His congregant died due to COVID-19, but Tony Spell still plans to keep his church open while asking for people's stimulus checks.
Although Oneness Pentecostals would spurn the label, Barba explained, this belief aligns closely with the “prosperity gospel” ― which proposes that God grants health and wealth to those who are faithful in just the right way.
“Given Pentecostal ideas about giving, there is no doubt that Spell and others would believe that giving either some or all of the stimulus money would result in a blessing back from God,” Barba said.Busloads of congregants arrive at Life Tabernacle Church before Easter services on April 12, 2020.on March 22 directing all residents to leave their homes only for essential needs. Houses of worship are not on the state’s list of essential infrastructure.
Local police charged Spell on March 31 with several misdemeanors for defying Edwards’ orders. But SpellBarba noted that Spell’s approach to the pandemic is an exception among Oneness Pentecostal denominations, most of which have published statements about heeding the government’s directives. Still, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t received support from his fellow Oneness Pentecostal pastors watching from the sidelines.
“They themselves have not nor will not risk the course of action that Spell has taken, but they indeed admire that he has taken a stance in the name of religious freedom,” Barba said.last week, Spell was asked to hypothesize about what he would say if one of his parishioners eventually died of COVID-19.Spell toldStay up to date with
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