Christianity has always been despised, with few exceptions, as a threat to the status quo! Let's look at an example:
Acts 4:1 "And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand."If it were not for persecution of Christians Christianity would still be a middle-eastern sect of the same stature as Zoroastrianism! Rather than denigrating those who persecute us, we should be thankful for Christ's sake. Persecution seems to be the method God has chosen to make his children multiply; and it has been effective! It's not that God causes persecution, but he allows it!
Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."If we bear our persecution, it appears that we are to be rewarded! No, it's not seventy-two virgins, but it is even better than that! It's eternal life with God in heaven. (Note: Those virgins would have to be sea hags to service an old bearded sweating Arab who kills people for joy!)
Mortal persecution is being "baptized in blood". It's those who have died for righteousness sake. Required reading for all Christians, especially in this time, is Fox's Book of Martyrs. Starting with the apostle's who died in persecution for their faith and ending with those who are currently dying for Jesus' name, puts the entire idea of dying for Jesus into perspective! Even in this civilized world, pagans are as bloodthirsty now as in the dark ages.
But look what happens with persecution. The leaders of the synagogue (church), the people and the government all joined hands, had that meaningful "conversation" which evil people seem to always have; then ended the conversation with persecution. Why? Because they "being grieved that they taught the people" (verse 2), truth as it was! The truth about Jesus and the resurrection! How silly a notion that Christians believed the eternal life myth (sic)! These so-called do-gooders in the name of evil were some of the first "PC Police". What the disciples were teaching was at odds with popular thought. It was their own thinking which was "right", and they were so intolerant that they could not even allow others to have their own thoughts! The same as now, free speech is what speech the opposition deems correct.
Nothing has changed today! We still have the PC Police and it's still not "politically correct" to talk about Jesus unless it is using his name in vain! Why? Christ is a threat to the very existence of those who are in rebellion to God's will. People say they like "hope" and "change". If they truly desired that, it would be Jesus they seek out, not bloviating politicians! These thought speech are still here today and are always ready to challenge the truths which threatens their own pleasure.
The authorities "laid hands on them" (verse 3). This wasn't a laying on of spiritual hands, but the hands of dark forces. However, the power of principalities dims in contrast to the Holy Spirit. The disciples were led to jail, for their own protection, of course, until the next day! The people heard what the disciples did and favored what was said, but because the teachers were persecuted, five-thousand believed. Persecution makes church growth because it contrasts evil with righteousness! Discerning people can see good and it's truth that has more power!
John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."Ironically, as the teachers of truth were confined, their bondage set five-thousand free! "Persecution" is a multiplier: (a few) x (persecution) = (many). Right now I am a Christian because my antecedents were persecuted. Those persecuted at Pentecostal opened the gate for my own belief because they grew overnight!
Today, we're being persecuted more than ever. It comes after a lull in church growth. However, the more liberal churches, progressives, the government and Islam hates us, the more the people will seek truth. The fat lady has yet to sing (Sorry! Not PC), and the kingdom of God will grow until we're raptured. Then the persecution by the church, government and a terrorist reign will kick into high gear! One promising thought! Those dead in Christ and those living won't see the end-of-time persecution. We'll be safely in heaven where the PC Police can never harm us!
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