07/14/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CcnKUeETs/
ARE YOU FED UP WITH THE PASTOR TONY SPELL CONTROVERSY? SO AM I — By Samuel Smith — First, I want to address the critics who try to provoke me for attempting to bring reason and balance to this matter. I have no "skin in the game". I do not know Pastor Spell personally, I have never met him. The American Apostolic movement is a large diverse body. Although I am a rock-ribbed Apostolic, in my eighth decade of life; I am more sure of the Apostolic message than ever. However, I do not move among the Apostolics who share Pastor Spell's interpretation of some of the physical disciplines that he adheres to. I am sure he would never invite me to his pulpit, because of my facial hair. However, I have no problem moving past that, in fact, I respect him for his loyalty to his convictions, and I can easily still support him during this great trial in his life. Because.
I can expect the world to pile on him, but, I am shocked that so many Apostolics would be so eager to judge and condemn a brother in Christ, without fully knowing the extent of the long history of this matter, or at least having some degree of discernment, when to speak, and when to be silent, and wait, without heaping more condemnation and pressure upon a brother in Christ . Some are calling him to resign, never pastor a church again, and even wishing him to go to jail. Some calling him a jerk, and a bully. These hang their hats on one verse, Jesus saying to turn the other cheek; when the correct rendering of that scripture was never meant to tolerate physical harm, but, not retaliate when humiliated. To die for a cause, to die a martyr is one thing; but, to stand by and allow a pervert to r**e and kill your children is another thing. Remember, when a crowd threatened to stone Jesus, he fled; it was not time to die, he chose when He would lay down his life. No man would take it away from Him until He was ready to lay it down for the cause that He chose. You may humiliate me, and I believe I am ready to die for Christ, but, I am not going to allow a bully to kill me and my loved ones just for his fun of it. It is about the cause, about the purpose. It is about the why and the when.
For those who misinterpret Matthew 5:39 "turn the other cheek", what do they do about Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that you be not judged". What about restoring your brother, if you think he is wrong, according to Galatians 6:1. What is wrong with just keeping your mouth shut until you know all the facts and pray for your brother?
I cannot put myself in Pastor Spell's place to judge him; first, because Jesus said not to. Second, if I feel he is wrong I should go to him to restore him, according to Galatians 6:1. How many of his Apostolic judges, the keyboard warriors, have called him and prayed for him; telling him where they think he is wrong, and offering godly correction? Hmm?
I have followed this story since the 2020 Covid epidemic. No other pastor in America was arrested, put in house arrest for 2 years, made to wear an ankle monitor, his church and house surveilled by police cameras installed in a corrupt neighbors house, and spend thousands of dollars for attorney fees. All that, and afterwards, he was legally exonerated. And the governor's lawyer admitted that he did nothing wrong by keeping his church doors open for worship during the pandemic. Since the end of the Covid epidemic, the facts have come out, that all the nonsense about social distancing, vaccines, closing schools and churches was useless. Pastor Spell was not only legally correct, but ethically correct in keeping his church open. But, I remember many Apostolics piling on him at that time too. They rushed to judgment then also. Shame on them.
The spirit of anitichrist is loose in our world today and the devil is not finished; there will be more attempts in the future by other rogue overreaching govenments to come after our churches; but, thank God, we now have legal recourse the next time, because Pastor Spell's case has provided "legal precedent" for church independence from government overreach. He should be "respected" among all Apostolics instead of "reviled".
Now, six years after Covid and for no good reason, the police still surveil his church and his house with cameras set up on the neighbor's property. These same neighbors who for years have taunted and threatened him, his family and congregation with profanities, vulgar gestures, and threats of physical violence . Finally, Pastor Spell had enough when the threats evolved to ra**ng his wife and killing his grandchildren. Many of his congregation support his claim that there have been multiple complaints made to the complicit police with no results. One photo shows the neighbor standing beside a police car on his driveway, grabbing his crotch and flipping off members of the church across the street.
Finally, Pastor Spell didn't wait for the threats to r**e and kill to materialize, he charged across the street like a real man would to defend his wife and family. Sadly, only a few in this effeminate new age will understand. Pastor Spell was still on the public sidewalk when the kid threw the first three punches; after that, Pastor Spell let loose. We have not experienced for six years what Pastor Spell has experienced, only God knows his heart. But, we are commanded not to judge, but, to pray for our brother.
Now, I want to direct my commentary to the keyboard warriors, who are so willing to involve themselves in this matter, and ask them, where is their "activism" otherwise during this unfolding end-time drama; Nigerians being killed daily for their faith, Pakistanis churches being burned, child-sex trafficking epidemic across our nation, radical Islam growing everywhere in America, and all the nations prophesied to take part in Armageddon, are lining up before our eyes. I never hear a prayer request from any of them who are so quick to cry "crucify" in this instance. I never see a word on facebook about their concern for those suffering for Christ, or prayer for this nation to return to God, or a request for prayer for their lost loved ones. I never hear a peep out of them about revival, the hope of America. Their life-styles are totally worldly, always photos of condos, vacations, cars, houses. pets, and their personal stuff; little thought about eternity. Some of them never miss an opportunity to criticize Apostolics at any occasion. They have no credibility in this instance.
Until one aligns with an Apostolic church and supports it with their attendance, prayer and finance. they are just another nasty voice in the crowd crying "crucify". They like to quote scripture; let me quote two for them: "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16). And "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). When they bear fruit of assembling together, praying fasting, giving, and forgiving, then their opinions will matter. Until then, they are just singing from the same songbook of the world.
"And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends" (Zechariah 13:6).
For more on Samuel Smith: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BbQBuSZay/?mibextid=wwXIfr
