I know this post may ruffle feathers.
It may cost me relationships.
Some will disagree with me, and that’s their right.
But there are times when remaining silent would trouble my conscience more than speaking.
Over the past few days, I’ve watched the discussion surrounding the incident involving Rev. Tony Spell. I’ve listened to the explanations. I’ve read the comments. I’ve watched the longer video. I’ve tried to understand both sides of the argument.
And after doing so, my spirit remains grieved.
Before I go any further, let me be transparent.
I was raised in Apostolic Pentecost. I’ve attended Apostolic churches for more than five decades. I love the Apostolic message. I am not writing as a critic looking for faults in the movement. I’m writing as someone who considers himself part of it.
I fully understand the claims that the individual involved had allegedly harassed Pastor Spell, his family, and members of his congregation for years.
If that is true, it is wrong.
It is sinful.
It is inexcusable.
But the question before us is not whether the alleged harassment was wrong.
The question is whether the response was appropriate for a minister of the Gospel.
Those are not the same question.
What has troubled me most is not the incident itself.
What has troubled me most is the number of Christians defending it.
I have seen people compare this to Jesus cleansing the Temple.
I respectfully disagree.
Jesus cleansing the Temple was not a personal dispute. It was not retaliation. It was not settling a score with someone who had offended Him. It was a prophetic act against corruption in God’s house.
The same Jesus who overturned tables also allowed Himself to be mocked, falsely accused, beaten, and crucified without retaliation.
As ministers and Christians, we cannot build our theology around one moment of righteous indignation while ignoring a lifetime of teaching on forgiveness, self-control, mercy, and loving our enemies.
In fact, I keep finding myself drawn back to Paul’s words in Romans 12:
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Those words are not written for people who are being treated fairly.
They are written for people who have been wronged.
They are written for people who have been insulted, mistreated, falsely accused, provoked, and hurt.
Paul does not tell believers that evil is acceptable.
He does not tell them to pretend wrongdoing never happened.
But he does tell them that vengeance belongs to God.
That is precisely what makes these verses so difficult.
Anyone can be gracious when treated kindly.
The true test of Christian character is how we respond when we are treated unjustly.
The question is not whether someone was provoked.
The question is whether the response reflected the teachings of Christ.
As believers—and especially as ministers of the Gospel—we are called not merely to avoid evil, but to overcome evil with good.
Perhaps what troubles me most is that many of the same people defending this behavior would condemn it if it involved a church member, a politician they disliked, or someone from another denomination.
Our standards should not change based on who commits the act.
A person’s title does not make an action righteous.
Being a pastor does not place someone above accountability.
In fact, Scripture teaches the opposite.
Pastors are called to a higher standard, not a lower one.
You may disagree with me, and that’s okay.
But I cannot watch this unfold, watch Christians celebrate it, and pretend that I am not deeply troubled by what I have seen.
I pray for everyone involved.
I pray for truth.
I pray for healing.
And I pray that we never become so loyal to personalities that we lose our commitment to biblical principles.
Because in the end, the question is not whether someone was provoked.
The question is whether we are willing to hold ourselves—and those we admire—to the same standard Scripture requires of everyone else.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21
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