Bulldozing churches... this is where its heading

[dhchristian]

The second Article linked is also worth reading as well, I did not copy that one here. 

https://www.toddstarnes.com/faith/chicago-threatens-to-bulldoze-churches-lawyer-says/?utm_source=wnd&utm_medium=wnd&utm_campaign=syndicated

https://www.toddstarnes.com/faith/pro-trump-pastor-says-chicago-mayor-used-kgb-style-tactics-to-intimidate/

The lawyer representing two churches in Chicago fighting the city’s coronavirus guidelines said he never thought he’d see the day when city leaders would threaten to bulldoze a church for allowing its congregation to worship.

That day has arrived.

Matt Staver, the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, said Wednesday that churches that he represents have received letters from the city’s Board of Health that declared them “public nuisances.”

The term may not seem like much on the surface, but he said, legally, it opens up these churches to a lot of problems. Staver read the letter on air that said the department “has the power and duty to cause all nuisances affecting the health of the public to be abated.” Staver said the letter threatened a “summary abatement,” which is legalese for the destruction of the facility without any judicial process or further notice.

Staver said the rule of law in the state is clear He said if there’s a summary abatement for an animal “you just take them down” and if it is issued for a building you “simply bulldoze it.”

He said the addition of the word “summary” is telling. That means the city can do anything it wants to stop the nuisance.

Staver said the order was issued just a day after President Trump came out and said churches were essential. He also pointed out that the Justice Department filed its own brief in Illinois challenging all the statewide orders.

He told the “Todd Starnes Radio Show” that his organization filed a request for an emergency injunction pending appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. He said the motion will be headed to the desk of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

“We need some immediate relief while this case continues to go on, because this can go on at any moment,” he said, comparing the summary abatement to Damocles’ sword.

Rev. Cristian Ionescu, the pastor of one of the churches, Elim Romanian Church, told the “Todd Starnes Show” earlier that he has been hit with citations already for violating the city’s stay-at-home order.

Metro Praise International’s Pastor Joe Wyrostek told NBC Chicago that his church was also hit with a “summary abatement” if they continue to defy orders and hold services with more than 10 people.

“We are very disappointed with all of this, including not being considered as essential in the beginning, as a church,” Wyrostek told the station.

PRO-TRUMP PASTOR BLASTS CITY FOR ‘KGB-STYLE’ INTIMIDATION

Staver said one of the Facebook Live videos filmed from outside Ionecu’s church apparently picked up the sound of nearby gunfire. The city has been criticized of devoting its police force to monitoring churches, while it is still plagued by violence.

Todd Starnes, the radio show host, said the actions by the city are just “unacceptable.” 

 

 

[Daniel Marsh]

"

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - PASTOR CRISTIAN IONESCU

JUNE 25, 2020 BY CRISTIAN IONESCU 2 COMMENTS

Dear brothers and sisters and dear friends everywhere,

I would like to inform you that personally and my family and also Pastor Adrian Tișe and his family feel good and thank you to all those who are sincere for your prayers!

Two weeks ago, as a result of some members of our families experiencing certain symptoms, together with Pastor Tișe we decided to quarantine ourselves!

We did this for two reasons: first, we never braved ourselves by saying that we could not get sick, and second, out of respect for the health and conscience of others!

I did not hide this; Our relationship with the Elim Church has always been transparent and the public announcement sent through Pastor Doru Gîrboan was clear and complete!

That during this period, so-called journalists allowed themselves to read between the lines, to comment with common sense and to insinuate connections between things that have nothing to do with each other, they did it to their shame!

Whether we get sick or not, this has nothing to do with the reopening of churches and we are still the most responsible and protected places for public gatherings!

That people chose different forms of socializing and relaxing precautions, this was normal and to be expected!

Moreover, recent protests have massively defied all forms of social distancing and ostentatiously ignored any form of precaution, under the approving eyes of the same journalists and politicians who were on the verge of death as Christians gather at church!

The double standard and their arbitrary attitude remain the most illogical and disgusting acts associated with this pandemic!

Addressing the vast majority of those who have contacted and commented on this situation, we thank you for your support and prayers, we want to assure you of our integrity and transparency and we promise that we will continue to be consistent with the principles and actions that they have united us and motivated us so far!

