Persecution and church history
1. “Courage Over Caution.”
2. “Trust over Security.”
3. “Discomfort over Comfort.”
WHAT THIS YOUNG PREACHER WROTE ABOUT HAS SOME RELEVANCE TO OUR STUDY OF CHURCH HISTORY.
a) In 303 A.D. a ruler by the name of Diocletian was issuing some decrees against Christians.
b) He ordered church buildings to be burned; Bibles were to be burned.
c) A monument was erected; an inscription said: “The name Christian is extinguished.”
d) About 300 years after the church was established Christianity was supposedly on the way out.
e) 50 Bibles were prepared, at government expense, by the new emperor.
2) Persecution such as that under Diocletian brings us to “courage over caution.”
3) Today many think we should practice “caution over courage.” This is the wrong choice.
4) About 270 years after the church was established, people chose to be vocal about their faith.
5) On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:13) some mockers claimed the apostles were “filled with new wine.”
6) Acts 4 describe how Peter and John were called before some Jewish authorities.
7) Acts 4:29 – Christians prayed for boldness.
8) How long has it been since we have heard a public prayer where someone said, “God help us to be bold”?
9) The apostles were arrested (Acts 5:18), but they did not stop teaching.
Thus, changing the feared thoughts to neutral thoughts. viagra mastercard The final phase assists purchase generic cialis the recovered person to ease back into society with a follow-up program. It is, therefore, the most important viagra india for man to be sexually happy. Positive results of the medication- If taken with proper medical care, the Kamagra shows more constructive results to the user. viagra on sale 10) Stephen was killed and Christians had to scatter (Acts 7-8).
11) James was killed and Peter was imprisoned (Acts 12).
12) Paul – Acts 14; Acts 16; Acts 19; Acts 23; Acts 27.
a) Is anyone demanding our Bibles so they can be burned?
b) Is there any threat like we see in the third century to destroy every shred of the gospel?
13) God’s word teaches us to have COURAGE OVER CAUTION.
a) In the New Testament we often find the word “stand.”
b) 1 Cor. 15:1; 16:13; 2 Cor. 1:24/Gal. 5:1; Eph. 6:11
c) If those in the past were able to stand, why can’t we stand up and be strong?
d) If God required others under more adverse circumstances to STAND, what about us?
A SECOND COMPARISON BETWEEN US AND THOSE IN ANCIENT TIMES IS FOUND IN THE HEADING OF THE ARTICLE REFERENCED EARLIER – “TRUST OVER SECURITY.”
1) The early church was filled with people who trusted in God instead of material goods.
2) Jesus knew this would be a major issue for people so He used expressions like “daily bread.”
3) The Bible tells us faith is belief, but true faith is a lot greater than just belief.
4) True faith means we are also willing to live by the young preacher’s third point: Discomfort over comfort.
5) In many ways America has made people – some of God’s people – soft.
6) Being a disciple of Christ is one of the most challenging this we can ever do in this life.
7) Are we up to the challenge? Will we agree to be courageous, people of faith, and willing to suffer?
