God, even if death was the result. No earthly power has lawful authority to sever this bond between man and God.
“Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? … Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:28-29). The apostles, many in the early Church, and millions of Christians down through the ages have been martyred because their first allegiance was to God, whose law reigns supreme.
How do these accounts and examples apply to us when we face unjust laws and edicts? What should our response be?
Christians do not need permission from anyone, the mayor, governor, king, government officials, president, or any authority, to gather together for any reason or purpose or worship. We do not need it, nor should we ask permission to gather for worship. No person, government, nation, or country on earth, has the lawful authority to forbid Christians from worshiping our God, where, and whenever we choose! No reason or emergency trumps or supersedes God’s law, or our duty to serve and obey Him. (Obviously, we can’t just decide to hold a worship service in the middle of a busy street.)
When any government, province, parliament, assembly, legislative body, or any official attempts to enforce an act that violates a Christian’s duty, his free exercise of religion, they become the lawbreakers. They are doing something unlawful and evil.
All lawful authority and power issues forth from God. Before Christ ascended, he gave commandment unto his small band of disciples. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples or Christians of all nations) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observed all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:18-20).
Well said, Mike. Everywhere in the world, humanity’s God-given freedom is under attack. Christians should be first in line to resist.