That is the question. We understand that Christians meet together on the first day of the week: Sunday. It is a blessing to them!
Paul instructed Timothy, "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart," 2 Tim 2:22. It's not that believers are to avoid all contact with unbelievers (first, it's not possible, 1 Cor 5:9,10; second, it's not desirable, Mt 5:16); but God designed us as social creatures, and He uses social contact to encourage His children to remain faithful, Heb 3:12,13! And so it is that we meet on Sunday, promoting love and good works, and encouraging one another, Heb 10:23-25.
But it is far more than a simple time of encouragement; it is a day set aside to worship the Lord! After describing how the Lord's Supper was instituted by the Lord Himself, Paul continued, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes," 1 Cor 11:26. In saying "as often," Paul indicates there is some frequency in which it is to be observed; and in Acts 20:7a, Paul illustrated that frequency, when he met with the church in Troas, "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…" In a way similar to how the Jews met each Saturday, Christians met each Sunday for the purpose of taking the Lord's Supper--a day that accordingly became known as the Lord's Day, Rev 1:10.
If at all possible, we are to meet together with other saints; but it is more than an obligation, we should want to gather! Again, it is a blessing from God: as King David wrote, Psa 122:1 "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'"
Some time ago, the President recommended that all Americans avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people; but Alabama only restricted groups of 25 or more at the time. So, on Sunday, 3/22/20, we met together--less than 25 of us, never shaking hands, never touching one another, using hand sanitizer and soap, and yet, worshiping God with happy hearts! It's true, the unleavened bread was in separate paper cups, just as the fruit of the vine was in separate plastic ones, but we each took part in the Lord's Supper!
Many in the state were willing to give up their God-given privilege at this time. What will happen if persecution should come, when death for meeting as a church is not just remotely possible, but probable? "For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry," Lk 23:31?
However, effective the next Saturday evening, 3/27/20, the governor of Alabama ordered that all non-work related gatherings of 10 or more people, and all gatherings where it wasn't possible to maintain a 6-foot separation between each other, was prohibited--and it would be enforced with a fine.
Now, if human authority comes into conflict with God's will, God's Word must always take precedence, regardless of consequences, because "We must obey God rather than men," Acts 5:29b; cf 4:19,20. That Sunday, we did not meet as a church. Should we have ignored the governor's order? I would suggest there are several things to consider.
Certainly, we need to constantly be aware that this this kind of civil authority can be easily abused, and be prepared to stand against any encroachment on God's authority; but at this time, and in this current crisis, the governor's order does not come into conflict with God's Word (it does not cause us to sin)--so we are required to obey it: Rom 13:2 "Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."
