Shaye Spell, wife of pastor Tony Spell, flashes wads of cash as she waits outside the East Baton Rouge parish jail. Tony Spell was arrested for flouting lockdown orders during the coronavirus pandemic: AP

The Apostle Paul was jailed in Rome for preaching that Jesus Christ was God. Some 2,000 years later, another evangelist - Louisiana Pastor Tony Spell - was jailed for trying to hit a protester with a bus.

While legend holds that Paul was eventually beheaded by Emperor Nero, Mr Spell will have to suffer no such fate; his wife, Shaye, flashed $5,000 at the local jail, made bail, and brought her husband home.

Spell has been in the news for defying state stay-at-home orders for the purpose of holding his church services. He believes his church should be recognised as an "essential service" and that the coronavirus is politically motivated.

The pastor has been under scrutiny by the state for continuing to hold in-person church services despite state social distancing guidelines.

WAFB 9 News in Louisiana reported that Spell was taken into custody and jailed in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Tuesday. He was released later that day after his wife bailed him out.

Shaye Spell, wife of Lousiana pastor Tony Spell, flashes wads of cash as she arrives at the East Baton Rouge parish jail to post bond for him following his arrest for flouting coronavirus lockdown orders (AP)

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