Home Bible Study Shut Down

For Pastor David Jones of San Diego, California, Good Friday was not business as usual. A county employee came to the front door of his home and announced that his home Bible study was in violation of the county’s code. Despite stating to the official that their activity was simply a low key study with a few friends, the pastor and his wife Mary received a written warning days later citing them for "unlawful use of land". They were ordered to cease the activity or apply for a major use permit – something that could cost the couple thousands of dollars.

The Jones’ lawyer said, "The government may not prohibit the free exercise of religion. Ibelieve that our Founding Fathers would roll over in their grave if they saw that here in the year 2009, a pastor and his wife are being told that they cannot hold a simple Bible study in their own home." Mary Jones commented, "The implications are great because it’s not only us that are involved. There are thousands and thousands of Bible studies that are held all across the country. What we’re interested in is setting a precedent here — before it goes any further — and that we have it settled for the future." The couple is planning to dispute the county's order this week. In fact, the majority of the founders would likely cringe in their graves if presented with what pastor David Jones faced and continues to contend with.

How very ironic is it to consider that the very Christian foundations and philosophies that built the greatest nation on earth are today viewed as one of its major stumbling blocks? How ironic is it that those who seek to know and live out the Bible’s highest ethical, moral, and spiritual precepts, have become the enemy and the targets of the culture? And how ironic that so many tend to fear godly people more than those who make their own rules and thereby adversely affect others' lives in the process.

Although unpleasant for the individual Christian, attacks on the faith are to be expected – if one is living out his or her faith in an outward dedicated fashion. That theme was made crystal clear to a young pastor in a letter from his spiritual father back in the days of the early church. In 2 Timothy 3 in verse 12, Paul writes, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Again for any faithful and outspoken follower of Christ, resistance to their beliefs and lifestyles should not be unexpected but accepted and even seen as a compliment.

Paul continues on with words of explanation and assurance, beginning in the very next verse. In verse 13 he writes, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” And then in verse 16 he shares that absolute necessity and ultimate value of a biblically based life. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

The persecution of those who truly follow the God of the Bible is nothing new. The Bible informs that the cross of Jesus Christ is an ‘offense’ because it forces man to deal with his own sin and only through the Savior’s own way. The Gospel is offensive and it is exclusive! (Galatians 5:11, Acts 4:12)

But beyond the issue of any individual’s desperate need for personal salvation, those who resist God and bring grief to those who serve Him, are missing an important principle in their rush to remove God’s influence from the culture. This persecution affects them personally but also their nation collectively. It does not take a great theologian to grasp the great truth found in just two Old Testament verses as they ‘say it all’.

“For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish,And those nations shall be utterly ruined.” (Isaiah. 60:12)

“The counsel of the LORD stands forever,The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." (Psalm 33:11-12)

Bill Breckenridge