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Notes on Regathering - Biblical Principles and further links

Below are some notes with biblical principles discussed on this Elder Q&A Video

GCBC PURPOSE STATEMENT: This church exists by the grace of God, for the glory of God, which shall be the ultimate purpose in all its activities. (Ephesians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31)

APPLIED TO “RE-GATHERING* SAFELY, LEGALLY AND IN UNITY FOR GOD’S GLORY”:
*Re-gathering may be a better biblical term than re-opening? (ex: Ps 47:9, 102:22, Acts 4:31, 14:27, 20:7, etc.)

SAFELY FOR GOD’S GLORY
Rom 11:36 “to God be the glory” is followed by Romans 12 (renewed thinking, soberly, with loving preference to needs and concerns of others) and 13:9-10 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law…” (NKJV, note v. 4: protective authority for our good)


Note also how Phil 2 leads to God’s glory (v. 11) starting with v. 3-4: “in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (ESV)

Acts 20:28 “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood… 35 …we must help the weak…”

Prov. 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

God’s pattern in Ps 78:53 “He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid...” [Exodus context after plagues]

Jer. 32:37 “I will gather them [Israel]… bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety.”
Jer 29:7 “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” [context is Israel’s exile under very oppressive Babylonian government]

God’s Law – honor elderly (Lev 19:32), protection for your house lest someone hurt and you’re guilty (Dt 22:8)

LEGALLY FOR GOD’S GLORY
1 Peter 2:12–18 “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you
should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (compare Matthew 17:24-27, Acts 5:27-29, Romans 13:1-6)

Titus 3:1 “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people

IN UNITY FOR GOD’S GLORY
Rom 15:5 “…live in such harmony with one another…that together you may with one voice glorify God…”


Rom 14:1 tells us “not to quarrel over opinions… 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother… 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding… 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God.”

 

Below are some links mentioned in the Q&A:

 

https://www.9marks.org/message/pastoring-in-a-pandemic-episode-10-how-christians-throughout-the-ages-have-responded-to-plagues-pandemics-with-michael-haykin/

https://www.gcb.church/blog/post/meeting (Questions about home or other gatherings)

https://www.gcb.church/blog/post/the-role-of-church-and-state-in-a-health-crisis-part-2 (discusses religious rights and constitutional questions)

 

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