Suppose different members of your religion were put in prison or killed because of what they believed; what do you think others of your religion would do? Would they have a protest march, or something?
Here is the true story of a Church that did something much better, with wonderful results!
“King Herod began to persecute some members” of the early Christian Church. “He had James, the brother of John, put to death by the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews he went ahead and had Peter arrested” and had him “guarded by four groups of four soldiers each. Herod planned to put him on trial in public after the Passover.”
What could this early Christian Church under attack do, to be able to survive “Herod’s power, and ... everything the Jewish people expected to happen”? (verse 4, 11.)
Outside, they seemed to be doing nothing about it! - but they “were praying earnestly to God” for Peter. (verse 5.)
True Christians know they have the privilege of bringing their problems to the greatest and highest Authority - they can bring their requests to their Heavenly Father, the Almighty God. (Luke 11:2-4.)
There have always been people who call God their Father, who have no right to! God is NOT the “Father” of those who want to go on living sinful lives. “He who does what is sinful is of the Devil”! Jesus had this to say to some who were claiming that God was their Father, and yet who did not want to hear and believe all that Jesus taught – “You belong to your father the Devil”! (John 8:42-45.)
But God did hear the prayers of that early Christian Church, and answered in a wonderful way. In prison Peter was awakened from sleep by an angel. “‘Quick! Get up!’ and the chains fell off Peter's wrists … ‘Follow me.’ Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision … The gate opened for them by itself and they went out. They walked down a street, and suddenly the angel left Peter. Then Peter realized what had happened to him, and said, ‘Now I know that it is really true.’” (verses 7-11.)
You see, although the true Christian Church was under attack, it could not be destroyed by Herod’s power, and the evil scheming of religious men. Right up until today, great powers and evil religious people continue to attack the true Christian message. Some of the attackers even call themselves “Christians”! You will know they aren’t genuine because they refuse the message, and the messengers proclaiming that God can and will accept only one Priest and Saviour for sinful mankind - JESUS CHRIST, God’s Son. (Acts 4:12, 18-20, 27-31.)
Is He the Only Priest and Saviour YOU are depending on? (Acts 5:31-32. 4:12.)
See how God was glorified when the Church under attack prayed.
Read Acts chapter 12, verses 1-11.
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