City Going After Another Home Bible Study

Saints just got an email from a friend. Venice FL is prosecuting a family for hosting a weekly Bible study in tbeir home. Attended by no more than 10 people. Case very scaled down compared to Phoenix.

Again there is a growing pattern of these cases that are reflecting a hostility toward the the things of Christ. And that here in America. The devil knows that when persecution comes that the remnant will meet in homes. Thus cities are starting test cases to control or make home fellowships illegal.

Someone may want to post a link to FOX News on this case..

Bearmaster.

Again there is a growing pattern of these cases that are reflecting a hostility toward the the things of Christ. And that here in America. The devil knows that when persecution comes that the remnant will meet in homes. Thus cities are starting test cases to control or make home fellowships illegal.

This is absolutely going to be happening but we must learn now to be less obvious and to still meet as brothers and sisters in the Lord. This is part of the burden of www.gospelfellowships.net that we have just started to encourage the meeting of brothers and sisters together.

Family Faces Fines for Hosting Bible Study

A Florida family is facing fines for hosting a weekly Bible study in their home – an act that city officials argue violates zoning codes.

Shane and Marlen Roessiger, of Venice, Fla. are facing a $250 per day fine for hosting Friday night prayer and Bible study gatherings that are attended by as many as 10 people.

“It is difficult to understand how it is illegal to have a prayer meeting on Friday night with a half dozen people but it is alright if I invited the same group on Monday evening to watch Monday night Football,” Roessiger said. ...

read more: http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/family-faces-fines-for-hosting-bible-study.html

I saw the interview yesterday about the Venice incident. What is at stake here isn't necessarily persecution. It is a sign ordinance for residence. In this case Residence complained about it and there is a 30 yr old law on the books that deals with this. It is my thought that maybe he should see about putting a sign directly on his house or find out from the city what is legal? Deadn.

Why would it be necessary to have any kind of sign to advertise a prayer meeting? The Holy Spirit is more than able to lead those who have a right heart and attitude of desire to pray effectually. I think this sort of thing is very exiting. It means we have to learn wisdom from above and be happy with being a hidden people.

Is it persecution? It is I believe persecution and reflects the fact that unbelievers have been biting their tongues as well as checking their inclinations to reject Christ. The fact that a 30 year old signage law is the basis for this complaint is neither here nor there. It is just a basis it isn't a reflection of the heart of the man who made the complaint. If the brother in question does get fined, it may well be equal to his loosing his job when he cant feed his family because of a fine.

John if this were a random case over a sign. Then yes. One might argue persecution complex. The thing is this Venice case is set against the backdrop of a pattern of other cases occurring across America. In the forum we have discussed the Phoenix Arizona case with Michael Salmon and the couple being fined in San Juan Capistrano for having a Bible study in their home. Gilbert, AZ does not allow Bible studies to meet in homes in tbeir corporate limits. Pacific Justice institute evidently can document other cases.

In most, if not all, of these cases the issue is zoning. Claiming the targeted Bible study is not a zoned for a church. Yet the community will allow for a home to have a weekly football or poker get together. Therein lies the inconsistency. And of course the community will be ever so sly to claiming they are not denying anyone freedom of religion.

In certain restricted nations governments will use zoning and delopment laws to disband house churches and bull doze church buildings. This happened to a church in Moscow a few days ago. A church was bulldozed for land redevelopment.

My own opinion is certain communities are targeting select Bible studies and house churches to see how far they can go at control. Perhaps I am being paranoid. But a ground work may be laid that will make house churches illegal. For when persecution comes the remnant will meet in homes. And these will be the ones the government will shut down.

Again. Just my thoughts.

Bearmaster.

Perhaps I am reading too much here. But it does seem like a pattern of these cases are emerging in this country. Perhaps someone with more internet savy can correct me.

Bearmaster.

Ginny good observation. No doubt that someone could put up a sign promoting their favorite political candidate or football team. And for that matter a sign saying their house is for sale. But advertise a Bible study or promote prayer, the authorities are at your door.

Again I ask the forum. Is it my imagination or are we seeing an increase in these type of cases?

Bearmaster.

John read the article on FOX Mobile. Need to think on this before weighing in again. But still think another agenda is at work here. Ok. Call ne paranoid.

Bearmaster.

In retrospect as I think about this FL case and the Michael Salmon case in AZ. I wonder if these people did not bring grief upon themselves. And then cry persecution. In the AZ case the man built a structure which violated city code. And in the case of this couple there is a big cross outside tbeir home which can be an offense to neighbors. Somehow I do not think this is what Paul meant when he spoke of the offense of the cross.

I do believe there is a hostility toward the things of Christ in this country. And I think it will get worse as the days grow more evil. Their will be persecution. But let us not invite unnecessary grief by doing unwise things. For an example. Street preaching.. Make sure one complies with the necessary requirements. Get the appropriate permits. Make sure your sound system and language are not offensive. If hosting a home Bible study where a certain number of people will be attending. Check with the neighbors. Make sure parking will not be an issue. Even invite them to the study. By all means check with the code and zoning boards and make sure the study can meet without problems.

Going the extra mile in these things can save a lot of unnecessary grief. And be a good witness of Christ. Persecution is going to come. But let us not invite unnecessary grief by doing unwise things. Jesus did say to be wise as snakes and innocent as doves.

My revised thinking.

Bearmaster.