Bless the Lord!
We hope to be together again on Sunday in the fellowship of the Elim Church, still respecting all the rules of protection and precaution!"

https://popaspentrusuflet.wordpress.com/2020/06/25/comunicat-oficial-pastor-cristian-ionescu/

 

In my opinion, getting the virus has everything to do with it.    Just because protestors are doing something wrong does not justify their church doing wrong. 

 

[Daniel Marsh]

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW
4 IUNIE 2020 DE CRISTIAN IONESCU 2 COMENTARII

No, I’m not going to be philosophical about police brutality, riots and destruction and the discriminatory 1st Amendment application to peaceful protests vs violent protests a week later!

But I want to be biblical! Because everything that’s happening is predictable! We should have seen it coming!

A generation without virtues, that is what our education system has created! Being mere animals without a moral compass and without absolute truths, this is our jungle culture, a place where nobody is safe! Don’t forget, at the basis of the evolution theory is brutality!

Abortion devalued life, entitlements devalued hard work, obscene and profane entertainment devalued civility, the disintegration of the family and the discrediting of the church devalued authority and the environmental and socialist policies devalued freedom and patriotism!

We live in a man made society and it’s not pretty!

Whatever societal structures man creates without God, this will always lead to anarchy, followed by tyranny and poverty!

What escapes our politicians, mainstream media, entertainment industry, educators and many religious leaders, even in this crucial hour, is that whatever is wrong with this country is their own doing, their project!

They’ve perpetrated this for decades, they’ve been in control of these institutions, cities and states for many years, they’ve spent our money with abandonment, they’ve changed the laws and they’ve altered the fabric of this nation, they’ve reinterpreted the Constitution, they’ve redefined values and morals, they’ve defiled the sacred and now they ask for more power and control, more time, more money, more of what they’ve done already to destroy these places!

Not only are they not taking responsibility for the disasters they’ve created, they’re blaming us!

And they want to export their recipes, that is… spread the misery everywhere else!

I don’t know how this particular crisis is going to end, but it’s not going to end well, unless…

Unless we the people pray, repent, turn to God and vote these ruthless, Godless and shameless liars out of office! It is biblical and it is right!

Maybe it’s not too late…

https://popaspentrusuflet.wordpress.com/2020/06/04/you-reap-what-you-sow/

 

I think it is best to let them speak for themselves

[Daniel Marsh]

Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church Chicago

Turns out they are a cult known as Untied Pentecostal,  I wonder what problems they caused in the past.

 

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ro&u=https://www.elimro.com/index.php/media-resorces/live&prev=search&pto=aue

[Daniel Marsh]

https://www.google.com/search?q=bad+reputation+ELIM+ROMANIAN+PENTECOSTAL+CHURCH+CHICAGO&sxsrf=ALeKk02nHASt2BOG2YRwIAvBivsGMle8Mw:1594583699025&ei=k2oLX4qKAYf-tAWJgrqYBw&start=10&sa=N&ved=2ahUKEwjKn8eXv8jqAhUHP60KHQmBDnMQ8NMDegQIFxA_&biw=1163&bih=483

The ERPC has a bad reputation.   Here is just one court case involving two churches  Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church v. Pritzker, No. 20-1811 (7th Cir. 2020)

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca7/20-1811/20-1811-2020-06-16.html

[Guest theElect777]

8 minutes ago, Daniel Marsh said:

Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church Chicago

Turns out they are a cult known as Untied Pentecostal,  I wonder what problems they caused in the past.

 

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ro&u=https://www.elimro.com/index.php/media-resorces/live&prev=search&pto=aue

Just out of curiosity here, I quickly read through some of the United Pentecostal beliefs.   Seeing that some of their belief stances I find indifferent from my own views.   But I wonder from your standpoint what makes them a cult?

