Yesterday we spent a few moments looking at our obligations to civil government according to the New Testament. Do those obligations change if we are being persecuted? What examples do we have about our actions then?
1. Quiet compliance when the laws are not opposed to God's Word.
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them (Acts 18:1-2).
Aquila and Priscilla were told to leave Rome simply because they were of the Jewish race. What did they do? They left Rome. I am not sure what difficulties it might have caused them, what hardships they suffered because of the ouster. But that law was not against the Law of God so they did as they were told.
2. Prayers for safety.
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also…When [the escaped Peter] realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying (Acts 12:1-3,12).
If you are under threat for your faith, if you or a brother or sister have been arrested and put into danger, there is certainly nothing wrong with praying about it, or gathering with others and praying together. It is not a lack of faith but a perfectly normal reaction. What else should a Christian do in times of trouble but go to his Father and ask for help, for safety, for deliverance?
3. Flight when possible
When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket (Acts 9:23-25).
There may come a time when we have to run, or when we have to hide. I would say Paul's example, once again, shows us that is not a lack of faith but a very practical response. We know of many such times in history where the early Christians had to do both of those things.
4. Acceptance of circumstance and continuing the work.
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear (Phil 1:12-14).
Paul eventually reached the point that he could no longer run. He was arrested and lived under guard. What did he do? Sit there and cry about it? Ask God, Why me when I have been doing such a good work? No, he just kept working in whatever capacity he could, and trusted God to "give the increase." He knew that to stop preaching would have made the enemy the winner. I know of a brother in another country who, even now, while imprisoned because of his faith, is still preaching and converting souls.
This certainly may not answer every circumstance that might come along, but I hope it will help you think about these things, things that could very well matter in a few years. I pray not, but it's not looking good out there, people. Be prepared and know what you need to do to remain faithful.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! (2Tim 2:8-9).
Dene Ward
1. Quiet compliance when the laws are not opposed to God's Word.
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them (Acts 18:1-2).
Aquila and Priscilla were told to leave Rome simply because they were of the Jewish race. What did they do? They left Rome. I am not sure what difficulties it might have caused them, what hardships they suffered because of the ouster. But that law was not against the Law of God so they did as they were told.
2. Prayers for safety.
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also…When [the escaped Peter] realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying (Acts 12:1-3,12).
If you are under threat for your faith, if you or a brother or sister have been arrested and put into danger, there is certainly nothing wrong with praying about it, or gathering with others and praying together. It is not a lack of faith but a perfectly normal reaction. What else should a Christian do in times of trouble but go to his Father and ask for help, for safety, for deliverance?
3. Flight when possible
When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket (Acts 9:23-25).
There may come a time when we have to run, or when we have to hide. I would say Paul's example, once again, shows us that is not a lack of faith but a very practical response. We know of many such times in history where the early Christians had to do both of those things.
4. Acceptance of circumstance and continuing the work.
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear (Phil 1:12-14).
Paul eventually reached the point that he could no longer run. He was arrested and lived under guard. What did he do? Sit there and cry about it? Ask God, Why me when I have been doing such a good work? No, he just kept working in whatever capacity he could, and trusted God to "give the increase." He knew that to stop preaching would have made the enemy the winner. I know of a brother in another country who, even now, while imprisoned because of his faith, is still preaching and converting souls.
This certainly may not answer every circumstance that might come along, but I hope it will help you think about these things, things that could very well matter in a few years. I pray not, but it's not looking good out there, people. Be prepared and know what you need to do to remain faithful.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! (2Tim 2:8-9).
Dene Ward
RSS Feed