Online gathering for Sunday worship




Online gathering for Sunday worship


Dear Fellow Christians,

It was nice to gather together in the name of our Lord Jesus online today. I have been debating with myself over the online meeting for some time since the beginning of the Movement Control Order (MCO) by the Government. But with the 2nd extension announcement, I’ve decided to conduct the online meeting although questions may be raised over such a meeting. I hope to address some of these questions below:
1. The Bible did not promote an online meeting.
It is an extraordinary time and this is the first experience for most people, including myself who is 64 years old, that a sort of global lockdown took place. I would relate it to the time of Judges in Chapter 4:1-6, whereby Deborah was appointed a judge. This is abnormal as even in the Bible, out of the 13 judges, only one is a woman. Therefore during such extreme situations, we did not have our gatherings when the MCO was announced, up to the moment of the 1st MCO extension. However, with the 2nd extension, I felt that it is good to gather on Sunday at our respective homes (since we are prohibited to gather at the Assembly premise) and connect ourselves online to break bread and remember the Lord Jesus.
2. The loaf of Bread and contents of the Cup is different for some.

The MCO restricts travel and I do not want to place  additional burden on the Believers over the loaf of bread and the content of the cup if it is not available at home. It would be ideal if you have it but I trust the Lord —
 the Creator of heaven and earth —
 knows our intentions if substituted symbols are used by you during this lockdown. 
 3. The Assembly’s motivation for this online meeting.

The following verses in the Bible guided our decision to conduct the online meeting. We believe that an online gathering is better than none. We can still be in fellowship and encourage one another through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19).


Heb 10:25  
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 (this is why we want to gather together in person, but since as prohibited in Rom 13:1-3, we have this online gathering).

Rom 13:1  
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

Rom 13:2  
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 

Rom 13:3  
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same (this is why we do not defy the authorities to gather in person).

Luke 22:19  
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

 Luke 22:20  
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you (we love to remember Him each week).
I hope the above can help you address questions raised by your friends if the subject of the online meeting is raised. Please be reminded that what we do are our ways of honouring our Lord and other Assemblies have their own ways to honour Him and we do not judge others. I think the 2nd MCO extension will be the last and we look forward to gathering together in person in Wangsa Ukay Gospel Hall soon. I will keep you updated.
With God’s Blessings,
CL

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