[Daniel Marsh]

Other churches sharing the same name and denomination are known for having bad reputations in their areas.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/uncivil-war-6413630

expect problems from their school too come spring, https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&pto=aue&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ro&sp=nmt4&u=https://solascripturaseminary.org/faculty&usg=ALkJrhh8weX6O3CcpuPom3wruQ2IRaMCcA

"Romanian Pentecostal Union (RPU) is a non-profit organization (similar to the Romanian Pentecostal Cult), which includes Romanian Pentecostal ministers and churches not affiliated with other American organizations, in order to share and maintain the principles of Pentecostal faith."  https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&pto=aue&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ro&sp=nmt4&u=http://romanianpentecostalunion.com/&usg=ALkJrhgjuyhc7GTGtlgvUNKMTiYSO5fhWw

[Guest theElect777]

6 minutes ago, Daniel Marsh said:

Other churches sharing the same name and denomination are known for having bad reputations in their areas.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/uncivil-war-6413630

expect problems from their school too come spring, https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&pto=aue&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ro&sp=nmt4&u=https://solascripturaseminary.org/faculty&usg=ALkJrhh8weX6O3CcpuPom3wruQ2IRaMCcA

"Romanian Pentecostal Union (RPU) is a non-profit organization (similar to the Romanian Pentecostal Cult), which includes Romanian Pentecostal ministers and churches not affiliated with other American organizations, in order to share and maintain the principles of Pentecostal faith."  https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&pto=aue&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ro&sp=nmt4&u=http://romanianpentecostalunion.com/&usg=ALkJrhgjuyhc7GTGtlgvUNKMTiYSO5fhWw

 

 

 

I am confused here.  This is the list of their beliefs (RPU).

 

We believe:

In the verbal inspiration of the Bible.

In one eternal God who exists in three persons, namely: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. That Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and that today he is at the right hand of the Father as Mediator.

That all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God, and that repentance is a commandment given by God to all men, being necessary for the remission of sins.

That righteousness, regeneration, and rebirth are acquired through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.

In sanctification that follows after being born again through faith in the blood of Christ, through the Word, and through the Holy Spirit.

That holiness is God's standard for the living.

In the baptism with the Holy Spirit that follows the purification of the heart.

In speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gives and speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

In water baptism by immersion and that all who repent must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

That divine healing is for all who are in the atonement of Jesus Christ.

In the practice of the Lord's Supper, followed by the washing of the feet of the saints.

In the second coming of the Lord Jesus before the establishment of the thousand-year reign. first, for the resurrection of the righteous dead in Christ, and for the rapture of the living saints to meet him in the air. secondly to rule a thousand years on earth.

In the resurrection in the flesh, in the eternal life of the righteous, and in the eternal punishment of those who live in unrighteousness.

 

 

I am looking at this list and really do not see anything wrong.   Can someone point out what makes them a CULT?

[Daniel Marsh]

5 minutes ago, theElect777 said:

Just out of curiosity here, I quickly read through some of the United Pentecostal beliefs.   Seeing that some of their belief stances I find indifferent from my own views.   But I wonder from your standpoint what makes them a cult?

Sort answer, they deny the Trinity, and practice legalism.    Their churches tends to have bad reputations as bad neighbors.

You may want to visit ex pentecostal sites to learn more about them.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/expentecostalforums/

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/expentecostalforums/ex-pentecostals-com-org-guestbook-entries-t6601.html

https://recoveringpentecostal.com/

https://www.facebook.com/upcirecovery/

https://carm.org/christianity/testimonies/out-oneness-pentecostalism-david-vivas-jrs-story

 

 

[Guest theElect777]

12 minutes ago, Daniel Marsh said:

Sort answer, they deny the Trinity, and practice legalism.    Their churches tends to have bad reputations as bad neighbors.

You may want to visit ex pentecostal sites to learn more about them.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/expentecostalforums/

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/expentecostalforums/ex-pentecostals-com-org-guestbook-entries-t6601.html

https://recoveringpentecostal.com/

https://www.facebook.com/upcirecovery/

https://carm.org/christianity/testimonies/out-oneness-pentecostalism-david-vivas-jrs-story

 

 

OK, so they believe the Father, Son, Holy Spirit are the One God.   They just preach one person?  Sounds more like semantics here.   As someone who believes in the Trinity, I still cannot find where the Father, Son, Holy Spirit are listed as individual persons.   I still cannot find a specific Greek term that states anyone preached Trinity.   I guess I find it foolish that if a church decides because persons and trinity are not listed in the Bible, so they believe God is One person and manifests they have to be a cult.   Don't we read where the WORD (Eshu/Yeshua) was manifested into the flesh?   Wasn't the Holy Spirit manifested as a Dove when Christ was baptized?   I don't see the need for this argument.   If God called them "after hearing the Word being preached," and they submitted to Christ for Salvation, aren't they just as saved as we are?

Edited July 12, 2020 by theElect777